What They Had, written and directed by Elizabeth Chomko 8 out of 10

What They Had, written and directed by Elizabeth Chomko
8 out of 10


Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon, Robert Forster and Blythe Danner are all wondrous artists.
So is Taissa Farmiga, sharing the genes of the one I think is her mother...Vera Farmiga.

What They Had benefits also from a poignant, heartbreaking story.

Bridget aka Hilary Swank has to return home because her mother is worse.
Nick aka Michael Shannon is her brother and he has called Bridget.

The rather apocalyptic, but rather accurate assessment of the brother is not approved by Burt aka the wondrous Robert Forster, their father.
In fact, his character is one of the most compelling, fantastic of the film.

He is a Role Model.
A role model in that he loves his wife more than most people can even contemplate.

He does not want Her committed to an asylum, no matter how good it sounds.
True, his son has a point when he states that Ruth, his mother, is getting worse.

She suffers from amnesia and in the latest incident she had just walked away from the house.
Ruth forgets who are the people in her house.

She thinks Burt is her boyfriend at times and then she also has no idea who he and the others are at other moments.
Nick explains that his mother had been "hitting on him".

She is unaware of her situation and things would only get worse.
This is the conviction of the son.

The spouse on the other hand feels that if they travel to Florida, Ruth would get better.
Bridget is caught between those extremes.

She can see her father's admiration, loyalty, love for her mother.
But she can also understand that Nick has a point.

Bridget is also confused, somewhat unhappy in her own relationship.
She finds when going to church with her parents and old friend.

They are even considering a rekindling of their old flare.
As they are about to get very intimate, kissing and eventually going further- maybe all the way- Nick interrupts the tender moment with cynicism.

He may be right...again?
For this old boyfriend does something outrageous in the aftermath.

He was invited to change locks to prevent Ruth from walking out again.
His bill is a staggering $ 500.

Bridget's spouse is right in stating that for that money, he could have changed locks for the whole village.

What They Had is about love, respect, family values and loyalty...