Midlands Review of Don't Forget Me
midlandsmovies • April 27, 2020
Midlands Review of Don't Forget Me
Don't Forget Me
Directed by Craig MacPhee
2020
4th Wall Productions
Don’t Forget Me is a new drama from Leicester filmmaker Craig MacPhee and discusses the awful consequences of the debilitating disease of dementia.
We open with Cameron (Craig MacPhee) staring into space, and coming to terms with the fact that his Grandma, who he’s always been close to, is suffering from a degenerative condition. A teary Cameron is comforted by his mother (a sensitive Louise Thomas) as it’s acknowledged the family have to deal with their “horrible thing”.
As someone who lost their mum to early onset dementia a few years ago, it was certainly a tough watch for me, with many issues close to home. However, these are handled sensitively by the director and certainly aren’t exploitative.
The family consider lots of options but Cameron volunteers to become his grandma’s carer as they move her closer to home to help and assist her with daily living.
The script is a bit on the nose - everything is explained in full detail in the dialogue – and this has the unfortunate effect of it being tough on actors who slightly struggle get more naturalistic performances. But there’s plenty of emotional scenes that will draw you in nonetheless.
That said, the relationship between Cameron and his grandparent (Evadne Fisher) is heart-warming and there are laughs amongst the sadness. Using photos, music and books to help recollect memories, the film also flashbacks to a young Cameron showing us the inevitable passage of time.
The recurring image of a tea cup being filled seemed to represent some of the repetition of the daily personal routine whilst Cameron’s tears at his ever going frustration was something I could relate to. Being unable to stop the onset whilst seeing problems increase daily, Cameron’s strong support is stretched to its limit. Eventually, Grandma’s recollection of Cameron himself fades in her memory.
A violent outburst leads to a tough decision for the family to move her to a home yet the family ‘s sorrow is still very raw, despite a reluctant acceptance that they all know it’s for the best.
Don’t Forget Me ends up as very powerful film by its conclusion, representing as it does a very accurate picture of the real-life medical condition – but also its sad effects on the family around the sufferer. Although some improvement with the script and a few cinematic flourishes would help, these do not distract from the accurate glimpses into a family struggling to deal with an ill loved one.
In the end, it’ll take a heart of stone to not be moved by the film and its very emotional and honest portrait of frustration and family love and loss.
Michael Sales
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