Review of Amour (2012) by Chihoe H — 11 Feb 2013

My mind was in a blank after watching "Amour," except for this thought: What have you done to my eternal soul? I remember stepping out of the theatre feeling very drained and light-headed because of the intensity of the emotions I'd unknowingly invested while keeping my eyes glued to the screen.

It's been over a month still I can't help but think of it, with sadness, with fondness, with incredulity, with reverence. There is something so simple and understated about how "Amour" was presented despite the nature of the subject.

It's slow pace allowed the narrative and the riveting performances of Emmanuelle Riva and Jean-Louis Trintignant to simmer and stir in the audiences' minds and hearts, leaving a lasting impact and legacy.

Director Michael Haneke deftly captures the tenderness in a bloomed relationship, and the courage of loving someone even when that love is tested by factors beyond control. From the opening scene, one can already tell "Amour" wouldn't be an easy story to tell; and indeed, its brutal honesty turns the dial up further on how heart wrenching the circumstance could possibly be.

This is one of those films that can change people, and if not, it has done some good in bringing to focus the sensitive topic it involves. My vote for this year's Best Picture definitely goes to "Amour," and even if it doesn't win, it will forever have a place with me as one of the most affecting films ever made.