James Cromwell and Geneviève Bujold star in Michael McGowan’s “Still Mine,” a touching true story playing in select Atlanta theaters this month. It is a heartfelt and relatable story that can truly connect with any viewer. Though at first it may seem slow and oddly paced, by the time the credits roll and all of the pieces have fallen into place, it will be hard not to find yourself in tears.
Cromwell portrays 89-year- old farmer Craig Morrison, who is out to build a new home for his ailing wife Irene, played by Bujold. A strongly self-reliant man, Morrison runs into all kinds of legal trouble throughout the construction of his new home.
Minor building codes such as a lack of certified stamps on lumber eventually lead to stop-work orders and possible jail time. Cromwell plays the persistent Morrison incredibly well, avoiding what I expected to become a frustratingly stubborn character. Every decision Morrison makes is bold yet still completely believable and eventually quite inspiring.
From the beginning it is apparent that Morrison’s wife Irene is having mental health issues. Short-term memory loss leads her to endanger both herself and their home itself. From leaving an oven mitt on the hot stove to falling down stairs, Irene causes endless trouble for Craig throughout. This unsurprisingly leads to multiple points where Craig loses his temper with her. It is during these scenes that the viewer is really able to relate to him. Here we get to see what seemed to be a calm and collected man break down and yell at his wife for the things she forgets.
Because this film is truly a love story at its heart, the most important story thread is the evolution of how Craig deals with the trouble Irene gives him. As Irene’s situation grows worse, it is fascinating to see the subtle ways Craig changes his approach to dealing with her.
The film’s rural farm setting offers breathtaking visuals. From the lakeside view of the home’s construction site to the sandy shore of the nearby beach, I was always captivated by the nature on screen. The film’s music also lends itself well to the peaceful yet still somber tone of the story. There is one particular scene toward the end of the film featuring Mumford & Sons’“After the Storm” that had my eyes watering simply due to the perfect match of music and story.
“Still Mine” is an incredibly intelligent film. Characters and plot points that might seem minor when introduced eventually show great significance later on. It really is not a long film, but, in early scenes, I felt the plot was moving a bit too slow. The truth is there is not a single scene in this film that is not there for a reason. As a whole, the film really starts to shine once it all comes together in the end. “Still Mine” is playing now in select Atlanta theaters.
