45 Years (2015) | agoodmovietowatch

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45 Years 7.8 2015 Movie

45 Years

Dir. Andrew Haigh · Germany, UK · English

Our take by Bilal Zouheir

Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay both won Berlinale Best Actress and Best Actor for this movie. They play a couple who are only a few days away from their 45th marriage anniversary when they learn that the remains of the husband’s first lover have been found. He then starts obsessing about his previous relationship, to the extent that when the day of the anniversary comes, there might not be a marriage left to celebrate. This is a very ‘adult’ movie – it’s quiet, sometimes slow, very well-executed, and overall a fascinating look at marriage.

What happens

There is just one week until Kate Mercer's 45th wedding anniversary and the planning for the party is going well. But then a letter arrives for her husband. The body of his first love has been discovered, frozen and preserved in the icy glaciers of the Swiss Alps. By the time the party is upon them, five days later, there may not be a marriage left to celebrate.

What the critics said

Notable Critics

"In the current climate of UK cinema, 45 Years is a striking anomaly, and a rigorously executed one."

— Jonathan Romney

"Both actors give stunning performances."

— Roger Clarke

Awards

Oscars

1 nom

Nominated: Best Actress

Berlin

2 wins · 1 nom

Won: Best Actor (Silver Berlin Bear)Won: Best Actress (Silver Berlin Bear)Nominated: Official Selection: Homage

BAFTA

1 nom

Nominated: Outstanding British Film

Nat. Board of Review

1 win

Won: Top Ten Independent Films

LAFCA

1 win

Won: Best Actress

European Film Awards

1 win · 2 noms

Won: European ActressNominated: European ActorNominated: European Screenwriter

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About the author

Bilal Zouheir

Bilal Zouheir

Bilal Zouheir is the founder of A Good Movie to Watch. He is US-based and a member of the Nevada Film Critics Society. He grew up in Morocco, where he learned English from watching movies. Bilal's work with A Good Movie to Watch is focused on offering an alternative to streaming algorithms, which are often used as commercial tools by streaming services.