Drama, Comedy  •  2007  •  114 min  •  Adults (18+)

The Savages (2007)

The Savages poster

The Savages (2007)


Rating & Dimensions

Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Family Values: Leans Progressive
Christianity: Positive
Judaism: Positive

Viewer Rating
7.9

Overview

Two adult siblings scramble to arrange elder care for a father they barely know, and mostly don't like. Written and directed by Tamara Jenkins, this 2007 drama-comedy sits with the mess of real family obligation rather than its greeting-card version. The Leans Traditional label is mild and mostly reflects what the film lacks: no political messaging, no identity-focused storylines, and a narrative built around personal responsibility and family duty even when that duty is deeply unwanted. The family itself is far from idealized, so this is not a conventional family-values film. The label reflects a quiet center rather than any strong lean in either direction.


Starring Cast

Laura Linney  •   Philip Seymour Hoffman  •   Philip Bosco


Where to watch

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Detailed Bias Analysis

Analyzing...
Leans Traditional

Primary

Political: Center
Confidence: High

The film focuses on the personal and interpersonal struggles of adult siblings caring for their estranged, aging father, emphasizing individual responsibility and emotional processing rather than advocating for specific political ideologies or systemic solutions.

Diversity: Low
Confidence: High

The movie features a predominantly white cast in roles that align with traditional casting practices. Its narrative focuses on personal and family struggles without explicitly critiquing traditional identities or centering DEI themes.

Secondary

Family Values: Leans Progressive
Confidence: Medium

The film portrays a dysfunctional family grappling with the difficult realities of elder care and past resentments, questioning idealized notions of family bonds and parental authority rather than endorsing traditional family values.

Christianity: Positive
Confidence: High

The film depicts a Catholic funeral for Lenny Savage with respect and solemnity. The ritual provides a dignified framework for the characters' grief and emotional journey without any narrative critique of the faith or its practices.

Judaism: Positive
Confidence: High

The Savage family's Jewish heritage is depicted respectfully, particularly through the dignified portrayal of Lenny's Jewish funeral rites and the presence of a rabbi. The film integrates this cultural and religious background as an authentic part of the characters' lives.

LGBTQ: N/A
Confidence: High

The film "The Savages" does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. The narrative focuses on the heterosexual siblings Wendy and Jon as they navigate the challenges of caring for their estranged, ailing father and their own personal struggles.

Trans: N/A
Confidence: High

The film "The Savages" does not feature any identifiable transsexual characters or themes. The narrative centers on the strained relationship between two adult siblings and their aging father, exploring themes of family, responsibility, and mortality without incorporating transgender identity into its plot or character arcs.

Female Combat: N/R

The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.

Gender Swap: No
Confidence: High

The Savages is an original film with characters created specifically for this production. There is no prior source material, historical record, or established canon from which any character's gender could have been altered.

Race Swap: No
Confidence: High

The Savages is an original screenplay, not an adaptation of existing material or a biopic. All characters were created for this film, meaning there is no prior canonical or historical racial establishment to deviate from.

Hinduism: N/A
Confidence: High

Not depicted in the film.


Viewer Rating Breakdown

7.9

Viewer Rating

Combines user and critic ratings from four sources

User Ratings

IMDB logo
7.1
The Movie Database logo
6.9

Critic Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes logo
8.9
Metacritic logo
8.5

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