Sad and depressing, but it does score a certain number of poignancy points. Possible Spoilers Ahead!! -- I didn't realize that the film was basically about Dame Iris's descent into Alzheimer's well, so I wasn't expecting it to be so sad and depressing. Of course if I'd known what it was about, I would have expected that, since sad and depressing is pretty much it for anyone with that disease. I have never read any of Iris Murdoch's books, so it didn't affect me viscerally. Kate Winslet is so winsome and talented, and it showed here. She is fantastic in everything I've seen her in. Judi Densch was masterful in portraying the progression of the dementia. I found the rapid cuts between the older and younger characters to be quite effective in drawing out the emotion, while it may be a bit lacking in moving the narrative. Overall while this film has stellar acting performances, the subject matter makes it less pleasant to watch. Grade: B-
