Review of Amour (2012) by Regal4Point1 — 03 Feb 2013

It is easy to lose sight of what love truly is. We toss it out recklessly, professing our love for sandwiches and video games. Amour does not shy away from the ugliness of love, as we often do, and instead embraces everything that encompasses a fulfilling, long-lasting relationship. It can be difficult to watch, because it presents its plot with subtlety and shies away from sentimentality. This approach may be challenging for some viewers, and unaffecting to some, but there is a poetic quality to this work that it may be impossible to not appreciate it.

The plot revolves around a musical elderly couple that must face the inevitability of death. Amour's brutal honesty about the subject is portrayed brilliantly by its two leads, both of who deserve award recognition for their work. Their relationship always remains strong throughout this endeavor, although they share different views of how this should play out. You can hardly blame them when they maltreat each other, since the situation is bound to evoke this sort of result. While the rest of the movie is quiet and meditative, the ending in particular brings such a bittersweet warmth through its ambiguity and artistic sensibilities that I was genuinely brought to tears. The film will stay with you after its conclusion, however, and it is sure to spark discussion and leave a lasting impression on you.