Review of 45 Years (2015) by M C — 27 Mar 2016

It has been a long time coming but Charlotte Rampling finally received an overdue Oscar nomination and deservedly so. In 45 Years she proves what a fine actress she is making the whole thing effortless and real.

She has often portrayed jagged and complex women and her role here as Kate is no exception to this. Kate and husband Geoff about to reach their 45th wedding anniversary with a large party being held to celebrate the occasion.

In the days before the celebration, Geoff receives a letter which informs him that the body of his first girlfriend has been located after she was lost in a mountaineering accident before he and Kate met.

This news reopens long repressed memories in him and the secrets unleashed bring turmoil and anguish to the couple. Tom Courtney plays Geoff and he is great in the part of the emotionally confused and slightly ham fisted man.

We watch the couple try to come to terms with the tragic news and the implications for them and the realisation of how different things might have been had the tragedy not occurred. I was reminded somewhat of Jane Eyre by aspects of the plot, with Kate being haunted by an unseen presence in the attic as her husband rekindles his memories using old photos and diaries stored in their loft.

This is a quiet movie about love, loss and the effects of ageing. As such, it is a beautifully told and masterfully acted tale dealing with adult themes in manner that allows the space needed to be both effective and affecting.