Amour

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
Amour Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Complex drama with violence is demanding for any age group.

PG-13 2012 127 minutes
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 15+

Based on 4 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

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.

Community Reviews

doctora
doctora Adult
June 10, 2022
age 16+

What happens 50 years after you've met your soul mate?

An incredibly moving film about septuagenarians of which we have too few films. Most films are about getting together with that soul mate. What about fifty years after the wedding? What about when one of you has a stroke and the other now has to take care of their partner in all ways and none of it is as you imagined. What about when you are completely beholden to others and you no longer feel like you can live your life with dignity? Heartbreaking and meditative.
Hoobajoob
Hoobajoob Adult
May 28, 2022
age 14+

What does it mean to be there for your spouse at the end?

The category ratings on this are hilarious. Violence at 4/5 (how on earth would this same scale be used for something like Pulp Fiction?), 1/5 positive role models, and sex also at 4/5 for an elderly woman’s breast seen while bathing. They can’t possibly be serious. These should be 2/5, 3/5, and 1/5, respectively. Younger kids and teens are not going to be interested in this at all because it’s just too quiet and slowly paced. It’s so patiently paced and focused on end-of-life caregiving that there would be no impact from the (I’m still laughing at this) “sex” and very little from the violence unless your kid has never seen anything besides Mr Rogers and Freaky Friday. The husband is absolutely worth seeing as a positive role model in many respects despite the two obvious moments of failure depicted on screen. He is the one person totally committed to his wife’s day to day care, well past what even some of the nurses provide. Of course the peak dramatic action is intended to raise questions about how far you should go in honoring your spouse’s wishes at the end of life, not as an endorsement.

This title has:

Educational value
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Anne (Emmanuelle Riva) and Georges (Jean-Louis Trintignant) are a loving husband and wife, both in their eighties and both retired music teachers. One night, they go to a concert to see one of their most successful students. The next morning, Anne freezes up in the middle of a conversation. After a trip to the hospital, it's revealed that she has suffered a stroke and is now paralyzed on one side. Georges opts to keep her at home and hires nurses to help care for her. As Anne's condition worsens and she's no longer able to communicate, the situation becomes more and more unbearable for George and their grown daughter, Eva (Isabelle Huppert). Finally George is faced with a tough decision and a hard question: How much does he truly love Anne?

Is It Any Good?

This movie has complex moral layers that force viewers to consider very tough questions. Acclaimed German-born director Michael Haneke makes movies like a kid with a magnifying glass, tormenting ants; on the one hand, he's not safe, but on the other, he has a kind of disdain toward his viewers. His films are like a challenge to see how strong a viewer's constitution is. There's a certain chilliness in the air, and it often seems as if Haneke doesn't care about his characters as more than just moral experiments. (The title, AMOUR, which translates to "love," can be seen as both literal and ironic.)

As a result, some viewers may come away from the movie with their heads full of thoughts but their hearts largely untouched. Yet Amour is an exceedingly well-made movie, with excellent acting, and carefully chosen shots that emphasize the drama. Additionally, it's a rarity to see movies about older folks, and in that, the performances by these veteran actors are exemplary.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

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