User reviews

My Review - Ruby's Choice My Rating 7.5/10

I found this movie a very entertaining intelligent and refreshing insight into a many of the ordinary everyday problems that many Australian families are experiencing in the 21st Century even including a hilarious response from Ruby which I must remember next time I get one of those intrusive scam phone calls that try to tap in to our internet.

Primarily the topic of Ruby's increasing dementia and the effects on her life and her families life are at the core of this film but there are many more layers to it.

Ruby is so effectively and sensitively played by actress Jane Seymour who said she was channeling her own mother for the role and was reminded of her own mother's battle with Alzheimer's.

It's not a big budget blockbuster or a paced moving movie but it's honest to the core.

Jane Seymour who's movie and television career spans well over 50 years is also a skilled painter and jewellery designer .

In fact she painted all her own artwork in the movie Not only that she even provided her own wardrobe which features a red felt hat and red ruby feathered pendant which is symbolic to her of her own mother plus it's also from her own exclusive jewellery collection.

It's great to see an established award winning actress generously give equal screen time in a movie to shine a light on newer talent .

Coco Jack Gillies who plays Ruby's Granddaughter Tash has some of the best moments for me in this film and is an actress I haven't seen before but will watch out for . Natasha or Tash is reluctantly at first assigned to care for her much loved Grandmother and in doing so discovers a history that she was never aware of before .They make a great team and have fun even in adversity when it's obvious to Tash before anyone else that Ruby's grasp on reality is fading fast.

The rest of the ensemble cast that make up this family are excellent also Jacqueline McKenzie as Ruby's daughter who finds it difficult to admit that her mother is falling into dementia as well as Stephen Hunter as Doug her husband with a penchant for junk collecting.

The movie is about the ordinary everyday problems like dysfunctional relatives temporarily moving in , retrenchment, balancing a budget on a shrinking income plus emotional revelations that would be hard for any family to cope with but they do so with a spirit of acceptance and a sense of humour.

Director Michael Budd and writer Paul Mahoney have managed to tackle an often depressing subject that needs exposure with reality and dignity.

This family at the conclusion of the film all know each other in a better way and are all better off for having Ruby in their lives and for the choice that Ruby makes.

If any message can be taken from the story it is that the minds of elderly people with dementia may be severely handicapped by their illness but it mustn't diminish their life experience and their humanity It was encouraging to know that this film that was funded by the Glenn Family Foundation, will donate 50% of profits to the Dementia Foundation for Spark for Life, which aims to bring back the spark of life back into the lives of people with dementia through the Dementia Care International's innovative Model of Care.

Go and find out what Ruby's Choice was ? I think you'll enjoy it.

It's attack of the mediocre Aussie film - but this one has the right intentions, a few nice songs and locations and but a great cast but that's unfortunately where it ends. This film has very poor storytelling and lackluster execution in directing. The film is an easy watch, but at the core its BASIC - it really doesn't evoke much heart, you feel sorry for Ruby at some moments but you DONT really feel her journey. The film suffers from many different problems, one being that it didn't have the correct structure, it didn't know which direction it was going in. The film played it very safe and didn't go all the way exploring dementia at its fullest. There are some strange scene jumps and strange awkward editing that leave you confused. There is a huge lack of music which could have helped drive the bad writing and also some very cringy moments - usually around teens doing things that are odd and unnatural. It suffers from repeating tropes from other films instead of trying to create its own originality. I mean you can see from the lack of love for the trailer and especially the amateurish poster that this was going to be a basic film, the poster says it all. Adding to that was the very basic cinematography, the lack of lighting correctly and over lighting most scenes was a shock especially when they somehow convinced Jane Seymour to appear in this film. There was nothing visually aesthetic about the look of the film and it looks like a student possibly color graded the film. I really wanted to like even love this film, but it didn't land at all, and I have seen the director's horror film - which they reference in the film as being a great film and that is a horrible film - which I will also review after giving it a second watch. Overall, a basic easy film to watch, shot nicely but basically, stellar acting by Jacquelline McKenzie and Jane Seymour and most of the cast. Misses the mark by a longshot because it doesn't pull on any emotions and it just didn't connect.

This film provides a good life lesson for many young people. There is something to be gained by being patient and listening to older adults. The fine acting and directing in this film is apparent from beginning to end. Even though we know where the film is going, it is still an enjoyable trip. Michael Budd has a promising future in film. Giles does a fine job as the granddaughter asked to share her room with Jane Seymour (and if she is denied, I would be glad to have her as my roommate). This is fine family entertainment with a brain, so feel free to bring your older children to see it. I finally got some good use out of my free passes. One of the few good films of 2022.

Ruby (Jane Seymour) lives alone and is struggling with dementia. Her husband died 5 years ago, but she keeps expecting him to come home. She hasn't kept up with the bills and she almost burns down the house. She is forced to move in with her daughter Sharon (Jacqueline McKenzie). Sharon's husband Doug (Stephen Hunter) fears for his job and their daughter Tash (Coco Jack Gillies) is frustrated to share her room with her grandmother. It doesn't help that her uncle and angry cousin Jack (Sam Rechner) have moved into the crowded home. At school, Jack either ignores Tash or downright bullies her.

This is effective family drama dealing with an aging elder. The actors are great led by veteran Jane Seymour doing some dementia acting. Sometimes, people do too much, but she does fine. If I would make one change, I would eliminate the Pirates from the story. There is just a little too much stuff in the two hours long movie. The climatic scene with the Pirates bullying kinda comes out of nowhere. That scene would work better with Jack's friends. Jack could come in later and deal with the situation. That seems more fitting.

Saw US premiere screening of this Australian film at SBIFF, and was fortunate to have the opportunity to hear from the Director/Producer Michael Budd (who also had a small part in the film - look for him!), and Jane Seymour (the "Ruby").

The film provides a glimpse into daily life and the impact of Alzheimers on families, and on those experiencing dementia. Beautiful acting by three generations of strong women, with Jane Seymour as Ruby, her daughter, Sharon, played by Jacqueline McKenzie, and her granddaughter Tash, played by Coco Jack Gilles. Coco gives an exceptionally powerful performance, and we very effectively see the declining mental health of her grandmother through this teenager's eyes, coincidentally as their relationship and bond grows.

Elements of humor keep the film from being depressing, bringing appreciation and hope into the story. And it was great to hear that 50% of the profits from the film are going to the Dementia Foundation for Spark of Life, an Australian-based charity.

Quietly humorous in its portrayal of a family trying to care for a mother & grandmother who has dementia. Honest, unflinching and sensitive portrayal of a family coming to terms with the changes a dementing illness causes, and the effects on the whole family. Showing the responses of the health system and available community services to a family in need was brutal but accurate.

Jane Seymour was wonderful. The rest of the cast are all excellent and Tash the granddaughter (Coco Gillies) is an absolute delight.

Congratulations to all involved in the writing and making of this movie - beautifully done.

Like many Australian movies this movie as well intentioned as it is had many flaws. To start with there are too many main characters and a few too many family issues to deal with in one movie. It has also been made on a low budget and that is telling. Poor location settings, bad lighting and poor sound mix and production don't help this intense and emotional drama. Having been through dementia with my own mother I could certainly identify with what what happening to Ruby (Jane Seymour) but also had some issues with the way her decline was portrayed. It was all pretty depressing. I fondly remember some very funny moments with mums demise. Her frank and fearless commentary about her life which was often at others expense, her forays into a fantasy world and her getting lost and once ending up at the races and being taken back to the home by police. Having said that Jacqueline McKenzie gives a stellar performance as the daughter and the young woman who plays the granddaughter is also good (Jack Gillies) . Stephen Hunter as the father is excellent as the husband. There are many confusing things in both the plot and the structure of the film but it does give the audience a strong insight into the whole condition of dementia. 3 stars.

A moving well-written film with great performances from the cast. The dialogue is smart with some of the most authentic Aussie characters I have seen on the screen. The touches of humour strike just the right tone.

On the 3rd March I was so blessed to be able to go and see the premier of Ruby's Choice, a heartfelt film about an Australian family navigating the challenges of their mother/grandmother's dementia diagnosis. Jane Seymour plays Ruby, a strong, artistic, wise and loving woman who carries herself with such grace you can't help but completely adore her. What I love about this film is that despite her cognitive decline, the true essence of Ruby, her history, her wisdom, her strength is never far from the surface. Whilst her family struggle with the diagnosis and how to adequately support her, the strong and loving relationships, especially between Ruby and her granddaughter Tash (played by the extremely talented Coco Jack Gillies), really shine through and show us that the power of love can overcome the most difficult of life's challenges. This film will touch your heart.

This is a beautiful Australian film, Jane Seymour is amazing as Ruby , I thought her performance in Ruby's Choice was so sensitive possibly her finest work of her career, everything about this film is perfect cast. , direction, script, definitely a must see!

Good movie. Realistic and lots of interesting details.

But one thing confused me. The guy and his son who moved in with Sharon and Doug. - Whose brother is he? If he's Sharon's brother, then .... more details needed. And if he's Doug's brother then Ruby isn't Ned's grandma.

My friend and I argued over this for awhile.

Ruby's Choice is a heartfelt and moving movie about a grandmother that has dementia. It is a story about family coming together and loving each other. It shows how people living with dementia can have an intense impact on their life and the life of their family and still live life with dementia.

Jane Seymour gives a stellar performance. I felt like I was going through every emotion with her throughout the whole movie. The whole cast gave a brilliant performance.

I highly recommend seeing Ruby's Choice as soon as it comes to your city!

This is a wonderful movie, with great portrayls of the exceptionally well crafted characters by the entire cast and especially Jane Seymour in the role of Ruby.

The storyline is so well woven and is a topic which touches so many. It is thoughtfully and lovingly delivered so as to give a real sense of the effect dementia can have on an extended family. Its humour is brilliantly delivered from Rubys treatment of scam callers, to how she drops honesty bombs on Doug.

I'd absolutely recommend this film to anyone.

This movie presented the awful journey of Alzheimers within the entire family.it was sensitively portrayed, while being humorous and very real. Main characters were very believable as were their responses on this journey. While I related closely with the tragedy of this family journey I couldn't help but feel positive and hopeful the way the journey progressed. Well done. I feel sure this movie highlights the failures also of our healthcare system in caring for our frail aged. I also appreciated that Ruby's alzheimers was only one part of her beautiful character and only one issue that this family were needing to deal with. Very real.

Thoroughly enjoyed this movie which evoked different emotions watching this family come to terms with their loved one's Dementia - Humour, thought provoking, sad and "feel good" moments.

Really enjoyed this movie. Well written script. Gives the viewer an insight into the everyday issues faced by families caring for a loved one with Dementia. Also gives you an awareness into the mind of the person with the Dementia. Great acting! Having been through the dementia journey with a family member myself, this movie was real with great hidden messages.

Though the theme was serious, I could not stop laughing. Though funny it did not loose the seriousness of the topic of dementia. With the ups and downs and life cycles and issues that may come up. This movie portrayed this very well without loosing itself ir going in different directions which it was able to do but stayed the course. Well done to the directors and all the cast.

Jane Seymour played her role very well she was very convincing she really brought the story to light. As a veteran in the business the supporting cast did brilliantly in their support in amidst such talent.

I will be definitely be recommending this movie.