Educational Media Reviews Online

At age 60, Pam White decided to write a book about her mother, artist, Marian Williams Steele, who died of Alzheimer’s disease in2001. During this undertaking Pam, herself was diagnosed at age 61 with early onset Alzheimer’s. Because of increasing problems writing, her son, Banker White, began interviewing his mother and capturing on film her reflections about her mother and on the disease they shared. White and his co-director, Fitch artfully weave together the paintings of Marian Williams Steele, family photos, home movies and the footage they shoot illustrating Pam’s life before and after her diagnosis. The viewer witnesses Pam’s gradual transition from diagnosis through her increasing need for support for activities of daily living. White interviews his mother asking her probing questions with loving respect, addressing her memory issues, the necessity of giving up driving, her mother’s Alzheimer’s, and other issues of her own disease. He and Fitch document the struggle of his father to take care of Pam and finally consent to bring in a caregiver for assistance. They interview other family and friends allowing the audience insight into how they adjust to Pam’s disease and how they cope with her losses. Pam remains charming and insightful throughout the film, maintaining a sweet sense of humor, as she makes alarming forays in and out of the confusion of Alzheimer’s disease.

The story ends with Pam telling her son the story of her life. She ends with, “One little glitch, I got Alzheimer’s… Alzheimer’s doesn’t matter... what matters is friends and family… no regrets, that is just the way it was”.

The cinematography is an interesting blend of home movies and artisan film making. The overall effect adds to Pam’s story and supports the personal sensibility of the people who tell it. Public, school and academic libraries that support human development, nursing, allied health and counseling programs will benefit from having this film in their collections. Those treating Alzheimer’s patients would be advised to use The Genius of Marian to stimulate conversation with patients and family.

Though the film in its entirety is fairly long (84 minutes) it is divided into nine chapters to allow for short selections for different purposes and audiences.

Awards

• Camden International Film Festival Winner, Harrell Award for Best Documentary Feature 2013
• Winner 2013 Heartland Film Festival documentary feature
• Winner 2013 Jury Award Best Feature Documentary Washington West Film Festival
• Audience Award Documentary Feature Personal, Woods Hole Film Festival 2013
• 2014 Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Award