Review of Amour (2012) by Alex H — 23 Feb 2013

I've never been interested in Hanake's shockers, but Cache (Hidden) bemused me enough (and I'm not bemused easily!) that he instantly became one of my most respected filmmakers. I'll say straight up I don't usually go for movies with Amour's setup - slow disintegration by disease is too convenient as a dramatic device and it usually makes me yawn. It's too easy to tug on heartstrings by showing the mounting indignities that come with terminal illness. However, Hanake has no interest in sentimentality nor pandering, and as a result the emotional power in Amour comes slow and natural and complete. Incomparably resonant storytelling, this.

I won't say I was never bored - it is Hanake, after all - and I wish the camera were a teeeeeeny bit more alive - it is Hanake, after all. But, "for what it is", this movie is roughly speaking about as perfect as it could be. Hanake +1.