By Hannah Bonner

Early on in director Andrew Haigh’s British drama 45 Years, a party planner casually notes to Charlotte Rampling’s character, Kate, that the building they are standing in is “so full of history – like a good marriage.” 45 Years gently probes and explores the forty-five year old marriage of Kate and Geoff Mercer (played by Tom Courtenay) over the course of six days. Deliberate and measured in pace, the film establishes early on the love and devotion of the couple, whether Kate is gently assisting in wrapping Geoff’s finger with a Band-Aid or rewashing Geoff’s dirty dish after he has already placed it in the sink. There’s a deep sense of familiarity between the two – they’ll giggle and dance late at night before bed or lightly tease the other for having three editions of a Kierkegaard book. Yet, almost instantly in the film, the viewer (and characters) learns about another element of Geoff’s personal history, one that doesn’t involve Kate. It shakes the strata of their marriage, unearthing old memories and unearthing new fears. 

The film follows both husband and wife striving to make sense of this news in the face of their impending forty-five year anniversary party. Rampling is steely and frail, a knot of heartache starting to fray. She’s still as stunning as her early days in The Night Porter (1974) or as photographed by Helmut Newton in the 70s. And in 45 Years she subtly conveys a whole arc of emotions without ever resorting to melodrama. It’s an impressive and devastating performance, made all the more poignant by the forthcoming anniversary party. Director Haigh, who made the critically acclaimed Weekend (2011), keeps the pace of 45 Years measured, allowing us to soak in the everyday rhythms of a couple who has known each other so long – and still has so much to discover about the other.