Film Review: Amour. Director: Michael Haneke.

 

There have been diverse views and opinions on the subject of marriage. On the one hand, when romantics like Khalil Gibran endorsed individual as well as dual growth in marriage, skeptics like Groucho Marx said, "marriage is an institution, but who wants to live in an institution?". In a world where marriages start with the rosy, "in sickness and in health" and "till death do us part", and end with a ton of finances drained in heavy divorces and child support amounts, a very few are able to differentiate between a wedding and a marriage. 'Amour' is a French film that is essentially about marriage. 

When the days of youth, pregnancy, children's marriages are over, all that is left is old age and a lifelong wait for the call from firmament. However, Georges and Anne Laurent, an old Parisian couple do not hold such beliefs. They are art aficionados and cognoscenti who spend their time in meaningful pursuits and have epiphanic conversations. Their way of life is impeccable and they are the French embodiment of 'joie de vivre'. But, they grow older. 

With old age comes helplessness and loneliness. The protagonists of the film are the Laurents and their melancholy. Facilitated by a wonderful script and an immaculate sense of aesthetics, 'Amour' is an artist's delight. While watching the film, the audience cannot help but think of the stark difference betwixt the Oriental and Western ideologies. The Orientalists advocated a joint family and the Westernists lived by the axiom of  'to each his own'. 

Georges and Anne realize many things in their conversations; the end of their youth, the death of their close friends and a skepticism for what lies ahead. Contemplation of the meaning of life when there is not much of it left and the unbearable brunt of loneliness is a highlight of this film. The execution of the film was brilliant, and no doubt challenging, but for an auteur like Haneke who has directed films of a diverse nature right from 'Funny Games (2007)' to 'The White Ribbon (2009)', directing this real film was all too usual. Every film directed by Haneke has a different premise that is portrayed with promise, and 'Amour' does not disappoint in this regard. 'Amour' establishes a parameter for determination of emotional intelligence, as it is not for the sentimentalists, and the revolution of the story around sentiments itself makes it so. 

Jean Louis Trintignant, who plays the kind, irascible, choleric, helpless and lovable Georges Laurent and Emmanuelle Riva, who plays the understanding, wilful, sweet and disciplined Anne Laurent have done an excellent job. It is said that acting is a simulacrum of reality. Both artistes seem to embody this saying. There is more to the film than meets the eye and it is replete with metaphors, which enhances the cinematic experience. 

The beauty of simplicity, the courage needed in old age to take each day as it comes, the horror of loneliness and its acceptance is depicted amazingly well in the film. 

Overall, 'Amour' is something nouveau despite its protagonists being an old couple, and should not be missed. The human element of this film is stunning and soul touching. 

MY TAKE: 8.5/10.  

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Author: Ms. Radhika Sunil Vaidya. 

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