Amour
Winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes and Best Foreign Language Film at the 2013 Academy Awards, this French drama directed by Michael Haneke (The White Ribbon, Funny Games) examines old age, infirmity and mortality with relentless honesty as it depicts the relationship of a couple in their eighties.
Georges (Jean-Louis Trintignant) and Anne (Academy Award nominee Emmanuelle Riva) are retired music teachers in their eighties whose lives are fulfilled by music and their love for one another. But when Anne suddenly sits staring blankly at her husband one day, it signals the first onset of a mental and physical deterioration that will test their love's ability to endure an inevitable conclusion.
This is the second Palme d'Or that Haneke has won, placing him in an elite category of just seven directors that have been twice honoured with the supreme award at Cannes.
- Director:
- Michael Haneke ('The White Ribbon', 'Funny Games', 'Hidden')
- Writer:
- Michael Haneke
- Cast:
- Jean-Louis TrintignantEmmanuelle RivaIsabelle HuppertAlexandre TharaudWilliam ShimellRamón Agirre
Reviews & comments
A beautiful and moving film
Making a difficult subject into a thing of beauty can only happen so often in the movie world. "Amour" achieves this in style. Although, most of us may avoid such cinema magic, the portrayal of the unkind changes in the later years of life impressed us Loafers. 4 stars from us and noted as a worthy Oscar winner. The topic may have dragged down our score but...
Very slow, but totally engaging, with brilliant acting.
I saw this film at the New Zealand International Film Festival and really enjoyed it. It is an extremely slow film, but I was never bored. The interaction between the caregiver husband and the wife suffering from a stroke and alzheimers was brilliantly acted and I was completely engaged with what was happening. With a surprise show of love at the end of...
Variety
pressThis poignantly acted, uncommonly tender two-hander makes a doubly powerful statement about man's capacity for dignity and sensitivity when confronted with the inevitable cruelty of nature.
The Guardian
pressA moving, terrifying and uncompromising drama of extraordinary intimacy and intelligence.
Los Angeles Times
pressThe resulting interplay of ruthless restraint and unavoidable passion, plus the film's refusal to shrink from depicting the inevitable horrors of physical deterioration, is devastating.
Little White Lies
pressAn exceptional work shows a world-class director still unafraid to lock horns with the profound mysteries of the universe.
Hollywood Reporter
pressConsummate acting helps ease a painful watch, as Michael Haneke describes the ultimate test of love in a profoundly honest study of sickness and dying.
Empire Magazine
pressOld age may not be a reality you wish to confront, but you must see this film.
A.V. Club
pressHaneke being Haneke, Amour is still a bracingly unsentimental film, but it shouldn't be mistaken for heartless.
Variety
pressThis poignantly acted, uncommonly tender two-hander makes a doubly powerful statement about man's capacity for dignity and sensitivity when confronted with the inevitable cruelty of nature.
The Guardian
pressA moving, terrifying and uncompromising drama of extraordinary intimacy and intelligence.
Los Angeles Times
pressThe resulting interplay of ruthless restraint and unavoidable passion, plus the film's refusal to shrink from depicting the inevitable horrors of physical deterioration, is devastating.
Little White Lies
pressAn exceptional work shows a world-class director still unafraid to lock horns with the profound mysteries of the universe.
Hollywood Reporter
pressConsummate acting helps ease a painful watch, as Michael Haneke describes the ultimate test of love in a profoundly honest study of sickness and dying.
Empire Magazine
pressOld age may not be a reality you wish to confront, but you must see this film.
A.V. Club
pressHaneke being Haneke, Amour is still a bracingly unsentimental film, but it shouldn't be mistaken for heartless.
A beautiful and moving film
Making a difficult subject into a thing of beauty can only happen so often in the movie world. "Amour" achieves this in style. Although, most of us may avoid such cinema magic, the portrayal of the unkind changes in the later years of life impressed us Loafers. 4 stars from us and noted as a worthy Oscar winner. The topic may have dragged down our score...
Very slow, but totally engaging, with brilliant acting.
I saw this film at the New Zealand International Film Festival and really enjoyed it. It is an extremely slow film, but I was never bored. The interaction between the caregiver husband and the wife suffering from a stroke and alzheimers was brilliantly acted and I was completely engaged with what was happening. With a surprise show of love at the end...
Share