45 YEARS (2015)

2/24/2016 - 45 Years (2015) - 7-/10

Superbly acted (especially Rampling) with a simmering intensity of truth and brewing unease. Competently directed, but not flashy. I will say that I love the psychology in use with the staging, segmentation, and progression (as the tension ratchets up, the establishing shot of wilderness and freedom gets smaller and more enclosed, mirroring the psychology of the piece and the main character). Taught inference suffuses everything; the acting, sets, and direction. That may make for a slower and listless piece for some, but it was certainly worth it.

I will say that the story felt a bit lax for a film of this quality. Although it is so much inference and deep emotion, it is really straightforward. It is a quiet and somber film that will get to you emotionally, especially if you have some point of reference or have been in a long relationship, I feel.

I really like this film, but I did not love it. The distinct quality of what it does the best made it worth this rating.