What It’s About
In earlier days, Edwin Honig was a distinguished poet and professor at Brown University. Now afflicted with Alzheimer’s, he still welcomes regular (filmed) visits from his younger cousin Alan Berliner, though Alan has to identify himself each time. Over time, Berliner gently questions Honig on what he can and can’t remember about his life. Depending on the day, we witness a range of emotions, from humor to frustration. Recent interviews alternate with family films of Edwin in his prime to paint an affecting human portrait.
Why we Love It
This risky, highly personal experiment could easily have felt exploitative, but Berliner’s tenderness and sensitivity towards Honig make it work. Though it sounds difficult to watch, “Cousin” is actually uplifting, and quite profound. The striking contrast between Edwin past and present illuminates a complex human being, warts and all, while shedding light on the devastating effects of this disease.