Tamara Jenkins

Film maker Tamara Jenkins wrote and directed the comedies 'Slums of Beverly Hills' and 'The Savages,' and the new film 'Private Life.'

In Tamara Jenkins' new film The Savages, two 40-something siblings have to put their lives on hold while they learn how to deal with their elderly father, who's slipping slowly into dementia.

The film — it's a comedy — stars Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney, plus Broadway veteran Philip Bosco as their ailling dad. (Watch a clip.)

Jenkins' previous film work includes The Slums of Beverly Hills.

"Slums" is Jenkins first screenplay and directorial debut. Robert Redford read her script while she studied at the Sundance Filmmaker's Lab in Utah. Redford became the film's Executive Producer.