The Plot: On the eve of his 45th wedding anniversary, Geoff Mercer (Tom Courtenay) finds out that the perfectly-preserved corpse of his girlfriend from the 1960s has been discovered in an icy crevasse in Switzerland. As Geoff digests the information, it drives a deep wedge between himself and his wife Kate (Charlotte Rampling). Why It's Awesome: Though its melodrama-free approach might seem a little dry to some, 45 Years' restraint is one of its greatest virtues: it gives Courtenay and Rampling room to turn in some incredibly subtle character work, built more on glances and facial expressions rather than over-the-top grandstanding. The pair give easily the best performances of their respective careers, each bringing out the best in the other, while the film riffs powerfully on the pervasive presence of an idea, and how truly built on trust relationships are. If you're after thrills-per-minute this isn't the movie for you, but if you're in the mood for some world-class acting and riveting drama, it can't be missed.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
