They’ve been together more than 50 years.
Ella has stopped treatments for cancer and John has Alzheimer’s disease.
“You stole him from me and I want you to give him back.”
Verywell Health/ Laura Porter
The film reflects their love and determination as they face end-of-life changes.
His daughter Anne (Olivia Colman) moves to London to assist with his care.
The film has been used to educate medical students about dementia.
Sony Pictures
So he begins his quest to kill the man rumored to be responsible.
The 2015 film from director Atom Egoyan is a thriller rather than a “feel good” film.
It aired on BBC One in the United Kingdom rather than as a box office release.
Sony Pictures
People in the United States can catch “Elizabeth Is Missing” on PBS Masterpiece.
It’s among the films studied for their depiction of dementia diseases.
The film takes place leading up to the Christmas season and goes through the couples blooming romance.
Bleecker Street / Official Trailer
However, it soon becomes clear that Robert is struggling.
Laura Linney was Oscar-nominated for Best Actress, and Tamara Jenkins was Oscar-nominated for Best Original Screenplay.
Aurora Borealis (2005)
Entitled Entertainment, Rick Bieber Productions, and Front & Centre Prod.
DirecTV Cinema
Critics considered this movie a well-crafted independent film that was released under the radar.
They get help from their grandson (Joshua Jackson) and a home health aide (Juliette Lewis).
Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams play the couple in their younger years.
BBC One
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.
Sony Pictures
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.
Naomi is asked to care for an aging neighbor with Alzheimer’s.
Mongrel Media
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.
Gerritsen DL, Kuin Y, Nijboer J.Dementia in the movies: The clinical picture.Aging Ment Health.
North Sea Films, Parts and Labor, and Sterling Productions
2023;34(2):109. doi:10.1080/14739879.2023.2178333.
“What They Had”: A film about love, family, and Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Association.Younger/early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Schweda M.Medical gazes and meteorological metaphors: Representations of dementia in contemporary motion pictures.Isr J Health Policy Res.
2019;8(1):18. doi:10.1186/s13584-018-0283-3.
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Pittsburgh.Alzheimer’s disease and ‘the long goodbye’.
Entitled Entertainment, Rick Bieber Productions, and Front & Centre Prod. Inc.
New line Cinema
Film i Väst, Helkon Media, and Moonlight Filmprod
BBC
100m Films
HBO
