Never Steady, Never Still

This quiet, naturalistic family drama set in remote, snowy British Columbia tells the story of a woman living with Parkinson's disease. Her name is Judy (Shirley Henderson), and she is determined to maintain her independence, despite the fact that her condition is getting worse. Meanwhile, Judy's teenage son Jamie (Théodore Pellerin) is beginning to question his sexuality. Judy is an incredibly sympathetic character, but Kathleen Hepburn's debut feature is a slow film that drags in places as some scenes last a little too long. As a result, there are times when one's attention may start to wander. Nevertheless, it also features a number of moments that are quietly heartbreaking (Jamie helping his mother out of the bath), and it offers a sensitive, insightful portrayal of how this debilitating disease affects both the sufferer and the people around them.