A moving film about two late middle aged people (a composer/conductor and a first violinist) who find each other, fall madly in love, leave their marriages, only to have Martin develop Alzheimer's.
The bulk of the film is watching his slow decline, as he slowly disappears, leaving his lover behind.
Tremendously sad, yet somehow also a little cold, not as emotionally impactful as I kept wanting it to be.
The acting is terrific, but there's something both a bit clinical, and a bit manipulative about it. E.g. Martin's attacks too often come at the (too) perfectly dramatic moments. Also, there's no time spent on the wrenching decision for each to leave their earlier marriages, so why include it?
Yet, all that said, it's still a strong, moving experience. A grown up movie about older people in a world with far too few of both.
The bulk of the film is watching his slow decline, as he slowly disappears, leaving his lover behind.
Tremendously sad, yet somehow also a little cold, not as emotionally impactful as I kept wanting it to be.
The acting is terrific, but there's something both a bit clinical, and a bit manipulative about it. E.g. Martin's attacks too often come at the (too) perfectly dramatic moments. Also, there's no time spent on the wrenching decision for each to leave their earlier marriages, so why include it?
Yet, all that said, it's still a strong, moving experience. A grown up movie about older people in a world with far too few of both.