45 Years

Name: 45 Years
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: December 23, 2015
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 94
Cast: Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay

2015

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 183 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 183 Ratings

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45 Years (US)

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Movie Details & Credits

Sundance Selects | Release Date: December 23, 2015 | Not Rated

Starring: Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay

Summary: There is just one week until Kate Mercer's (Charlotte Rampling) 45th wedding anniversary and the planning for the party is going well. But then a letter arrives for her husband (Tom Courtenay). The body of his first love has been discovered, frozen and preserved in the icy glaciers of the Swiss Alps. By the time the party is upon them, fiveThere is just one week until Kate Mercer's (Charlotte Rampling) 45th wedding anniversary and the planning for the party is going well. But then a letter arrives for her husband (Tom Courtenay). The body of his first love has been discovered, frozen and preserved in the icy glaciers of the Swiss Alps. By the time the party is upon them, five days later, there may not be a marriage left to celebrate. [IFC Films]… Expand

Director: Andrew Haigh

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 95 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Kenneth Turan

Dec 22, 2015

45 Years is a quietly explosive film, a potent drama with a nuanced feel for subtlety and emotional complications. Read full review

100

Steven Rea

Jan 21, 2016

45 Years is a study in economy, in the beautiful symmetry of word and image and music. Read full review

100

Mick LaSalle

Jan 28, 2016

45 Years is very much an English film and in the best sense. It’s subtle, understated and ultimately devastating, but only if you’re paying attention. Read full review

Leah Greenblatt

Dec 17, 2015

Courtenay is a gruff and gratifyingly knotty presence, but in the end it’s Rampling’s movie. In a quiet, beautifully calibrated performance completely stripped of actressy tricks, she’s a revelation. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Dec 24, 2015

The devastating truth of 45 Years, so beautifully wrought, is that even the most devoted couples are made up of two people who are essentially alone. Read full review

Calvin Wilson

Jan 28, 2016

Daringly unsentimental, 45 Years makes a persuasive case that marriage demands not only patience, but guts. Read full review

Stephen Dalton

Feb 10, 2015

Do not expect blazing emotional fireworks, just finely calibrated performances and deep reserves of inner torment. Read full review

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User Reviews

smaher

Dec 28, 2015

It's not a film for everyone, but if you like character driven dramas, it is superb. It takes place in just one week and the pace is unhurried. The story is subtle and nuanced, but everything counts in the unfolding of this extraordinarily difficult moment in this 45 year marriage. CharlotteIt's not a film for everyone, but if you like character driven dramas, it is superb. It takes place in just one week and the pace is unhurried. The story is subtle and nuanced, but everything counts in the unfolding of this extraordinarily difficult moment in this 45 year marriage. Charlotte Rampling is perfect in every detail in this unforced performance. It's like you're not watching acting at all.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

knightofcups

Dec 23, 2015

45 Years can be experienced through Rampling's eyes from the first minute to the breathtaking final scene of last Andrew Haigh flick. The film begins with Courtenay's character receiving a letter confirming the death of his former lover, a situation which obviously triggers lots of problems45 Years can be experienced through Rampling's eyes from the first minute to the breathtaking final scene of last Andrew Haigh flick. The film begins with Courtenay's character receiving a letter confirming the death of his former lover, a situation which obviously triggers lots of problems indoors. What is seen from there is a relationship made of feathers that, at the earliest of opportunities, is finally blown. Rampling's eyes silently cry in despair during the 95 minutes of the film and during the best final twenty seconds of the cinema in 2015, you realize what really was going on during the forty five years. The direction of Haigh makes us forget that we are watching a film, the performances of Rampling and Courtenay transform the two strangers into old acquaintances being observed. This film will be stuck in my head for days.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

RvwFromUpHere

Feb 22, 2016

Of all of the Oscar Nominees this year, I have had my life changed by zero. I watched them, enjoyed them, and forgot about them for the most part by the next day. There are some exceptions. I thought about The Big Short over the course of the following week to see if I could understand theOf all of the Oscar Nominees this year, I have had my life changed by zero. I watched them, enjoyed them, and forgot about them for the most part by the next day. There are some exceptions. I thought about The Big Short over the course of the following week to see if I could understand the housing bubble better in my head, I thought about how Room made me feel while I was falling asleep that night after I saw it, but I've thought about the last 10 minutes of 45 Years more than all of the Best Picture Nominees combined. This was one of those movies that lingers in your head so much, The Cranberries could have written a song about it. Let me preface, this movie is only 90 minutes, and the first 80 are so incredibly slow it's like you're being forced to watch How It's Made in High School P.E., but boy does it pay off. The ending of this movie punches you in the gut with so much futility you'll think Gone Girl had a happy ending. I will also preface this movie is not for people who disapprove of sad endings, this movie can only be described as "Soul-crushing." Also, don't bring a date if you want the relationship to last. Couples should have at least 10 years of bliss under their belt, or be confident enough to claim they're the next Niles and Daphne Crane. This movie was finally able to do what no other movie in 2015 ((obviously) other than Star Wars) could, think, feel, and remember why I watch movies in the first place.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

Spangle

Jan 14, 2016

I have not cried because of a film in a long time, but man did 45 Years ever get to me. Holy moly this film is powerful. A stirringly emotional look at marriage and the nature of love as you age, 45 Years features phenomenal lead performances from Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay. ThoughI have not cried because of a film in a long time, but man did 45 Years ever get to me. Holy moly this film is powerful. A stirringly emotional look at marriage and the nature of love as you age, 45 Years features phenomenal lead performances from Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay. Though it is slow and deliberate, the film never drags and really always grips you as you watch it all unfold. The film is interesting in the sense that thought it focuses on Rampling's character, it really provides an astute look at how both men and women look at relationships, in particular at how they progress as the years go on. Wonderfully written and directed by Andrew Haigh, 45 Years is a phenomenal film that deservedly netted Rampling an Oscar nomination, but I do wish it had received more.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

geewah

Jan 5, 2021

The outstanding Rampling shines in this suprisingly gritty drama. Does have it's flat spots but overall a good movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Feb 3, 2016

Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay play a couple approaching their 45th wedding anniversary and a celebratory party. The week before, a letter arrives that stirs up emotions from his past and brings the sincerity of their marriage into question. Rampling has received an Oscar nom for herCharlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay play a couple approaching their 45th wedding anniversary and a celebratory party. The week before, a letter arrives that stirs up emotions from his past and brings the sincerity of their marriage into question. Rampling has received an Oscar nom for her underplayed performance, but it’s the entire movie that’s reserved and unsentimental. We watch them mundanely go about their daily interactions with a deliberate pace. Nothing about the film is especially affected or emotional. There are quiet observations and lots of her looking (into mirrors, fields, waterways). I found it tasteful and Rampling lovely, but the underplayed drama and objective direction made me impatient and underwhelmed.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Filmcritic1956

Jan 5, 2016

Are you kidding me? 45 years was about how long this plodding film about two washed up old people felt like it lasted. If the awful pacing wasn't bad enough, the plotting--if you could call it that--was even worse. This film was based on a short story and it showed--not enough plot thereAre you kidding me? 45 years was about how long this plodding film about two washed up old people felt like it lasted. If the awful pacing wasn't bad enough, the plotting--if you could call it that--was even worse. This film was based on a short story and it showed--not enough plot there for a feature film. And finally, the conflict between the two characters was left completely unresolved. I guess that's artsy, but if you ask me, it's lazy storytelling, the issues were not explored so it's not surprising they were not resolved. Was the acting fantastic? Yes sir, but if you put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig. Anyone who enjoyed this movie must have a lot of time on their hands and little to do with it (just like the two lead characters)… Expand

1 of 12 users found this helpful111

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