By Anne Brodie
One of the most enduring marriages in the world of entertainment, between Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon has lasted thirty-seven years. They made three films together – Lemon Sky, Pyrates and Murder in the First and their fourth,The Best You Can opens on Christmas Day. Quite a statement about enduring and enjoying one another personally and professionally – it warms the heart. The film opens as Kyra’s Cynthia is told her much older husband Warren (Judd Hirsch) has dementia; she’s suspected as much but can’t accept it and tells his doctor his best qualities. Still, it doesn’t change anything. His film proposal, gleaned from his time as Chief Counsel on the Watergate investigations is rejected because no one cares anymore?! Warren moves into a care home, leaving Cynthia alone on the house, when one night, she’s frightened by an intruder and even more frightened when Stan (Bacon) a stranger follows close behind. Turns out he installed her fancy new home security system and saw the stranger. Then he tells her he has a private’s problem and hey presto – she’s a urologist and offers to treat him. The two couldn’t be more different – economically, socially, he has a twenty something daughter – she has no due to a medical condition but they hit it off. Their path isn’t easy, there ate plenty of misunderstandings, late night flights, arguments on fundamentals etc. But they stumble through. It’s a gentle ride, no big emotions, a thin plot and they are seriously underused, plus the script lacks verve. A disappointment considering the wealth of talent. In theatres Christmas Day.