Amour

John and Vendela chose this film for our film club.

Winner of Palm D'Or 2012

Anne and Georges live in a once grand Parisian Apartment.  We see them enjoying the success of of a virtuoso pianist, a former pupil of Anne's.  Then Anne experiences a TIA (stroke), and things change for the couple.  I was reminded of older people in my life.  I was with my Grandparents at the dinning table when my Grandmother had a TIA.  I remember how Marion, my mother-in-law cared for and loved Brian through the 18 months of decline to his death.  Their love outshone everything.

This film speaks of hopelessness.  The loss of function is equated to a slow, painful, exhausting, nothingness.  This is a film set where 'The Creator'  God is either absent, or is the stupid priest presiding at 'Pierre's' funeral, which Georges attends.  The film is brave because it has nothing positive to say, reminding me of  Waiting for Godot.

I used it to test my theory on relationships, that all relationship need some two way 'reciprocity', Something shared, that is created in the moment, and nourishes the relationship.  In the film we see glimpses of this, when Anne becomes more lucid, and is able to be affectionate,  Rare moments, but I am interested how little of this is needed to keep the relationship alive.