The Goodbye

This brief drama presents the story of Emily, a 70-plus grandmother increasingly afflicted with memory loss who is trying to hold onto her independence. Emily's two daughters must struggle with their daily problems while deciding how best to help their mother in this mini-drama "based on true events," written and directed by Katherine Surridge. One daughter must balance the demands of husband, adult children, and self-employment, and she resents the freedom and choices available to her single sister, a situation that finally comes to a boil one day when Emily wanders away from home. While The Goodbye has moments of poignancy and insight, the brief running time prevents the story from developing very far; rather, the program's main function seems to be to establish "talking points" concerning the truths of a family struggling with Alzheimer's disease suitable for a group discussion on aging and memory loss. Recommended, with reservations, for healthcare professionals and libraries serving senior centers. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)