Andrew Haigh (Greek Pete, Weekend, Looking, 45 Years etc)

[DukeDeMondo]

I haven't seen 45 years yet, but holy fuck, everything else I've seen of his has been wonderful.

Greek Pete, his first film, is really interesting. Cast are all rent boys and their clients clatterin about Soho, sometimes acting, sometimes not - very similar to Rude Boy in that respect. https://youtu.be/z3KVNR0Y6FI

Weekend - anyone who's seen this loves it, except for the folk that think it's a bunch of mumblin hipster shit. https://youtu.be/2IFbcWG1F9o

45 Years I haven't seen yet. https://youtu.be/qXAnjA9tAnQ

Looking, HBO telly series, is very soapy, right enough, and it is, but it's spot on and beautifully observed and the characters are gorgeous. https://youtu.be/-Lp7rkNYOtE

Anyway, Andrew Haigh. He's a good un, no?

[Blinder Data]

I've only seen 45 years but I really enjoyed it. Started a thread but seems not many people caught it in the cinema.

http://www.cookdandbombd.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,49734.0.html

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.

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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.