45 Years

In select theaters
December 23^rd 2015

95 minutes

English

U.K.

Married for 45 years, without children, Kate and Geoff Mercer are poised to celebrate their wedding anniversary with a party, when Geoff receives a letter that shakes both of them. The letter, from Switzerland, lets him know that a body has been found: that of Katya, his girlfriend before Kate, who died falling into a fissure in a glacier when the couple were on a walking holiday in 1962. Geoff tells Kate that he was regarded as Katya’s next-of-kin, since they had been pretending to be married. Though Kate continues to prepare for the party, and the couple shares some romantic excitement about it, she becomes increasingly disturbed by Geoff’s preoccupation with Katya. Screen legends Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay won Best Actress & Best Actor at the Berlinale for this emotional tour-de-force from acclaimed director Andrew Haigh (Weekend).

77% on the CINEMETER

BOCA

66% - Dec 13, 2015

Two great performances by two professionals who didn't seem as if they were acting. Charlotte is incredible for portraying a range of emotions with just her face! Ponderously slow at times, but it still grabbed me
Boca Raton Member

It picks up in the second half when Kate learns of Katya's pregnancy.
Boca Raton Member

Music was very well chosen. A heavy film that explores what secrets can do to a marriage.
Boca Raton Member

A sensitive look at the autumn of our lives. Very realistic reflection of daily ordinary activities with the lighting and landscape reflecting the lack of colour in their lives.
Boca Raton Member

STL

82% - Dec 13, 2015

Story begs the question for Geoff at the beginning, for Kate at the end--what would life have been like had I been married to someone else. Courtney and Rampling are superb in a well written script. Their scenes together and their conversations are like watching the musicians of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra playing together in perfect syncopation. I shall never forget Courtney's speech at the anniversary party. For those of us married for 25-40 years, it is a remarkable film with astunding performances to which we can relate and ponder.
St. Louis Member

Excellent, moving, and works beautifully on every level. Metaphors are superbly deployed. Reminds one of "Scenes from a Marriage" - only better. Range of emotions on Charlotte Rampling's face is amazing.

St. Louis Member

This was on one my favorites. It was so powerful – but with subtle metaphors. I thought it was so real. It conveys how complicated life can be. So many things to say about this! So many details!

St. Louis Member

Kate's face at the end of the film was so filled with emotion that it truly affected me, almost made me weep.

St. Louis Member

The film was Bergmanesque . . . but with more dialogue. Rampling's performance is brilliant especially in its insightfulness. Great film.

St. Louis Member

This was a masterpiece of cinema--timeless story, fine portraits.
Best part: not a trite, easy ending.
St. Louis Member

MIL

84% - Dec 13, 2015

Slow moving but beautifully filmed movie which explores old relationships and the results of decisions made in our youth.
Milwaukee Member

I loved the ending!
Milwaukee Member

Excellent performances. The film dragged a bit several times.
Milwaukee Member

Very slow but seemed much better after the discussion.
Milwaukee Member

Touching--although slow.
Milwaukee Member

Subtle, restrained story that looks at regret. Rampling and Courtney are well-matched as a couple. Thanks for sharing this film!
Milwaukee Member

ATL

83% - Dec 13, 2015

A perfect example of fine British acting and filmmaking. Both actors gave amazingly nuanced performances! Terrific!
Atlanta Member

Subtle and devastating.
Atlanta Member

Charlotte Rampling is phenomenal. No dialogue necessary--her face was so expressive.
Atlanta Member

Really amazing! The skill and sensitivity of the acting was what made this film work. Watching this film was like having a window into the real life of a marriage.
Atlanta Member

The husband's painful secret becomes the wife's painful secret--the frozen past casting its shadow on the present.
Atlanta Member

Andrew Haigh wrote and directed a meaningful film of sincerity and humanity in all its complex beauty. Loved this film!
Atlanta Member

Maybe it was just my mood today, but the pacing was just fine with me. The mundane-ness was perfect counterpoint to Kate's dramatic discovery in the attic. Kate's expresson at the end was tremendously moving.
Atlanta Member

So so sad. Very realistic portrayal of the challenges of marriage and why one in two fail. You can always find reasons to be sad and disappointed. Kate chose to be too questioning, doubting and miserable.
Atlanta Member

73% - Dec 6, 2015

The best movie I’ve seen all year! It is such a wonderfully realistic portrait of a long marriage and the different ways men and women deal with their emotions. Charlotte Rampling is a deep vessel of eye movement, physical movement, facial expression, lips, eyebrows and hands.
Washington, DC Member

Lovely film – not a false note! I’ve been married 45 years and it rang true to me. Wonderful to see Geraldine Jones again after The Jewel in the Crown.
Washington, DC Member

Loved the pacing, the scenery, the score and I especially loved the complexities of the relationship and the ending of the film. The greatness of the acting goes without saying.
Washington, DC Member

Well done – I appreciate that the filmmakers did not dumb-down the film and that it could be interpreted in many ways.
Washington, DC Member

A 45 year sacrifice exquisitely exposed. We’ve all made one, but don’t ever take it out and look at it. Here, the prism shifted. Exquisite!
Washington, DC Member

BOS

89% - Dec 6, 2015

Loved the acting and cinematography
Boston Member

Acting was wonderful (several times)
Boston Member

Oscar performances for both leads
Boston Member

Very impactful
Boston Member

Heartbreakingly honest and true to life
Boston Member

Incredible portrait of a couple, painfully sorrowful.
Boston Member

Loved the film
Boston Member

So much said with so few words
Boston Member

68% - Dec 6, 2015

Pulled out all the stops about youthful misadventures that, when unresolved, come back to haunt us. Very poignant and well done.
Greater New Haven Member

The acting was so exceptional it was sometimes hard not to hold your breath! The intensity of their feelings and their talents were amazing.
Greater New Haven Member

Brilliant performances by the two leads. Very emotional evolution of a marriage. Very confusing conclusion.
Greater New Haven Member

Welcome back, Charlotte Rampling. Her glorious face showed every nuance of her decline of affection and realization of the implication of a long kept secret. Bravo!
Greater New Haven Member

74% - Dec 6, 2015

Beautifully told story - nuanced but clear unfolding of what we reveal and what is actually stated in a marriage. Charlotte Rampling says more with her eyes than words could ever express - perfection!
San Francisco Member

Nice to see a film acknowledge the messiness of love and life, not to mention focusing on older characters (masterfully played by Courtenay and Rampling).
San Francisco Member

Amazing portrayal of an older REAL couple. I am sure there will be those who find it S-L-O-W but it developed at a very organic pace.
San Francisco Member

Rarely do I see a film that I feel doesn't need editing; this was one of them.
San Francisco Member

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