Film Review: Amour

Directed by: Michael Haneke. Stars: Emmanuelle Riva, Jean-Louis Trintignant and Isabelle Huppert. Written by: Michael Haneke. Released: February 2013

The first I heard about Amour was back in May 2012, when it won the Palme d’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival.  The second time was during TIFF ’12 (not including the buzz about the film) as I was waiting for Anna Karenina to start, one film critic was talking to another who was going to watch it later and was being warned on how “heavy and emotional” the film is.

Heavy and emotional indeed.

I don’t remember that last time I cried during a film, and I do mean cry and not just get choked up.

The story of an elderly married couple and long retired music teachers, Anne and Georges, after Anne suffers from a stroke leaving her partially paralyzed and her health steadily declines. Georges out of utter love and devotion decides to be the one to take care of her. Visits from their daughter and a former student only serve to reaffirm their isolation from modern society.

Outside of the opening scene, the film takes place inside their apartment. I find it refreshing when a film (or play) takes place in one setting and there is a challenge to it as well for those involved. The setting of the small apartment not only works as a metaphor for Anne and George’s isolation, it becomes more cluttered and cramp looking as the film progresses and adds to that feel. Even medical supplies gather as Anne’s health worsens.  I loved how lived in the apartment looked. The books, music, furniture, dishes scattered all around and the objects that are collected throughout life are all there. Even mold in the grout of the bathroom tiles.  In one scene Anne is looking through old photo albums, in a small but crucial detail, the pictures of a young Anne and Georges are (pretty unmistakably) a young Emmanuelle Riva and Jean Louis-Trintignant. Not the first time this has been done, but it is such a lovely detail that helps add an extra layer to the film and story.

The performances and chemistry of Emmanuelle Riva and Jean Louis- Trintignant is all you want and ask for in a film like this. There is a reason after all why the film is titled Amour and if you didn't have that connection then the film would not work.

Emmanuelle Riva deservingly receives an Oscar nomination and should, but tragically won’t win.  Her ability to portray Anne pre and post stroke, the physical and mental and all emotional elements involved is up there with Daniel Day-Lewis in My Left Foot, Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man, Geoffrey Rush in Shine or even Leonardo DiCaprio in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape to name a few. It is a rich and powerful powerful performance that won't be easily forgotten. 

Equally deserving but sadly overlooked, is the performance of Jean Louis-Trintignant. Although not the stroke victim, it is equally challenging playing a devoted husband turned full time nurse. Georges is not a young man which only adds to his struggle, that wouldn't be easy for anyone at any age to take on. The spectrum of emotions he shows from love, devotion, determination, anger, sadness and frustration, all weigh on him and manifests in his own physical appearance and mental/emotional decline.  My heart broke every time Georges would say “sweetheart” even while feeding mashed up food to his wife or changing her adult diaper. 

Amour is not an easy film to watch. It is heavy and emotionally rollercoaster with powerful performances, and a story that anyone to some degree can relate to. Be prepared for a “heavy” film, but completely worth it in the end.