Whether it is films like Still Alice, The Father or Black, Three of Us and Goldfish, thankfully, Alizheimer's in cinema is more than just memory loss; it is about how this disease fades away a person, and so does everything attached to them!
Most life-threatening diseases are terrifying because they threaten the end of life itself, but Alzheimer's is uniquely devastating. It is not just a medical condition; it’s a profound unravelling of identity, memory, and selfhood. As the disease progresses, it strips away the ability to recall personal experiences, recognise loved ones, and perform basic tasks, leaving behind only a shell of the person who once existed. What makes Alzheimer's even more tragic is that it erases the essence of an individual, as memories—the core of who we are—fade, disconnecting the person from their own history and relationships.
Despite its devastating nature, Alzheimer's has found a deeply emotional connection in cinema. After all, cinema is a powerful medium for weaving together memories, even in fictional form. Filmmakers have sought to raise awareness and evoke empathy for this silent thief of minds through these portrayals. While many films address Alzheimer’s, five in particular approach the subject with poignant sensitivity, offering unique perspectives on the slow fading of a person and the emotional, psychological, and social toll the disease takes on both the afflicted and their loved ones.
Here's how they do it!
Black (2005)
SLB's film takes a broader view of disability but powerfully addresses Alzheimer's through Debraj Sahai, played by Amitabh Bachchan. While the film focuses on the relationship between blind and deaf Michelle and her mentor Debraj, it later explores Debraj's descent into Alzheimer's. Once a brilliant teacher, the disease strips him of his independence and communication skills, tragically reversing roles as Michelle cares for him. The film delves into themes of isolation and identity, highlighting how Alzheimer’s robs individuals not only of memory but also their ability to connect with others.
Still Alice (2014)
The film follows Alice Howland, a renowned linguistics professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. Julianne Moore’s powerful performance captures the devastation of a woman painfully aware of her decline as it highlights Alice’s gradual loss of independence as she tries to fight the disease but is ultimately overwhelmed by it. Though what makes this filmunique is its focus on the internal experience of Alzheimer's, seen through Alice's eyes—her confusion, fear, frustration, and the toll it takes on her. It shows how Alzheimer’s doesn’t just erase memory but strips away a person’s entire identity, leaving only fragments of who they once were.
The film offers a subtle yet powerful portrayal of Alzheimer's. It focuses on a married couple, where the wife shows early signs of dementia, emphasizing the quiet moments that reveal the creeping loss of memory and identity. But what sets it apart from the rest despite its touch on the emotional strain of caregiving, particularly within a marriage built on shared memories, is its exploration of the small, often overlooked moments of life that Alzheimer’s gradually erases. In this film, with solid performances by Shefali Shah, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Swanand Kirkare, the disease becomes a push to find oneself again and a meditation on memory, love, and the quiet devastation that comes from losing oneself piece by piece.
The Father (2020)
Very similar but still different from Still Alice, this film offers a haunting portrayal of Alzheimer's from a unique angle- as it places us inside Anthony's disoriented mind as his reality unravels with dementia. Shifting timelines and changing characters mirror his confusion, making us experience dementia's unsettling impact firsthand. Hopkins delivers a raw performance, portraying a man losing his memory, autonomy, and dignity. His relationship with his daughter (Olivia Colman) forms the emotional core, capturing the heartbreak of watching a loved one fade and the agony of a parent-child bond torn apart by dementia.
The film uses Alzheimer’s as a backdrop to explore memory, identity, and relationships. The film portrays the disease as slow-fading, not just of the person afflicted but also of their connections to the world. Anamika and Sadhana’s fractured relationship, brilliantly essayed by Kalki Koechlin and Deepti Naval, highlights how the disease devastates families and strains bonds, forcing individuals to confront the fragility of memory and relationships. The film is a quiet yet powerful meditation on the toll Alzheimer’s takes, not only on those suffering but also on the loved ones left to pick up the pieces.
What brings these films together is that despite their unique perspectives and sensitive portrayals, they tend to weave a story about a person experiencing a sense of losing themselves while desperately clutching on to the ache of trying to remember. After all, as humans, we are nothing without our memories and this haunting disease strips exactly that away from us!
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