45 YEARS (Andrew Haigh). Written by Haigh from a short story by David Constantine, with Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling. 95 minutes. A Mongrel release. Opens Friday (January 22). See movies. Rating: NNNN
Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay deliver an acting clinic on how to convey big emotions with huge restraint in this near two-hander from Andrew Haigh (Weekend).
On the eve of Kate and Geoff’s 45th anniversary, Geoff finds out that the body of his girlfriend of 50 years ago has been found. Kate’s known about the ex, but Geoff’s strange behaviour – suddenly seeming to long for his youth, rifling through old photos – plants seeds of doubt that could unravel their marriage.
Haigh gives the film a gorgeous melancholy tone and shoots long takes in two-shots to uncover every nuance of the relationship. But it’s the actors who create the most magic, Courtenay smoking furtively, speaking in broken cadences – notice his walk as he exits a liquid lunch – and the Oscar-nominated Rampling conveying a wave of feeling without uttering a word.
Don’t miss our interview with Tom Courtenay here.
