“45 Years” won the Silver Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival, the Best Actress Award at the European Film Awards, and is listed by The Guardian as the second best film of 2015, “45 Years” is the rare contemplation of the “after” where most films focuses on events leading up to “happily ever after”.
As the title suggests, this story begins when Kate and Geoff Mercer have been married for 45 years, and are about to celebrate their anniversary by throwing a big party. A letter arrives from Switzerland, telling Geoff that a body has been found. It’s Katya, his girlfriend before Kate, who died of a fall into a glacial fissure during the couple’s hike in the 60’s.
The letter’s arrival forces Kate to face a disturbing past, more by what’s not told than by what’s revealed in the letter. Jealousy of the past is reawakened, threatening the marriage and adding an unwelcome ruefulness to the preparations of celebrating their 45 years together.
About playing Kate, Charlotte Rampling says:
“It’s rare to have two starring roles […] about two people and it’s not about being old, it’s just about being people.”
The Oscar-winner “Amour” by Michael Haneke comes to mind as another rare high-quality script for an aged couple. But while “Amour”s story was very much about getting old and losing the significant other to age-induced ailments, “45 Years” is a relationship drama that has refreshingly little to do with age, other than the fact that the couple happens to be older.
About the film, director Andrew Haight said:
“Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you don’t have the same fears and doubts and regrets and worries you do when you’re 50, or 40, or 30 even.”
Previously having directed award-winning gay-themed dramas “Weekend” and “Greek Pete,” he makes a point that people are people with the same issues in relationships regardless of age and sexual orientation.
“45 Years” is a masterly crafted relationship drama, which feels like a fresh breeze because of the unexplored perspective of the later years of a relationship. The film has received rave reviews and will open in theaters on December 23. And with family time ahead, it may be the perfect film to enjoy together. Happy Holidays!
Film Review: “45 Years”
Reviewed from a Press Screening at Magno Sound and Video, New York, Nov 11, 2015.
Running time: 93 MIN.
Country: U.K.
“45 Years” is released in the US on December 23, 2015.
