5/5
This film has been called dreary, depressing, and dismal, and I agree. It is a sad film, one where its heartbreaking conclusion is known and we are meant to sit through the slow processions until we end up at that point. It is, however, a mesmerizing ride. Michael Haneke, the filmmaker behind this true artistry, is one of my favorite filmmakers because he does not shy away from the tough stuff; rather, he embraces it. He revels in the darkness of the human soul and somehow, even with subject matter like old age, death, and desperation, he manages to find hope. The film's title (which is French for "Love") is no mistake. This is a film about love, and what love will push people to and away from.
There are very long shots of what seems like nothing, but it is within these shots that Haneke's genius lies: people live their lives doing ordinary things, and by capturing that, he succeeds at one of the base goals of filmmaking which is to make the characters relatable. We see these two elderly people eat, watch a concert, talk, sit, and I was moved to tears by the end because I felt like I knew them. They were, essentially, people in love and people who were close to losing it.
Putting the inspiring filmmaking aside leaves room to talk of the actors, Emmanuelle Riva (nominated for Best Actress at the 2012 Academy Awards) and Jean-Louis Trintignant (unjustly robbed of a nomination) are revelatory. Their love is palpable and it keeps us watching when the throws of old age envelop them, and us, in sadness.
This movie was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Foreign Language Film, winning Best Foreign Language Film. I am relieved to know that the Academy is willing to nominate and award such challenging, "art house," and foreign fare. If there was ever a film to garner such respect, this one deserves it. Its honest imagery and brutal reality will stay with me forever, and that is something to cherish.
Suggested by Mimi L. on this page:
http://licacfilm.blogspot.com/2013/07/suggest-films-for-review.html?showComment=1373220243712#c7780678843943451987
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Ha! I enjoyed the read! We have very similar thoughts on this film. Haneke's filmmaking is almost universally lauded as skillful, impressive, even a bit edgy. But... I'm a bit more reserved in my praises for the actors though (in this specific instance); you just don't see the type of "maturity" like that of other old actors, say Clint Eastwood, Chris Walken, Michael Caine etc.
ReplyDeleteIf you're interested, check up my review! (Yes, I'm also starting on a blog reviewing films but I don't have that many posts yet so it's not public still. And you may very well be my first visitor haha!)
http://faussefrancaise.tumblr.com/post/54919860683/amour-michael-haneke
-Mimi L