LOVE (AMOUR)

Absolute bliss and pure agony of love depicted brilliantly in all its facets. (Review by John Harley)

Forming part of the Durban International Film Festival, Love (Amour) is directed by Michael Haneke who also wrote the screenplay. Cinematography is by Darius Khondji. The film stars Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva

LOVE hurts; but exquisitely crafted!

The latest film from Michael Haneke is free from the sheen of existential terror that has defined much of his oeuvre. Bathed in intimacy, the film tells the story of Georges and Anne, a married couple in their 80’s. When Anne has a stroke and her health begins to decline, the couple's long established bond of love is severely tested.

This is a film that is shot with absolute simplicity- with utter care and precision- allowing the dialogue and superb performances to speak for themselves. It shows in masterly fashion the love between two people, at its very best and most agonizingly worst. It breaks the love of these two people down to its very essence.

The lack of any soundtrack is a brilliant choice; the silence in which the story unfolds literally screams at its audience; setting a tension line that is quite unbearable!

The absolute bliss and pure agony of love is depicted brilliantly in all its facets; reflecting the realities of living and loving with uncompromising frankness and simplicity. It depicts the deepest aspect of love ... that of GIVING, and then giving more, to the absolute end!

All the performances are absolutely superb, but Isabelle Huppert is quite outstanding as Anne - more cannot be asked of any actor!

Love (Amour) is brutal to one's senses, but it just MUST be experienced! – John Harley