AWAY FROM HER — *** 1/2 — Julie Christie, Gordon Pinsent, Olympia Dukakis; rated PG-13 (profanity, vulgarity, violence).

Even if the rest of the film was a complete dog, "Away From Her" would be worthwhile simply because it gives Julie Christie so much screen time.

Still luminous in her mid-60s, Christie reminds us why she's long been regarded as such a terrific actress (her friend Al Pacino once referred to her as "poetic").

Her Oscar-worthy performance is definitely the best aspect of this character drama, but the film has some very thoughtful and unexpectedly moving moments.

An adaptation of Alice Munro's short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain," the film examines the more than 40-year relationship between Fiona (Christie) and Grant (Gordon Pinsent).

They've been through their share of ups and downs already, and now she's in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Consequently, they are forced to make some hard decisions, such as whether to place Fiona in a long-term care center.

Understandably, Grant is in denial about the seriousness of his wife's increasingly failing memory. But when she nearly freezes to death after getting lost outside their snowy home, the decision is pretty much taken out of their hands.

Actress-turned-filmmaker Sarah Polley has clearly learned a lot from her mentor, Canadian director Atom Egoyan ("The Sweet Hereafter"). Polley's film has the look and feel of some of Egoyan's better work, though it's not as chilly as some of his films tend to be.

The warmth that Christie and veteran Canadian television actor Pinsent bring to their roles certainly helps, and Olympia Dukakis and Kristen Thomson are very good in support.

The character development here seems real, and much of this film rings true. There are even a couple of nuances in Christie's performance that make you wonder if her character is pretending a bit to help ease her husband's burdens.

"Away From Her" is rated PG-13 for some strong sexual language (including three uses of the so-called "R-rated" curse word), a few other questionable references and jokes, and brief glimpses of violent images (televised warfare). Running time: 110 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com