According to a study published in 2014, movies generally do not show dementia accurately and may reinforce stereotypes. Here are 10 films that made efforts to portray the reality of Alzheimer’s and dementia for people living with them and their loved ones.
Her husband is played by Alec Baldwin, and her children are played by Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth, and Hunter Parrish.
While some critics found the movie powerful—especially since it’s told by Alice herself—others criticized the movie for holding back when it came to how this familial type of Alzheimer’s may have affected Alice’s children.
After a 30-day separation recommended by the facility) Grant visits Fiona and finds that her memory of him has deteriorated and that she’s developed a close friendship with another man in the facility.
Grant must draw upon the pure love and respect he has for Fiona to choose what will ensure his wife’s happiness.
Christie won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) for her performance in this movie.
Philip Seymour Hoffman was Golden Globe-nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) for playing the neurotic professor who begrudgingly unites with his sister for the sake of their father—a performance given with a rare combination of humility, dignity, and humor.
Stars Donald Sutherland and Louise Fletcher steal the show—Sutherland plays a grandfather with dementia who requires more care than his wife (Fletcher) can take on.
They get help from their grandson (Joshua Jackson) and a home health aide (Juliette Lewis). The two forge a friendship as Sutherland’s character (who insists he can see the Northern Lights from his window) becomes increasingly impaired by the condition.
Noah attempts to rekindle Allie’s memories of their long history by reading to her from his notebook.
Described as a true romance, the movie was directed by Nick Cassavetes, the son of Gena Rowlands.
Martin is a conductor and composer while Barbara is a violinist. They meet and marry in middle age, but soon after, they discover that Martin has Alzheimer’s.
This moving story is considered one of the most realistic depictions of caregiving on film.
Jim Broadbent won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Bayley in his later years.
Judi Dench and Kate Winslet were nominated for Academy Awards and Golden Globes (Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively) for their portrayals of Murdoch at different points in her life.
Naomi is asked to care for an aging neighbor with Alzheimer’s. She is initially unhappy about the arrangement but soon connects with the woman in a transformative way.
While there, John befriends Michael (Vincent Gardenia), who starts showing signs of dementia. When John’s daughter extends an offer to live with her again, he must decide between leaving the rigid structure of the retirement home and staying to help his friend cope.
It tells the story of a lonesome older man named Robert (Landau) who is surprised to be asked on a date by his new neighbor, Mary (Burstyn).
The film takes place leading up to the Christmas season and goes through the couples blooming romance. However, it soon becomes clear that Robert is struggling.
Eventually, we find out that he has Alzheimer’s, and we see a portrayal of “the long goodbye” that many loved ones of people living with the condition experience.
That said, you can still enjoy these heart-touching movies as long as you them for what they are—fiction and not necessarily fact.
