Chances are if you've seen a Michael Haneke film you've been impressed. From 71 Fragments Of A Chronology Of Chance to both versions of Funny Games to The White Ribbon...the man just knows how to make a film. His newest---Amour about an elderly married couple is perhaps his best so far. It is a hard hitting, sad and provocative drama that may not be for everybody but is for anyone who wants to see a film that is fabulously made and acted.
In the film....Jean-Louis Trintignant plays Georges whose wife, Anne (Emmanuelle Riva) has an attack and is starting to suffer mostly physical pain but is also suffering mentally. As her condition gets worse and worse...Georges and Anne's marriage and love for each other are questioned. Georges isn't doing all he can for Anne and she doesn't appreciate it.
By far the best part of the film is the acting. Trintignant and Riva let the audience see both sides of the coin. We feel much sympathy for Anne but we can also see why Georges isn't as concerned as Anne thinks he should be. Some of the credit for this aspect should also go to writer-director Haneke who gives these characters the perfect mix of likability and shamelessness. Also...the quiet moments in the films are the ones that really get the audience. These quiet moments in equal parts disturb, makes us wonder and think and shows us the cold light of day. Some prime examples of these moments are an act that Georges commits towards the end and a scene involving music being played on a piano.
Sure...this isn't a film that's a blast to watch. If you want that this weekend...see The Last Stand because this is an extremely depressing, downbeat film. However---Haneke has done something truly wonderful with this film. He has made a film that grips you in your seat from the first second to the last. He proves once again that he is a genius filmmaker. He, however, cannot take all of the credit. The actors are an equally important part to making Amour the wonderful, hopefully widely seen gem that it is.
(5 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated PG-13 for mature thematic material including a disturbing act and for brief language)
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