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Assisted Living

Play trailer Poster for Assisted Living R 2005 1h 17m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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76% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Todd (Michael Bonsignore), a 27-year-old slacker working as a nursing home janitor, gets through his days by taking drugs, goofing off and playing seemingly harmless pranks on the elderly residents. But things change after Mrs. Pearlman (Maggie Riley), who is beginning to show symptoms of Alzheimer's, starts to mistake Todd for her son who never visits. One day, Todd must decide whether to pretend to be someone he isn't -- and following his decision, he undergoes a spiritual awakening.
Assisted Living

What to Know

Critics Consensus

An unconventional, heartfelt blend of fact and fiction.

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Critics Reviews

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Wesley Morris Boston Globe 04/29/2005
2.5/4
The whimsy Greenebaum wants to construct can't match the terminal sadness that naturally takes over the film. Go to Full Review Michael Booth Denver Post 04/22/2005
3/4
Assisted Living is a remarkably moving look at the prisons in our midst that most of us manage to ignore until we need them. Go to Full Review Kevin Crust Los Angeles Times 04/14/2005
3.5/5
Authentically unconventional -- opening in the form of an almost convincing mock documentary -- but it gradually evolves into something more deeply affecting. Go to Full Review Prairie Miller Long Island Press 03/26/2007
Sensitively considers the potential for liberation of the mind from the shackles of the aging body, no matter how deteriorated that physical human essence might be. Go to Full Review Lisa Ann Cockrel Christianity Today 09/01/2006
2.5/4
There is a certain meditative grace to the cinematography here, but after a while, well, I was just plain bored. Go to Full Review Eric D. Snider EricDSnider.com 05/15/2005
B-
It's a slight movie, setting a poignant scene but not quite filling out even its running time. Still, I like its wry sense of humor and compassionate heart. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Eric H @RT46026870 Mar 30 Viewed it in the Theater & thought it was very well done with a bit of realism....Ok, I'm a bit biased. Michael is my cousin after all :) See more 05/13/2014 I would not recommend it. See more 05/13/2014 This film wouldn't be the same had it not been shot in an actual nursing home with residents and staff participating. There are some things that just can't be faked or acted, and for anyone that has ever worked in, been to, or visited a loved one in a nursing home, that would be one of them. The relationship that 'Todd' develops with the residents (in particular Mrs. Pearlman), is touching and real, and goes deep enough to make this film thought provoking. Check your IFC listings. See more 05/13/2014 Realistic if strange See more 05/13/2014 it was kinda slow but ended well See more 05/13/2014 Fabulous- real nursing home residents make up the cast!!! See more Read all reviews
Assisted Living

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Elliot Greenebaum

Director

Michael Bonsignore

Todd

Maggie Riley

Mrs. Pearlman

Nancy Jo Boone

Nancy Jo

Malerie Boone

Malerie Skelley

Clint Vaught

Hance Purcell

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Assisted Living

Michael Bonsignore (Todd) in Elliot Greenbaum's "Assisted Living" Michael Bonsignore (Todd) in Elliot Greenbaum's "Assisted Living" Michael Bonsignore (Todd) in Elliot Greenbaum's "Assisted Living" Maggie Riley (Mrs. Pearlman) in Elliot Greenbaum's "Assisted Living" Stars of "Assisted Living" Michael Bonsignore and Maggie Riley Elliot Greenebaum, writer/director of "Assisted Living" Assisted Living (2003) Assisted Living (2003) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Todd (Michael Bonsignore), a 27-year-old slacker working as a nursing home janitor, gets through his days by taking drugs, goofing off and playing seemingly harmless pranks on the elderly residents. But things change after Mrs. Pearlman (Maggie Riley), who is beginning to show symptoms of Alzheimer's, starts to mistake Todd for her son who never visits. One day, Todd must decide whether to pretend to be someone he isn't -- and following his decision, he undergoes a spiritual awakening.
Director
Elliot Greenebaum
Producer
Archie Borders, Elliot Greenebaum, Alan Oxman, Alex Laskey
Screenwriter
Elliot Greenebaum
Distributor
Economic Projections Inc.
Production Co
MomoDog Productions Inc., Economic Projections Inc.
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 4, 2005, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Jan 10, 2006
Box Office (Gross USA)
$41.9K
Runtime
1h 17m
Sound Mix
DTS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)