Watch now for £1.99

“See Away From Her for Julie Christie’s performance,” said the Evening Standard of this drama. “And go and see it because it is quiet and subtle, and reminds you that there’s more to life than coming out on top.”

Perhaps the most elegantly poised film of last year, Away From Her focuses on the relationship of Fiona (Julie Christie) and Grant (Gordon Pinsent) as they enter into old age.

When it becomes increasingly apparent that Fiona is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and that her husband is too old to care for her without help, their relationship is thrown into sharp focus.

While the couple deal with the imminent reality of a nursing home, old wounds come flooding back to the surface.

“The film’s suggestion that past grievances may emerge in later mental illness,” wrote Time Out, “is as intriguing as the accompanying sense that liberal attitudes of the ’60s have come to haunt this bookish couple.”

“This is a deeply impressive and intelligent film,” said The Guardian. “Actor-turned-director Sarah Polley, at just 28 years old, has shown remarkable maturity and flair with her adaptation.” Polley based the screenplay on a short story by Canadian literary powerhouse Alice Munro.

Though a critical hit upon its release, the film is now benefiting from the accompanying glare of its lead actress’s Oscar nomination - and rightly so.

“A cliché-free Julie Christie has never been better,” agreed the Radio Times, “but it is Pinsent’s affecting restraint of an ultimately trickier role that really carries the picture.”

Get BT Vision now | More FILM on BT Vision

Tags: Away From Her, drama, Gordon Pinsent, Julie Christie, Olympia Dukakis, On Demand, Oscar-winners, reviews

On your V-box™: Browse Vision Film > Film A-Z > ABC > Away From Her