By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 5 cats
Director: Andrew Haigh
Starring: Charlotte Rampling | David Sibley | Dolly Wells | Geraldine James | Sam Alexander | Tom Courtenay
Country: united_kingdom
Year: 2015
Running time: 95
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3544082/combined
Bruce says: “Haigh’s feature follow-up to the critically acclaimed WEEKEND (not counting the ill-fated TV series, LOOKING), demonstrates his artistic consistency. Charlotte Rampling is nothing short of sensational as a wife whose 45th wedding anniversary celebration is skewered by ghosts and revelations. Tom Courtenay is very good as her long suffering husband. Reminiscent of John Huston’s THE DEAD. 5 cats”
Kyle says: “Rampling’s immensely moving portrayal of Kate, loving wife on the verge of celebrating 45 years of marriage to Geoff (Tom Courtenay), who receives a letter announcing discovery of the frozen corpse of his girlfriend from 50 years ago, the victim of a mountain climbing accident in Switzerland, brings into dramatic focus a tragic event that threatens not only their current happiness, but also their future together. Rampling’s performance offers earmarks of the very greatest acting: subtle shifts in tone and bearing from casual activities like walking the dog and talking with the postman, to serious conversations about life-and-death matters only partially comprehended; transition of her humor during dancing about not being 20 anymore into her disappointment about her husband’s erectile dysfunction; concern about noises in the night changing to grief upon being handed a photograph of the long-dead girlfriend; the sly tranquillity with which she engages in most of her conversations and relationships, concealing as much worry about her husband’s increasingly erratic behavior, as her capacity for a carefully controlled emotional outburst. 45 YEARS is about the passage of time — changing weather, ticking clocks, ringing church bells, anniversary celebrations — none of its signifiers sadder than Rampling’s eyes as she ascends into the attic to look at photos of an emotional rival dead for decades, fearing if not quite knowing that the secret she will uncover is undimmed in its potential for anguish.”