Still Mine is an appealing film with great heart that is highlighted by a wonderful performance by James Cromwell as an ageing family man who is caught up in a battle with the local bureaucracy when he tries to build a new house for himself and his wife. Filmed in the New Brunswick town of St. Martin's as well as locations in Ontario, I found the characters of the man and his wife, Irene, played superbly by Genevieve Bujold, to be honest and even inspirational. Cromwell's character, Craig Morrison, was totally devoted to his wife and in building a new house for use in their advancing years, he took on a job few men of 87 would even consider. In doing so, he found his dedication to quality questioned by the local authorities who wanted lumber, for example, stamped to signify proper building codes. The fact that his own lumber surpassed the codes in many cases did not meet the letter of the law. Cromwell found himself under a great strain trying to deal with his wife's dementia and the expectations of his family, while battling the authorities. The two leading characters had great affection for one another and it was very moving to witness the attraction they felt and the love they shared. The supporting acting was generally good with family friends, Margaret and Chester, middle-aged children, Ruth and John, and the attorney, Gary, who didn't bill his client and in return, was granted a parcel of land by the generous farmer. Films about older couples seem to be trending upward in recent years; however, it is refreshing to see how elders perceive their lives and cope with a world that often treats them as an annoyance.

Director/writer Michael McGowan has done a brilliant job here, not that the seasoned actors James Cromwell and Geneviève Bujold didn't make it possible; they will leave you in awe by their acting.The story is based on true events and people, which makes it all that more compelling, but how simplicity and basic reality often needs no added flavouring and no dramatization as it alone can touch you at the core, is what McGowan made his script to be and let the actors do their thing. That is what and why I call it brilliant. Craig and Irene Morrison played by Cromwell and Bujold are as endearing as any couple of any movie you've ever seen, more so if it's possible. If you felt or believed seniors did not have a sex life, think again; but it makes for romance as it should be and love as it can and ought to, caring devotion being the driving force of their relation.The key characters are sympathetic and embody all the great qualities one would want from people, real people. Even the children of Craig and Irene who at first may not seem so sympathetic, of course turn out to be just as caring and loving as their parents. The only unsympathetic character, if you discount the ambiguous relation Craig has with neighbour Chester, a friend and a very good one, also something you discover with time, is that of city bureaucrat Rick Daigle, played by Jonathan Potts. He's not evil by any means but just the typical face of bureaucracy as we expect it, too impersonal to be sympathetic and of course the foe a story needs. Potts does his portrayal as well as it needed to be, without turning the movie into what it's not; again what I also attribute to good writing. The IMDb full storyline, by Huggo, has all you need to know about the movie's plot (click the Plot Summary link, below the Storyline paragraph) and I suggest you read it. I'll just add one slight spoiler by saying it ends on a very positive note, one for which you'll breathe a sigh of relief. It's not the first movie to deal with the subject of Dementia, not the overwhelming 'motif' of the movie, but it was in my humble opinion a movie that showed the kindest and most heartwarming way actors have treated how their characters live with it. Critics and moviegoers alike have given the movie good to high ratings and praise, justifiably so, to Bujold and Cromwell for their work. I could not agree more strongly. The camera work is done so well it seemingly draws you to the subtle craft of Cromwell. Now that I have mentioned it, you'll have a chance to notice it when you go see or rent the movie, and I recommend you do. You will not regret watching this movie, especially if you are doing so with anyone you care about. Try to hold back your tears if you can, but I expect anyone with an ounce of feelings will find that a challenge.

You must have seeing plenty of romantic movies about reckless love involving the blooming young and the middle aged love with an understanding of a level higher. But you have not seeing love if you have not seeing Still Mine. This movie is a wonder of romantic genre thought it speaks of a tale of romance that is 61 years old yet getting strong day by day. After being married for so long and seven children of their own and grand kids the Morrison's keeps the flames burning strong. Craig Morrison (James Cromwell) and Irene Morrison (Geneviève Bujold) are an old couple living in their farm residing in the bliss of old age. Craig though is in his 80s still strong and healthy devotes his time to take care of his wife Irene and her needs when she starts to show signs of declining memory. And he decides to build another more manageable home for them knowing the challenges he will have to endeavor in future. But challenged by the local authorities about the standards of the construction the Morrison's affection grows stronger and their will power is tested. The true beauty of Still Mine is in the sheer sweetness of the old couple. Even how aged and wrinkled they are the romance between them and their true understanding is simply overwhelming. James and Geneviève beautifully portray the characters in a way that the viewers would shed a tear seeing them in love. Each scene they are together is so wonderful that even their eyes speak. Still Mine delivers powerful emotions throughout and anyone would want such fairy tale old age I'm sure. Still Mine is a Canadian production directed by Michael McGowan. And it is based on true events.

"We're still here, we have each other and isn't everything else a bonus?" Craig (Cromwell) and his wife Irene (Bujold) are in their 80's and beginning to feel it. Craig is being hit with new regulations on his farm and is unable to adapt as fast as he needs and Irene is beginning to show signs of dementia. Rather then admit they need to enter a home Craig decides to build a new home on their land that is smaller and easier for them to manage. Once again Craig is hit with new regulations that hinder his process but some things are harder to break then laws. Going in my first thought was...an old guy building a house, sounds exciting. It didn't take long at all for me to realize how wrong I was. The movie is filled with heart and the roadblocks Craig has to go through make you want to throw something at the screen. The fact that this is a true story makes it that much more touching. Overall, much much better then I expected, if you liked Amour you will like this as well. I really enjoyed this much more then expected. I give this a B+.