Starring: Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay
Directed by: Andrew Haigh
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hr 35 mins
IFC Films
Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars
I love actors. When placed in the right mouths, words that may seem meaningless become poetry when those mouths open. Two of the best ever, at least in my generation, are Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay. You may remember Rampling as the dishonest love interest of Paul Newman in ‘The Verdict” and Courtenay holding his own against Albert Finney (both men earning Oscar nominations) in “”The Dresser.” Three decades later these two are still at the top of their game in the new film “45 Years.”
Meet Kate (Rampling) and Geoff (Courtenay) Mercer. They are full of excitement as they prepare to celebrate 45 years of marriage. As Geoff was ill when year 40 rolled around, Kate has decided to make this event one for the ages, and the majority of their small town will be at the celebration But as the day approaches Geoff receives a mysterious letter from Switzerland. He learns that the body of Katia, his first love, has been discovered. She disappeared over 50 years ago. Due to the circumstances she is literally frozen in ice, as beautiful as she was the day she disappeared. Even though Geoff feigns a slight interest, it is evident to Kate that the news is effecting him. Investigating on her own, Kate discovers secrets that make her question not only Geoff’s love, but their marriage.
A film this small scale – there are very few cast members – is only as good as its cast and the two veterans deliver in spades. Rampling, still beautiful at 70 — I’m sorry….is that a sexist statement…like I shouldn’t expect her to be beautiful at this age — says as much with her expressions and mannerisms as she does her words. Courtenay is her acting match here, observing small things and affecting small changes in his life. It’s obvious to both that the mystery of Katia is something that will linger for a long time.
The film is slight as far as subject matter is concerned but the two stars keep the pace moving, with Rampling shining in an Academy Award nominated performance. A fine alternative if you’re tired of bears, both grizzlies and pandas.