45 Years

[Blinder Data]

A very good British film. It's about a middle-class couple in their 70s living in the Norfolk Broads who suffer relationship trouble - but it's much more interesting than that.

It felt kind of French to me and I'm trying to work out why. It wasn't just the 'well-off people in the country having problems' setting, but the long silences, absence of music and quiet desperation. The clean photography, Haigh's mannered but understated direction and the feeling something awful was lurking round the corner brought to mind Haneke's Hidden. Another Year is an obvious reference, though this was much less charming.

The performances are bloody brilliant. Charlotte Rampling carries the film effortlessly seeing as the camera never leaves her alone, her inscrutable face giving off small and yet massive hints of her true thoughts. Tom Courtenay was magnificent as a recalcitrant doddery old bugger, a real masterclass in naturalistic acting.

The dialogue was really funny at times too; its characters and references so well-observed as to be applicable and relatable in your own life, as well as serving this story perfectly.

The ending was lovely:

Spoiler alert

no dramatic argument or reveal - better to keep quiet and never speak of what eats away at you and your relationship. Very English and perfect for the story.

[close]

A brilliantly disquieting film - the sort that stays with you.

Plus - though it somehow feels improper to bring this up - watch out for Charlotte Rampling's legs! Phwoar.

[Sam]

Lots of scenes filmed in Norwich. My wife saw this film and loved it, will check it out when it comes out on video cassette VHS tape discs VD.

[Former]

I thought it was an interesting and eminently relateable idea, let down by cliched kitchen sink dialogue, and padded out with endless shots of rural bleakness. (What were they there for? To remind viewers that IT'S A FILM, not a play?)

Found the whole thing a bit cheap and hackneyed really.

[zomgmouse]

Just saw this today. I absolutely loved it.

The acting of course was marvellous, and the way the film slowly unravelled and unravelled so subtly was so great. It's such a brilliant core premise (I haven't actually read the short story so I can't tell how much of it is from there and how much is Haigh though).

As the final dance happens you start paying attention to the lyrics of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and seeing their deeper meaning in the context of the relationship. Truly well done.

Got me more than I was expecting.