Amour

Amour - When elderliness teaches everything about love

By Marie Lahetjuzan
16/11/2012

Cast: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert, Alexandre Tharaud
Directors/ screenwriter: Michael Haneke
Production year: 2012
Colour: yes
Cert (UK):12A
Runtime:125 mins

A film has rarely demystified taboos related to old age as strongly as the new chef d’oeuvre written and directed by Michael Haneke (White Ribbon, Funny Games, Hidden) and winner of the Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or in 2012, Portrayed by three of France’s finest actors: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva and BAFTA award winner Isabelle Huppert (The King’s Daughter, The Piano Teacher), Amour, is a unique representation of elderliness and its effect on the life of a couple. Amour is out this week in the United Kingdom.

Synopsis:

Anne (Emmanuelle Riva) and Georges (Jean-Louis Trintignant) are in their eighties. They have lived in Paris together all their lives. She used to be a talented pianist, as well as a well-respected piano teacher. Now, that they are both retired, they take care of one another, both demonstrating their affection and a deep respect for each other. The flat where they brought up their children is a collection of memories and souvenirs. Life goes slowly until one day Anne has a stroke. Progressively, time stops and accelerates, leading viewers to identify unequivocally with Anne and George’s family members.

Not only is Amour about the beauty of ageing together with one’s true love, but it is also about the impact ageing has on family life. One can’t help wondering whether the person sharing their life at the moment would be able to understand and respect them if one day they became unable to express themselves.

Amour is a film that could inspire any hardened singleton to want to find the soul mate who will accompany them on their life’s journey.  It is incredibly well acted by mature and emblematic French actors. Their exceptional performance gives shivers. Beyond dealing with the taboos of ageing and death, “Amour”is also a unique example of elderly people’s intimacy and it voices issues that they have to face in their everyday lives. What if life was all about finding the one who will help us die with dignity?