Our take
Amour is about Anne and Georges, an elderly couple who face challenges in their relationship after Anne suffers a debilitating stroke. They’re portrayed by Emmanuelle Riva and Jean-Louis Trintignant in what can only be described as a masterclass in acting. It’s a challenging story but it’s a realistic portrayal of love later in life and in the face of time.
Directed by Michael Haneke, the movie was met with widespread acclaim from critics when it came out in 2012, winning the Palme d’Or as well as the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
Elsewhere
"There have been many invasions in Haneke's work, and there is indeed an attempted break-in at the start of this film, but nothing compares with the looming approach of mortality."
— Anthony Lane
The details
Who picked it
Sonia Botsarova is a film and culture writer who explores the intersections between cinema and geography in her work on A Reel Trip and Medium. Her writing focuses on world cinema, with particular interest in the cinemas of Central Asia and underrepresented regions.
"What makes Amour not only bearable but cathartic is the beauty of the filmmaking and the delicacy of the performances."
— Amy Taubin