45 Years (2015)

Drama, Romance

Director: Andrew Haigh
Writers: David Constantine, Andrew Haigh
Starring: Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay, Geraldine James, Dolly Wells

Actors Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay play Kate and Geoff, a retired childless couple whom we find in the week leading up to their 45th wedding anniversary. One morning, Geoff receives a letter that informs him that his old lover Katya has been found frozen, perfectly preserved in ice in Germany, where she disappeared while they were on a hike together in the 1960s. As the news appears to really affect him, Kate seems to realize her relationship with her husband is not really what she always thought it was.

Writer/director Andrew Haigh (Weekend) has a sensitive understanding of relationships and this makes 45 Years an extremely good portrayal of elderly marital life, but what really stands out in this one is the perfectly convincing performance of veteran British actress Charlotte Rampling, who gives us an on-screen tour-de-force. Her face and eyes throughout the film convey more than any witty dialogue, and the last scene is one of the most sparely devastating moments in cinema.

Plot summary from IMDb: A married couple preparing to celebrate their wedding anniversary receives shattering news that promises to forever change the course of their lives.

Awards: Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 19 wins & 48 nominations.
Runtime: 91 min
R