Amour, a French language film by acclaimed German director Michael Haneke, is a meditation on mortality and its effects on the lives and love of two happily married octogenarians. Not exactly the most romantic notion but it is inevitable and while this film is quite bleak two outstanding performances are given by the leads, Emmanuelle Riva (Anne) and Jean-Louis Trintignant (Georges). This is a blessing because the movie, with the exception of a concert, takes place entirely within the confines of a quiet and stately Parisian apartment. What’s more, there is no score which adds to the foreboding and only a couple of respites when music is actually played by the cast (Anne was an accomplished pianist). The lack of music is quite unsettling as you follow Georges going about his daily life and you hear moans of pain or a muffled crash in the background. The story progresses quietly, so quietly, in fact, a lady a row up started sawing logs midway through the movie.

It is a tough movie to watch, and not because it’s slow but because of the subject matter and powerful performances. Riva deserves the Oscar for best actress as her elegance and grace slowly withers away before your eyes. This is the first Haneke film I’ve seen; he’s a great director and, judging by a dream sequence in the movie, he could make one hell of a scary movie. If you’ve had the misfortune to watch a grandparent die this is an unflinching portrayal; I wouldn’t recommend seeing it if you’re still haunted by such an experience.
Dramas aren’t exactly my cup of tea and this is by all definitions a drama but it is never melodramatic. I think it’s a good film nonetheless and if you’re ever too happy and need to be brought down to earth this is your ticket to somberland. It’s not all doom and gloom though (but mostly). When Georges tells his wife there are still stories he hasn’t told her after decades of marriage or when he is still beguiled by her beauty after a night on the town, it is evident that there is still a spark of romance after so many years. It is their love that helps them trudge on to the bitter end.
I think Mudhoney said it best when they sang, “Time is running out/but at least I’m running out with you.”