Amour (2012)
Director: Michael Haneke
Stars: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle HuppertRuntime: 127 minutes
Synopsis: Georges and Anne are an octogenarian couple. They are cultivated, retired music teachers. Their daughter, also a musician, lives in Britain with her family. One day, Anne has a stroke, and the couple's bond of love is severely tested.
Performances: 10/10
Screenplay: 9/10
Editing: 9/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Screenplay: 9/10
Editing: 9/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Verdict: A horror movie without actually being one, Michael Haneke's "Amour" tells the haunting story of an elderly couple whose love for one another is tested when one of them suffers a stroke.
What makes the winner of the 2012 Palme d'Or such a devastating watch is its portrayal of the illness, and how it affected both Georges and Anne, amazingly portrayed by Jean-Louis Trintignant and the late Emmanuelle Riva. It's not easy to witness the person with whom you shared a good portion of your life with fall into that downward spiral, with no solution in sight, and it's not easy to realize that you're starting to lose control of your body and mind, and only becoming a burden on those you love. You can immediately tell that this story is a very personal one for Haneke, who was 70 years old at the time of the film's release and therefore close to the main characters' ages, and you can tell that he perfectly understood the movie's themes and how to approach them in the best possible way. Not only is "Amour" beautifully shot, but it's also very much driven by its protagonists and how realistic their bond was. It's impossible not to sympathize with both of them, and you'll be left an emotional mess by the end of it. The film's depressing nature and slow pacing may turn off some viewers, but if these obstacles usually don't take you out of a movie, then consider this one a must.
What makes the winner of the 2012 Palme d'Or such a devastating watch is its portrayal of the illness, and how it affected both Georges and Anne, amazingly portrayed by Jean-Louis Trintignant and the late Emmanuelle Riva. It's not easy to witness the person with whom you shared a good portion of your life with fall into that downward spiral, with no solution in sight, and it's not easy to realize that you're starting to lose control of your body and mind, and only becoming a burden on those you love. You can immediately tell that this story is a very personal one for Haneke, who was 70 years old at the time of the film's release and therefore close to the main characters' ages, and you can tell that he perfectly understood the movie's themes and how to approach them in the best possible way. Not only is "Amour" beautifully shot, but it's also very much driven by its protagonists and how realistic their bond was. It's impossible not to sympathize with both of them, and you'll be left an emotional mess by the end of it. The film's depressing nature and slow pacing may turn off some viewers, but if these obstacles usually don't take you out of a movie, then consider this one a must.
FINAL GRADE: 9/10
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