1190. Amour

Amour
2012
Directed by Michael Haneke 

And we're back. If you could call the previous two entries a reprieve for the constant barrage of sadness (could you?), we are fully back on the saddle with this one. Most of us dream of finding a soulmate and growing old with someone...well, this is what happens after that.

The film starts with firefighters finding the corpse of a woman in bed after her neighbors complain about the smell. We then flashback to several months before the opening scene. Elderly couple Anne and Georges enjoy a piano performance from one of Anne's former students, Alexandre. Shortly after that, Anne suffers a debilitating stroke and Georges becomes her slightly reluctant caretaker. Naturally, this causes a strain to their relationship.

I am sure this is triggering for many people, whether you are or have been in the care of somebody else, or whether you have had to watch a loved one suffer. I am currently recovering from surgery and depending on my loved one's to take care of me. And, of course, your worst fear when you're completely dependent on somebody else is that they secretly resent it. 

So thanks Amour, for sharing your story with me.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Michael Haneke told his cast to avoid sentimentality at all costs.

The pigeon scene was shot 12 times.