In this two-hander, played by French acting legends Emmanuelle Riva and Jean-Louis Trintignant, Georges and Anne are two retired music teachers who have been blissfully married for at least 6 decades. When Anne suffers two strokes, Georges lovingly assumes the role of carer but their love is tested in the face of the demands falling upon Georges.

Whilst the film avoids sentimentality in its study of the devastating effects of ageing and infirmity, this is arguably Haneke’s most moving film to date where the director surrenders his trademark glacial approach in favour of a great understanding and compassion in his treatment of these two characters. Evoking film noir and detective stories, Amour unravels the characters story by taking us to past moments and bringing us back to the present.

Most of the film is contained in the couples apartment, relying heavily on static takes, with soft and sombre lighting as Haneke aims for a realistic feel. The music in the film includes Schubert and Beethoven but every piece used is abruptly cut off as if to mirror Anne’s fragmented means of communication following her strokes.

A painful chamber drama about the aftermath of a stroke for an octogenarian couple, Michael Hanekes second Palme d’Or winner still has his trademark chill, Peter Bradshaw

A tender but unflinching portrait of the horrors and indignities of impending death, and it deals with its subject with immense intelligence and empathy. Time Out

A masterpiece about life, death and everything in between, The New York Times