Review of 45 Years (2015) by Patrick L — 17 Aug 2016

"45 Years is both a daring and provocative look into the dramatic effects of a long-term marriage. Courtenay and Rampling give terrific performances in this heartbreaking drama".

Movie Review: 45 Years.

Date Viewed: April 22 2016.

Directed By Andrew Haigh (Greek Pete and Weekend).

Screenplay By Andrew Haigh, Based on the short story "In Another Country" by David Constantine.

Starring: Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay, Geraldine James, Dolly Wells, Max Rudd, Sam Alexander, David Sibley, Richard Cunningham, Kevin Matadeen and Hannah Chalmers.

"45 Years" is a beautiful small drama about an elderly British couple going through a crisis in their marriage. They are about to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary but a devastating secret threatens to destroy their marriage. Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling (who received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for this film) give terrific performances in this heartbreaking film from writer and director Andrew Haigh (Greek Pete and Weekend). This shattering drama is both a daring and provocative look into the dramatic effects of a long-term marriage.

Mostly set in the English countryside, "45 Years" is about an elderly British couple, Kate and Geoff Mercer (Rampling and Courtenay) who are about to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. A week before they can celebrate with their friends and family, Geoff receives a letter in the mail from Switzerland. It says that the body of his first lover, Katya was discovered in the frozen icy glaciers of the Swiss Alps. Geoff told Kate about his relationship with Katya years earlier but soon Kate begins to uncover secrets from Geoff's past and those secrets alone could put their long marriage in jeopardy.

Superbly acted by the two leads, "45 Years" is a perfect acting showcase for Courtenay and Rampling. It maybe an emotional lightning rod but "45 Years" is a terrifically quiet adult drama.