Two Weeks - A Movie Review

This is what being here is all about.

Two Weeks is a 2006 film about four siblings who gather at their dying mother’s house in North Carolina. Though challenging and sad, they bond in laughter, tears, and stories.

You’d think a movie about hospice care would be totally emotionally draining, but Two Weeks is the type of film families need to heal. I enjoyed this film more than I thought and it was therapeutic. Two Weeks is upfront about the dying stages. No matter what, we’re facing things together.

The ever-magnificent Sally Field plays Anita, the proud mother of her four kids. Fields conducted a heartfelt and courageous performance. She manifests each stage of her character’s fading body very well. Anita’s humor never fades, making jokes and talking about memories with her family.

Ben Chaplin, Julianne Nicholson, Tom Cavanagh, and Glenn Howerton play four siblings. Each actor shines in their role bringing depth and vulnerability. Their dynamic is the most important part of the film. The film captures the messy, unfiltered moments of family life, where laughter can emerge even in the darkest times.

The situation takes a lot out of the family, sometimes losing their tempers. Not as close, this time allows them to see each other in a new light. They have to face unspoken history and rivalry if they’re going to make it through this time.

More credits include Clea DuVall, James Murtaugh, Michael Hyatt, Susan Misner, and Jenny O’Hara. Special mention to Michael Hyatt as a hospice nurse. Hospice care workers deserve more praise for the humble care they provide patients. Being there matters.

One of Two Week’s greatest strengths is its humor. Humor is often a coping mechanism. The story features a sad premise, but the film levels a balance between grief and levity. Dark humor is another addition.

Two of my favorite scenes in Two Weeks are the dinner table scene and the siblings cackling over a funny joke. It’s a gross scene with everyone spitting out their food, but it’s a family moment. One other hilarious scene is the young granddaughter learning an inappropriate phrase from the adult siblings and saying it in an airport.

One has to understand how to make a film like this and Steve Stockman masters authentic portrayal and emotions. He based the story on the death of his mother in 1997. Stockman also does a commendable job of pacing the film, allowing space for both introspective moments and dynamic exchanges between characters.

I liked how the scenes played out. Scenes are short and to the point with each scene fading into the next. We don’t see everything occur onscreen.

The film does not shy away from the harsh physical and emotional toll of terminal illness. A lot of Anita’s discomforts reminded me of my aunt’s decline. This movie is very relatable to me when my aunt was dying from cancer and had to go into hospice care. Similar to this story, she also had two weeks. Regrettably, I didn’t visit her enough because I was afraid. My aunt went through different stages, but my family recounted how she made them laugh.

Two Weeks should be assigned to families undergoing or have endured loved ones in hospice care. It’s not an easy time for anyone, but this film helps with the process. It shows you the right care methods, how to put on a brave face, and how to be with your loved one.

Two Weeks is a bittersweet film for anyone who needs help healing. The subject matter isn’t for all audiences. It’s worth checking out for the performances and story.