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This film about the ravages of Alzheimer's disease is based on a novel by Ulla Isaksson. Esteemed Danish director Bille August, who also wrote the screenplay, brings it to theaters.

Make sure you don't go into this film thinking this is just another made-for-TV movie about the disease. The performances of the main characters will make you forget these people are actors.

Martin Fischer (Sven Wollter) is an acclaimed composer-conductor who catches the eye of violinist Barbara Hartman (Viveka Seldahl, Wollter's real-life wife). They are both trapped in loveless marriages and begin flirting. After a whirlwind romance, they quickly divorce their spouses and marry each other. We see images of their life together: composing music, laughing, and making love. However, their happiness is soon brought to a halt when Martin is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Martin becomes more distant, and Barbara gives up music to care for him. She even sets up a second honeymoon in Morocco to remind them of their first trip together. We see Martin standing to the side, staring blankly, while Barbara carries in the luggage. This is in stark contrast to the early part of the film, when Martin carried Barbara across the hotel lobby.

The reviews of this film have been overwhelmingly positive. It has been nominated for and won numerous awards at film festivals worldwide. Most of the awards have gone to Wollter and Seldahl for their brilliant performances. Do yourself a favor and go see this moving picture when it comes to a theater near you. (Marty Doskins/BOP)

Vital statistics for A Song for Martin Main Cast Sven Wollter, Viveka Seldahl, Reine Brynolfsson, Linda Kallgren, Lisa Werlinder Supporting Cast Peter Engman, Klas Dahlstedt, Lo Wahl, Kristina Tornqvist Director Bille August Screenwriter Bille August Distributor First Look Pictures Trailer Click Here for Trailer (Danish) Official Site http://www.moonlight-film.dk/asongformartin/ Rating PG-13 Running Time 117 minutes Screen Count 2 Awards Nominee, Best Film, 2002 Bodil Awards Nominee, Best Film, 2002 Guldbagge Awards Awards page for A Song for Martin Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture