45 Years 2015

     The story in this film takes place over six days.  Kate and Geoff Mercer have been retired for five years.  They didn’t get to celebrate their 40- year wedding anniversary because Geoff had heart bypass surgery.  To celebrate their 45-years they pan to invite dozens of friends to a party in a grand hall.  Before the party, Geoff receives a letter from Switzerland that tells him that Katya his lover in the early 1960’s has become visible in a melting glacier.  She fell into a crevasse on a guided hike over 50 years ago.  Both Kate and Geoff begin to think a lot about Katya as well as the upcoming party.

     There is a lot going on in this movie in six days??  Can a marriage of 45 years withstand several onslaughts from the past??  Information is conveyed in watching their faces as they go about everyday life.  I thought this was good an interesting.  Returning to smoking is a big clue about the inner turmoil of Kate and Geoff.  4* (I really liked this movie)

95 min, Drama directed by Andrew Haigh with Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay, Geraldine James, Dolly Wells, David Sibley, Sam Alexander.

Note:  Imdb 7.1 out of 10, 97% critic 68% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 4*, Amazon 3.4* out of 5* with 204 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Norfolk, England, UK.  David Sibley’s character tries to convince Tom Courtneay’s character to play the ukulele and Tom just smiles.  In real life Courtenay is an avid ukulele player.