Directed and adapted for the screen by Sarah Polley, Away from Her is an award-winning Canadian film based on Alice Munro’s short story “The Bear Came Over the Mountain.”

A touching and well-delivered love story about the unpredictable complications of living with Alzheimer’s disease, the film follows the lives of Grant (Gordon Pinsent) and Fiona (Julie Christie), a couple that has been married for fifty years, as they cope with the drastic change in lifestyle brought about by Fiona’s increasingly dramatic memory loss.

No longer able to ignore her Alzheimer’s, Fiona decides to check into the local nursing home. However, due to the facility’s policy regarding new patients, Grant is barred from visiting Fiona for the first thirty days of her stay. Reluctantly, Grant agrees to Fiona’s wishes and takes her to the nursing home.

In the initial thirty days, Fiona loses most of her memory of Grant, and her affections turn to a fellow nursing home resident – her “coping partner.” Grant must watch as his beloved wife slips further and further away, into the arms of another.

The winner of seven Genie Awards, Away from Her not only boasts an enchanting story, but an extremely talented cast, beautiful cinematography, and an appropriately contemplative soundtrack. Julie Christie’s performance was also recognized in the form of an Oscar nomination for best actress, which she certainly deserved.

This film is highly recommended, especially when watched in the company a loved one. (Lionsgate)