45 Years (2015)

A married couple preparing to celebrate their wedding anniversary receives shattering news that promises to forever change the course of their lives.

Director:

Andrew Haigh

Writers:

Andrew Haigh, David Constantine (short story "In Another Country")

Stars:

Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay, Geraldine James

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 21 wins & 55 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Charlotte Rampling	...	Kate Mercer
Tom Courtenay	...	Geoff Mercer
Geraldine James	...	Lena
Dolly Wells	...	Sally
David Sibley	...	George
Sam Alexander	...	Chris The Postman
Richard Cunningham	...	Mr Watkins
Hannah Chalmers	...	Travel Agent
Camille Ucan	...	Café Waitress
Rufus Wright	...	Jake

Storyline

Kate (Charlotte Rampling) and Geoff Mercer (Sir Tom Courtenay) are planning to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary with dozens of friends. The event is to take place soon in the community hall of Norwich, the town near which they live. A week before the party, Geoff receives a letter which, although he tries to hide it, obviously troubles him. When his wife asks him what is going on, Geoff tells her that the body of Katya, his first great love who disappeared fifty years before in the Alps, has just been found in a melting glacier. From then on, Geoff starts behaving more and more strangely and for the first time after so many years Kate asks herself who the man she married so long ago really is.

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Plot Keywords:

anniversary | death of girlfriend | old woman | old man | dancing | 

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Taglines:

Do we really know our loved ones?

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 August 2015 (UK)

Also Known As:

45 años

Filming Locations:

Norfolk Broads, Norfolk, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$65,775, 27 December 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$4,250,507

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,186,923

Company Credits

Production Co:

BFI Film Fund, British Film Institute (BFI), Creative England

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Russian censorship visa # 12102395 delivered on 30-11-2015.

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Goofs

Geoff's friend says he's learning the ukulele (which is a small guitar) with the website Justin Guitar, as it's a good instrument for playing any music - not just George Formby. Although it was often said that Formby played the ukulele, his instrument was in fact a banjolele (a small banjo body with a fretted ukulele neck).

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Quotes

Kate Mercer: Would you have married her?

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits play like a slide show. Every time before a new name appears on the screen, there is the unmistakable click of a slide projector.

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Connections

Featured in 45 Years: Q&A (2016)

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Soundtracks

I Only Want to Be with You
Written by Ivor Raymonde / Mike Hawker
Performed by Dusty Springfield
Courtesy of Virgin EMI Records Ltd
Under licence from Universal Music Operations Ltd
Published by Chappell Music LTD

User Reviews

Powerful!

Based on the short story In Another Country by David Constantine, '45 Years' is a Powerful human-drama, that is emotionally violent as well devastating. Great Performances add to the impact.

'45 Years' Synopsis: In the week leading up to their 45th wedding anniversary, a couple receive an unexpected letter which contains potentially life changing news.

'45 Years' is an extraordinary film, because it knows what it is: That begin an ugly love-story about a couple under shock. I was engrossed by the narrative thoroughly. Andrew Haigh's Writing is superb. This is Writing of the highest order. Haigh's Direction, on the other-hand, is tight, focused.

Performance-Wise: Charlotte Rampling & Tom Courtenay are at their finest. Rampling explodes in an emotionally devastating performance, that deserves serious awards consideration. Courtenay is first-rate, involving himself completely to the part. Its a delight to watch both of the veterans lighten up the screen.

On the whole, '45 Years' cannot be missed. Strongly Recommended!