45 YEARS

By: John ‘Doc’ Strange

45 Years is the story of a couple whose 45^th wedding anniversary is approaching. The couple, Geoff and Kate Mercer (Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling), are retirees enjoying life in rural Ireland. They are planning the party to celebrate their 45^th wedding anniversary, a party that was supposed to occur five years earlier but was postponed when Geoff required bypass (heart) surgery.

The film opens with Kate walking the family dog, Max. Arriving home she gathers the mail and caries it into the kitchen where Geoff is still in robe and pajamas. While she gets a glass of water, Geoff opens a letter and tries to read it. He doesn’t remember much German but apparently his ex-girlfriend Katia has been found buried in a glacier. Recent thaws had stripped away the snow covering on the ice and revealed her body. She had been missing for over 50 years.

Kate is dumfounded as to why Geoff was being notified after all of these years. Geoff slowly reveals that he and Katia had told everyone there that they were married. Katia even had a wooden ring they used in the deception. He said they had to because in those days they would not have been allowed to stay together.

At first Kate is uncertain how to react to this news. As Geoff begins to obsess more about the body and the Swiss’ request that he travel to Switzerland to see the body Kate has more and more trouble dealing with the whole situation.

When the two finally discuss his feelings for the woman, Kate begins to feel like the relationship she and Geoff had was not real. She struggles to find a new anchor all the while going ahead with the anniversary party.

Writer/director Andrew Haigh has given us many insights that come out as we follow Kate. We see the minutiae that make up the life of a couple that have become supremely comfortable with each other. We meet friends and relatives and get a small glimpse into Geoff’s old job in management at a factory.

This is not a fast paced adventure. It is a slow easy stroll through the life of this couple who have to work their way over or through a stressful bump in the road of their life together. As with all marriages, there are ups and downs and rough patches to work your way through.

When the day of the party arrives, you can see that Kate does not feel like she should be there. But Geoff’s speech is perhaps the most heart-felt statement of love I have ever heard. He ends the speech in tears professing his love for Kate.

I can’t say that the speech repairs the fracture in their relationship. Kate’s expression as the two dance is very somber. The filmmaker leaves it up to us to decide what will happen next. I can only hope they are able to work their way past this issue.

Charlotte has been nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Kate Mercer. The film has itself been nominated for the Outstanding British Film BAFTA. This is one of the films you should have on your list for Oscar season. I think you will like it. I found that I did.

Directed by: Andrew Haigh

Cast: Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay

MPAA Rating: R (for language and brief sexuality)

Selig Rating: Full Price

Runtime: 95 Min.

Movie Site: http://www.45yearsfilm.com/

The Selig Rating Scale:

FULL PRICE – Excellent movie, well worth the price

MATINEE – Good movie

DOLLAR – OK movie

CABLE – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.

FREEBIE – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn't paid for it.