Amour

The darling of the Canne Film Festival Michael Haneke returns with another film that is gobbling up the awards left right and centre.
On the surface this does not sound like a terribly interesting film. Watching an older couple struggle as one of the them deteriorates. It is however directed by a skilled film maker and so that makes it far better than you might expect. I came a bit late to Michael Haneke. The first of his films I saw was Cache (Hidden). It was an amazing film and so was his next one 'The White Ribbon'. Michael is a minimalist director who just lets scenes play out and does not make all the information obvious. You need to really think about what is going on so you get the full picture of the story. It was especially helpful with a film like this that I got to attend a screening with a discussion afterwards. Talking with other people about how they saw the film definitely helped me understand it better. I hope that this does not put your off seeing it though but does suggest that you should see it with someone. I think many might find it boring as the film is not very action packed. You may even find it fairly mundane as we follow this couple through their daily life. It is however through these rather mundane tasks that we learn about them, their relationship and how they are coping with their old age. It is a subject that I know is not thrilling or hip but is one that is very important. I'm sure there is a lot here that many people who have elderly relatives can relate to. That is the beauty of the film and what Michael has done. It feels so real. You feel that these are real people going through a real struggle. They are not actors but real people struggling with a real issue that many of us might have to face.
Emmanuelle Riva certainly deserves all the awards attention she has been getting lately. This woman is simply amazing. It is easy to think that she has the simple task of playing the person with an illness but in a Michael Haneke film she is required to do a lot more than just lay there. There are so many subtle things that she does so we learn about her and her struggle. Being a film called 'Love' means there is another side to this story. Emmanuelle might be getting most of the attention but it is Jean-Louis Trintignant who should also be getting the attention. He is brilliant as Emmanuelle's husband. She is not the only one suffering. Jean-Louis must makes you sympathetic to Georges struggle to look after his wife. He has made a tough decision for love and you must respect him for that. Isabelle Huppert is excellent as well in a role that on the surface makes her look like a bitch. But she manages to let you understand her character and the fact that she is struggling with the situation as much as her father. Even if it does not put her in a terribly good light. 
Another film that I know will not be to every one's tastes. I'm glad to see all the awards recognition it is getting will mean it will reach a larger audience. It is a film that will make force to you think about what is going on so you can appreciate it more.