OK for kids 16+
Complex drama with violence is demanding for any age group.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Amour is an acclaimed but emotionally harrowing movie -- in French with English subtitles -- about how an elderly couple deals with a sharp decline in health. The title translates to "love," though this title can be taken both literally and ironically. There's one scene of shocking, life-changing violence, as well as some arguing (the argument contains a use of the word "f--k") and a nightmare sequence. There's a story about adultery, and an old woman is glimpsed naked while bathing. Thanks to many awards and strong critical reception, movie nuts will be interested in seeing what this is all about, but despite a PG-13 rating, Amour's mature subject matter is best for older teens and adults.
- Families can talk about Amour's violent turning point. What brought about this violence? Was it done through love or hate? Was it justified?
- Why is the movie called "love"? What are some examples of love in the movie?
- Why is it so difficult to tell or listen to stories about older people getting sick?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie raises complex issues about old age, sickness, and care, and it will inspire discussions among those brave enough to see it. In some scenes, characters behave bravely, admirably, and responsibly in terms of caring for others, but in other scenes, they act selfishly, desperately, and horribly.
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Role models: The main male character sometimes shows bravery and responsibility and at other times seems cynical, as well as monstrous. He's not really a "role model," per se, though he makes audiences question what they would do in the same situation. The main female character, who's ill, doesn't get the chance to become a role model. (She doesn't handle her sickness well.)
What to watch for
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Violence: One horrible, shocking moment of life-changing violence. A dead body is shown. Also some arguing and a scary nightmare sequence, plus some generally upsetting sequences around the care of a sick, elderly invalid (falling down, peeing the bed, etc.).
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Sex: The elderly female lead is briefly seen naked while being bathed. The couple's grown daughter tells a verbal story about an extramarital affair.
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Language: Though the movie has little foul language, one scene contains an argument with the words "f--k" and "prick." Other words include "damn" and "for Christ's sakes."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue, though in an early scene, after coming home from a concert, the elderly gentleman says that he'd like "another drink."
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Touching story. Sad. by kbmd99
Maybe too "real life", this sad but touching look at one couple's journey as it nears the end. Very captivating story about how the husband cares for and struggles with his wife's situation after a series of strokes amidst the input of the couple 2 children. This is a movie about things no one ever wants to talk about.
5
Simply Beautiful by maddramaqueen
I positively enjoyed this movie to no end. I went into the film having little to no idea what this movie was about, but I left the theatre amazed at what I had just seen. Emmanuelle Riva is nominated for Best Actress for a reason, she hauntingly portrays an elderly woman struggling with deteriorating health as Jean-Louis Trintingnant plays her husband struggling to take care of the love of his life as he watches her slowly head towards death. The story is slow, but I feel that contributes to understanding the plight of the main characters, and the cinematography is highly ingenious. I wouldn't recommend this film for anyone under the age of 15 really, it's very emotionally draining, but if you're willing to struggle through this immensely tough topic it's absolutely worth it.
3
The movie drags by See-A-Lot
The story is touching and the acting is excellent. However, the movie is way too long and at times boring. It would have been much better if they had cut out at least half an hour.
4
Ultimate Book on Aging by janetborba
This movie is not for everyone. No one wants to experience a long debilitating illness or put a loved one through the caring of someone with such an illness, yet in reality, this is a recurring scenario for many. The beauty of this movie is the love that carries through to the end for this couple. The acting was superb. The director did a great job by keeping everything simple and slow. This is a snapshot of this couple's lives. Without showing flashbacks to fill in their earlier lives, the director and actors made it clear this was a marriage of love, affection, passion, trust, and dignity.
4
Profoundly moving by lnbee
This is the kind of movie one should almost see alone (as I did) because when it is over you will be speechless and contemplative. To speak is to intrude, to diminish.
3
With Mixed Emotions by linda19152
I found the acting great; the script fair, the mood of the film depressing but real. We are all headed for that aging path and we should know what is coming. I left feeling somewhat cheated not knowing what that goofy ending meant when they left their apartment to attend the concert we saw in the openng scenes. Maybe that means what goes around comes back around. Or I wonder if it meant that George was left with only the memory of a beautiful robust Anne.
I don't think I would buy the DVD. One morbid afternoon was enough for me for a long while. In any case, I left feeling lucky to be walking out of theater, on my own two legs, toward my car and able to drive home. Even if I did not have a George waiting for me there.
5
Hard Truths Beautifully Told by califgrl
This is my third Haneke film and by far my favorite. Cinematically, it's perfect. Narrative stripped down to its emotional core. No waste, nothing extraneous, although there are several wonderous moments of relief/ escape-- when the camera scans the content of several bucolic canvases on their walls, for example-- from the drama taking place in Anne and George's apartment. At the same time, I was struck by the film's insights into some of the most difficult emotional experiences we face. I felt I gained a new understanding of my late parents' end-of-life difficulties and decisions. On that level, this is a movie everyone should see, not just cinephiles or foreign film buffs.
4
Deep, Sleep, Must see it again since so deep and I slept by HenryOrient
Wow, a long confusing movie. Keep discussing it and keep learning new insights. Issues involve aging, parents and offspring, spousal devotion, caring for the infirmed. Solid acting altho I don't know if Riva is "best actress." Not "best picture" as it was way too long; I feel the story could've been told with equal impact much more quickly. Some have said it was bit predictable--can't agree. It's no suspense thriller but I kept wondering what was going to happen next. The slow drawn out "action" still hits the viewer and leaves you drained, and probably relieved. Maybe the first scenes should've been moved to the end, but that's not all that's confusing. See it with someone, so you both can go over the parts where the one or the other nodded off; and even the parts where both were wide awake but totally baffled.
4
Great movie but very depressing by Jessie tuan
I always manage to enjoy depressing movies, but I felt extremely touched and sad after seeing it. "Amour" could be a true story happened to any family. With love, it might be easier to handle.... Or evev more difficult?!