45 Years

Take a bow, Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay! Even if the film doesn't explicitly mention the characters' marriage length, viewers like us would easily buy into this bona fide couple as if they've lived together for many, many years! Flawless casting and acting! Smart move there, by choosing actors of the right age to play Mr. and Mrs. Mercer, instead of allowing and/or depending on make-ups to take care of the job.

From the very beginning, this is a clear film. All credits to the writing! If a movie is understandable, it becomes interesting. And when it becomes interesting, more likely it would end up being a good flick at the end. And oh boy was this a terrific motion drama! As the plot strides its each foot forward, counting down days remaining to arrive at the anniversary ceremony, it makes one nervous about the resolution. What could be the closure to this 45 years of marriage? Will it live long enough to see its 46th and after?

The horrors of human's feelings plus the lives before and after marriage are major topics nudged in this acme of romance. Charlotte Rampling as Mrs. Mercer shows unfeigned jealousy taints on the outside, while her soul cripples, crumbles and breaks on the inside. The only complaint would be some of the long winded shots of the protagonist strolling across the streets which do not add much value to the storytelling, picture or duration.