An intensely moving, bittersweet feature as an ageing couple face the onset of infirm dementia following Anne’s (Emmanuelle Riva – Hiroshima My Love, Three Colours: Blue) stroke.
Cultured and sophisticated, ensconsced in their large and comfortable Paris apartment, Anne and Georges (Jean-Louis Trintignant – The Conformist, Three Colours: Red) look to live out the end of their days after 50+ years of marriage. But the stroke and gradual physical and mental decline challenges their bond of love.
Writer/director Michael Haneke (The White Ribbon, Hidden: Caché) delivers an emotional, compassionate tour-de-force, unflinching in its presentation of the slow decline towards death. Essentially a two-hander (Isabelle Huppert – Elle, The Piano Teacher, London-based, is an occasional visitor), Amour is breathtaking in its power and emotional punch.
Nominated for 5 Oscars in 2013 including best film, director, actress and original screenplay, won 1 for best foreign language film.
Rating: 92%
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