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Smart script saves The Savages from being a total downer

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The Savages, Tamara Jenkins’ tale of a brother and sister reuniting to care for their aging father, could have been a complete downer, and the arguments over parental abandonment and nursing home care are real and honest, but Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney also bring a real chemistry to their familial roles, and the smart script never shies away from some of the comedic moments that can crop up even in the most depressing times. Rated PG-13. Out on DVD now.