proud_luddite Kate (Charlotte Rampling) and Jeff (Tom Courtenay) are a retired, childless couple who live in the countryside region in Norfolk, England. When Jeff receives information about a former lover long gone, the internal lives of each are affected as is their marriage.As the story is of the day-to-day lives of this couple and the various other people in their lives (plus a beautiful dog), the pace seems slow but it is always steady and intriguing thanks partly to director/writer Alexander Haigh. The many quiet scenes lead magnificently to a grand event that is familiar to many of us: a crowded anniversary party. Haigh's screenplay also includes gems about the process of aging including the reflection on how life choices change when one ages.Courtenay is very convincing as someone who withdraws due to the recall of old grief. He also has a great moment in the final scene.But it is fair to say that the movie truly belongs to Rampling. In addition to the film's narrative, she tells a parallel story of her inner life with deep facial expressions and subtle body movements. In scenes when she's with someone else, one is more inclined to watch her as she listens rather than the speaker.Whenever I note an outstanding performance (as I do below), there is usually at least one "meltdown" scene in which the performer chews the scenery. That never happens in "45 Years". But Rampling's subtlety is so powerful and unique that her performance is exceptional. Though she was born well after the end of the silent move era, she could easily have been a silent film superstar with her unique talents.OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Lead Performance by Charlotte Rampling

Clumsy_blonde Nothing happened. I actually had to read the spoiler reviews to be sure I didn't miss something, but nope, nothing happens in this movie. The first scene is a long drawn-out view of the house that showed a good few minutes of nothing happening, I should have realised at that point that the tone was set, and not settled in waiting for a plot to evolve. The lead character was rich and likeable and could have moved me I'm sure, if she'd only had a storyline. So annoyed at myself for sticking this out and wasting my evening.

Jay Curly I commend the actors in this film who were strong enough to push through this lame premise.After 45 years of marriage, the idea that a dead ex-girlfriend would cause such a rift in a marriage is hard to believe. Hats off to the two main leads who were able to pull this off.I just wasn't able to sympathize with the characters over this situation. It was really much ado about nothing.

verna-a There is artistry in this film, good cinematography and some fine acting. I was well motivated to watch as Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay were iconic figures of my youth in the 60s. And yet when it finished I just wanted to top myself - if that's how you end up as you age, somewhere between just enduring and pretty miserable, let's end it now! There was nothing unrealistic about the scenario and the depiction of the characters, I just didn't want to spend time in their world. They are so selfish and humourless, it's just depressing. Better to have some kids and get a life than end up like these two. Why did I watch til the end? I was convinced that something was going to happen and couldn't believe it when the end credits appeared. There is in fact no story to this film, merely a scenario. It's finely depicted but I have never seen a film built on so little.