Still Mine Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An octogenarian carpenter just wants to build a nice, cozy bungalow for his ailing wife, but the local permit office declares war on his perfectly good nails.

🍿 Still Mine: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Enduring Love and a New Challenge

Still Mine introduces Craig and Irene Morrison, an octogenarian couple living on their rural New Brunswick farm. Their stable life begins to shift as Irene shows early signs of dementia, prompting Craig, a skilled builder with a shipbuilder’s legacy, to ensure her comfort and safety. Against the advice of their adult children, who suggest more conventional care options, Craig resolves to build a new, smaller, single-story home on their property. His vision for the new house is rooted in his lifetime of experience and a desire to provide a more suitable environment for Irene as her condition progresses. He plans to mill lumber from their own trees, embodying his fierce independence and deep love for his wife.

Battling Bureaucracy

As Craig embarks on his ambitious building project, he soon encounters significant resistance from local authorities. Despite his meticulous craftsmanship, which often exceeds modern building standards, his lack of adherence to contemporary regulations and permits becomes a major point of contention. A local building inspector, Rick Daigle, issues stop-work orders, citing numerous violations. Craig, a man of strong principles and self-reliance, finds himself in a frustrating and escalating battle against bureaucratic red tape. This conflict not only threatens his dream of providing a safe haven for Irene but also challenges his deeply held belief in individual autonomy and traditional craftsmanship.

Navigating Family Concerns and Irene’s Decline

Amidst his struggle with the authorities, Craig must also contend with the growing concerns of his adult children, particularly Ruth and John. They worry about their parents’ declining health and independence, suggesting alternative living arrangements for Irene that Craig is determined to avoid. The tension highlights the complex dynamics within the family as they grapple with the realities of aging and caregiving. Simultaneously, Irene’s dementia continues its relentless progression, presenting daily challenges and emotional strain for both her and Craig. Her moments of confusion and vulnerability underscore the urgency of Craig’s building project, making his fight against the system all the more personal and poignant.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Craig Morrison (James Cromwell): The determined octogenarian who battles relentless bureaucracy to build a suitable home for his ailing wife on their land.
• Irene Morrison (Geneviève Bujold): Craig’s devoted wife, whose increasing struggles with early dementia prompt his endeavor to build them a new, more accessible home.
• Rick Daigle (Jonathan Potts): The rigid and unyielding building inspector who strictly enforces regulations, creating significant legal obstacles for Craig’s construction project.
• Ruth (Julie Stewart): One of Craig and Irene’s adult children who, out of concern for her mother’s declining health, advocates for more conventional care options.
• John (Rick Roberts): One of Craig and Irene’s adult children who expresses reservations about his father’s independent house-building project given their mother’s condition.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Craig Morrison: “Age is an abstraction, not a straitjacket.” – Said with defiance and determination, emphasizing his refusal to let his age limit his ambition to build a new home for his wife.
• Rick Daigle: “It’s the law.” – The unyielding response from the building inspector, highlighting the bureaucratic inflexibility Craig faces when his building methods are deemed non-compliant.
• Irene Morrison: “What if I forget everything!?” – A heartbreaking cry of fear and desperation from Irene as she grapples with the progressive and devastating effects of her dementia.
• Craig Morrison: “We’re still here, we have each other and isn’t everything else a bonus?” – A tender and profound reflection on the enduring strength of his love and partnership with Irene, prioritizing their bond above all the challenges they face.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,159,336
• Worldwide Gross: $1,552,730

💥 Still Mine Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, *Still Mine* really got to me. I went in expecting a quiet drama, but I was totally engrossed from start to finish. James Cromwell and Geneviève Bujold’s chemistry felt so real; you could truly believe they’d been together for decades. The scene where Craig is just trying to build his home, and the bureaucracy keeps shutting him down, made my blood boil – it felt so unfair, but also so relatable to everyday frustrations. And watching Irene’s struggle with dementia was heartbreakingly tender. It wasn’t over-dramatized, just raw and honest. I left the movie feeling a profound sense of warmth and appreciation for enduring love, but also a quiet anger at how difficult the ‘system’ can make things for people just trying to do good. It’s a true gem that everyone should see.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of character-driven dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about aging and enduring love”
  • “Audiences who appreciate films based on true stories”
  • “Those who enjoy subtle, poignant storytelling”
  • “People who enjoyed ‘Amour’ or ‘Away From Her'”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of aging and the onset of dementia/Alzheimer’s, which may be distressing for some viewers.”
  • “Depiction of bureaucratic frustrations.”
  • “Brief partial nudity.”

Professional Reviews

• The Cinephile Chronicle: “Still Mine is a profoundly moving testament to enduring love and the human spirit. James Cromwell’s portrayal is nothing short of masterful, capturing the quiet dignity of a man fighting for his wife’s comfort against overwhelming bureaucracy. Geneviève Bujold perfectly conveys the heartbreaking reality of dementia, making their journey deeply resonant. A beautifully crafted film that lingers long after the credits.
• Daily Film Digest: “Don’t let the ‘older demographic’ tag fool you; Still Mine is a compelling, universal story about battling red tape and the fierce desire for independence. Cromwell and Bujold share an undeniable chemistry, grounding the film with authentic emotion. It’s a poignant reminder of love’s enduring strength amidst life’s challenges, showcasing powerful performances that transcend age.
• Cinema Today: “Michael McGowan’s ‘Still Mine’ beautifully navigates the complexities of aging, love, and bureaucratic frustration with remarkable sensitivity. James Cromwell is indelible as Craig, embodying fierce independence, while Geneviève Bujold’s portrayal of Irene’s struggle with dementia is profoundly moving. This film offers a genuine, unvarnished look at human resilience, making it a truly rewarding experience for mature audiences.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were deeply moved by the enduring love story and Craig’s relentless fight against red tape.: Audiences consistently praised James Cromwell and Geneviève Bujold’s authentic and heartbreaking performances, noting how the film tackled aging and bureaucracy with sensitivity and relatability.

Overall Consensus: A powerfully acted and emotionally resonant drama celebrating enduring love and resilience against the frustrations of modern bureaucracy, widely praised for its authentic portrayal of aging.

Awards

1. Canadian Screen Award (Best Actor)- 2013

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the real-life story of Craig and Irene Morrison, who both passed away in 2013, the same year the film was released, making the portrayal of their final years particularly poignant.”
• “While the character Craig Morrison is frequently shown using a hammer to build the house, many of the finished construction details suggest that modern tools, such as an air nail gun, were actually utilized for efficiency during filming.”
• “The movie was filmed on location in New Brunswick, Canada, where the actual events transpired, adding a layer of authenticity to the rural setting and the characters’ lives.”
• “Despite its critical acclaim and powerful performances, the film was produced on a modest budget of approximately $3 million.”

🖥️ How to Watch Still Mine?

Still Mine is not widely available on subscription streaming services in all regions, but it can typically be found for rent or purchase on major digital platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube. Check your preferred platform for current availability and pricing to enjoy this heartfelt drama from the comfort of your home.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Still Mine, you might like these similar films:

• Amour (2012): A profound and unflinching drama about an elderly couple facing the devastating impact of illness and the challenges of caregiving, exploring similar themes of aging, devotion, and the realities of declining health.
• Away from Her (2006): Another acclaimed Canadian film that sensitively portrays a couple grappling with Alzheimer’s disease and the profound changes it brings to their long-standing relationship.
• The Straight Story (1999): Based on a true story, this film features an elderly man’s determined, independent journey to reconnect with his estranged brother, showcasing resilience, perseverance, and quiet dignity against life’s obstacles, much like Craig’s resolve.
• Nebraska (2013): Released around the same time, this black-and-white road trip drama centers on an aging, stubborn father and his son, exploring themes of family, dignity, and the challenges of old age with understated humor and poignancy.
• Powder Blue (2009): While not a direct comparison in genre, it features an ensemble cast dealing with various forms of loss and the search for connection, with some characters exhibiting quiet resilience and facing personal trials, aligning with the emotional depth of ‘Still Mine’.

🛒 Still Mine Related Products

• Craig Morrison’s Legacy Wooden Keepsake Box: Hand-crafted from ethically sourced, durable wood, this elegant keepsake box is inspired by Craig Morrison’s master carpentry. Perfect for storing cherished memories or small valuables, it embodies the film’s themes of enduring love and meticulous craftsmanship.
• Still Mine: The True Story Behind Craig & Irene’s Fight (Ebook/Audiobook): Dive deeper into the real-life events that inspired ‘Still Mine.’ This digital book offers an intimate look at Craig and Irene Morrison’s courageous battle against bureaucracy and their unwavering devotion to each other, providing additional details and insights not seen in the film.
• Traditional Woodworking Hand Tool Set: Embrace the spirit of Craig Morrison with a foundational set of high-quality traditional woodworking hand tools. Ideal for beginners or seasoned DIYers, these tools encourage skill, patience, and the satisfaction of building with your own hands, just like Craig.
• Still Devoted. Still Determined. Apparel: A comfortable, premium quality t-shirt featuring the movie’s empowering tagline: ‘Still Devoted. Still Determined.’ A subtle nod to Craig and Irene’s unwavering spirit and a reminder of love’s enduring strength.

🎧 Soundtrack

Still Mine features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “After The Storm” – performed by Mumford & Sons

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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