First Cousin Once Removed (2012)

First Cousin Once Removed is the most recent documentary from director Alan Berliner. It is no secret that Alzheimer's Disease is a terrible illness that is affecting an untold number of people around the world. First Cousin is a very personal documentary that takes a look inside of the mind of poet Edwin Honig as he lost his memory to Alzheimer's Disease.

The Premise

Acclaimed poet, translator and professor, Edwin Honig has given his cousin, Alan Berlinger, permission to film him has he struggles with memory loss due to Alzheimer's Disease. First Cousin Once Removed is filmed over the course of five years and shows, with compassionate honesty, the emotional and physical toll that memory loss takes on the Edwin, his friends and his family.

My Take

There was a moment, in the very beginning of the film, in which Edwin's sister stated that she was afraid this project would be demeaning. She didn't approve that her brother would be shown deteriorating and in such a helpless state. Later, she realized that her brother had in fact given his permission, when he was still lucid, for this project to proceed. She then came to appreciate the impact that such a documentary could make. Edwin Honig was an accomplished poet and respected professor. He wanted to help his cousin, Alan, make a film that would make a difference.

First Cousin was filmed over the course of five years. I can't even begin to imagine the editing process involved in a project this size. I have trouble editing my daughter's Barbie videos. The common theme of this documentary were the memories of Edwin's past. What did he remember about different events/people/times from his past? His responses were edited together to show the lapses in his memory. At different times he could remember different details or sometimes nothing at all. These edits also showed how Alzheimer's affected him physically. As the disease took over his mind, his body began fail. First Cousin illustrated this without ever telling us directly.

There were some wonderful emotional moments as well; good ones as well as sad ones. Edwin had a play-date with Alan's son. They connected through music. Music is very powerful. Musical memories are some of the last to go. They played the piano, hummed, banged, played a harmonica and sang. Unfortunately, Edwin's relationship with his own sons was strained. That was one of the more difficult moments. His memories of them became hazy. That was bittersweet because he didn't remember that they no longer spoke.

Are there memories that we are best off not remembering? Are there things we want to remember forever?
What happens when a creator becomes trapped in his own mind and can no longer create? Can no longer express? Can no longer openly display the ideas that are surely still running through addled brains?

The Verdict

First Cousin Once Removed was a documentary about a very smart a creative man named Edwin Honig, who happened to have Alzheimer's Disease. This film treated him with the dignity and respect that all memory impaired loved ones deserve. It was beautifully filmed and executed  by someone who loved him and set out to make a statement.

If I were to have any critiques, it would be that the typewriter sound effects got old after the first thirty minutes. I understood the point of keeping them in for so long, but I grew tired of the clacking. I give First Cousin Once Removed 9/10 stanzas.


For more information about Alzheimer's Disease click here