The acclaimed feature film Away From Her screens on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven.

An accomplished directorial debut by Canadian actor Sarah Polley, Away From Her is a touching exploration of the effects of Alzheimer’s, with a wonderful performance from Julie Christie.

The film also features Michael Murphy as Aubrey, a patient, Olympia Dukakis as Aubrey’s wife, and Kristen Thomson as a nurse at the facility.

Instead of treating old age as the winding down of life, this film portrays it as a potentially rich, enjoyable period. While so many films portray older characters in a one-dimensional way, Ms. Polley’s film portrays its characters as multifaceted people filled with wisdom and true beauty, thanks to their age and not in spite of it.

The Washington Post said of the film: “Rarely has love at any age been depicted so honestly on screen. For such a fully realized portrait to be created by a 28-year-old first-time director is even more remarkable.”

Doors open at 7 p.m. and admission is $8, or $5 for film society members. The 2007 film is 110 minutes long and rated PG-13.