The Carer is a feature film that reveals how important compassion and humor are for an individual coming to terms with chronic illness and old age. Renowned actor Sir Michael Gifford (Brian Fox) has retired from the stage and suffers from a rare form of Parkinson’s disease that leaves him weakened and needing personal assistance. Michael’s daughter Sophia (Emilia Fox) wants Michael to live with her, but Michael desires to remain at his large British manor house. His secretary Milly (Anna Chancellor) manages the house and Joseph (Carl Johnson) acts as chauffeur and gardener. Having served as Michael’s dresser during Michael’s acting days, Joseph has known Michael for over 40 years. When Sophia searches for a caregiver for Michael, she accepts Joseph’s idea of hiring a young Hungarian woman Dorottya (Coco Konig) who works in an elder care center nearby. As Dorottya arrives at the manor house, Joseph describes Michael as more than difficult saying, 'he is bloody impossible'. An aspiring actress, Dorottya enjoys quoting Shakespeare as Michael certainly does. She makes him laugh and argues with him. Sometimes their relationship is contentious and Dorottya will give as good as she gets. Dorottya gets into trouble with Sophia as Dorottya tends to let Michael have his way with smoking cigarettes and pushing him in his wheelchair to a local pub for a whiskey and soda. When the Great Britain Critics Guild notifies Sophia that they want to give Michael a Lifetime Achievement Award, Sophia says she will accept the award on his behalf. However, Dorottya supports Michael’s desire to attend the event. Milly and Sophia oppose Michael appearing in public as they worry about mishaps. Sensitive to Michael’s condition and his determination to attend the event, Dorottya takes Michael to the nearby care center where he can try out his speech with Alzheimer patients. Practice pays off and the highpoint of the film becomes Michael’s dramatic appearance at the Critics Guild ceremony; here Michael astounds his audience and daughter by showing why he is such a renowned performer and what he has learned about life. With great acting by Brian Cox amidst a beautiful English setting, The Carer is a strong optional choice. (T. Root)