In the week leading up to their 45th wedding anniversary, a couple receive an unexpected letter which contains potentially life changing news. A film by Andrew Haigh, starring Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay.

Geoff Mercer (Tom Courtenay) and Kate (Charlotte Rampling) have been married for almost 45 years. With their 45th anniversary approaches, Kate has prepared and arranged everything for their anniversary party on the upcoming Saturday. Kate asks Geoff’s opinion about using The Platters song for their first dance at the party. He thinks it would be a bit tacky to have the same song as their wedding, however, Kate insists that it would be lovely. Then, Kate notices Geoff opening a letter that appears to be from Swiss officials, written in German. Geoff can only translate part of the letter, revealing the discovery of Katya’s body. Katya was Geoff’s girlfriend who fell into a crevasse in the glacier while they were trekking in the Swiss mountains near the Italian border 50 years ago.

They asked me how I knew
My true love was true
I of course replied
Something here inside
Cannot be denied

Determined to read the letter, Geoff searches the storage room for his old German dictionary. With the dictionary in hand, he translates the letter, revealing that the authorities are asking if he wants to travel to Switzerland to see the body. However, Kate strongly opposes the idea. She sees no point in the trip and worries it would be too dangerous, especially since Katya’s body remains trapped in the glacier where she fell and died. Geoff’s behavior raises a concern in Kate’s mind that he might actually want to go.

They, said some day you’ll find
All who love are blind
When your heart’s on fire
You must realize
Smoke gets in your eyes

Kate drives her car to the city to check on the venue where their upcoming anniversary party will be held. Correcting Mr. Watkins (Richard Cunningham), the manager who mistakenly thought it was their 40th anniversary, he remarks that a 45th anniversary is an unusual one to celebrate. Kate explains that her husband was ill, so they had to cancel their 40th anniversary and rearrange it. The film later reveals that George had bypass surgery during that time.

In the evening, Geoff tells her he was Katya’s next of kin. (This explains why Geoff received the letter from Swiss officials.) Though Geoff defends himself, claiming he already mentioned this, Kate remains confused. She insists this is the first time she’s hearing it and wouldn’t forget if her husband were another woman’s next of kin. Geoff clarifies that back then in 1962, while they were traveling together, they had to pretend to be married. This was so people would let them stay in their houses and also to avoid problems with the authorities. Kate grows increasingly suspicious of Geoff, wondering what other secrets he’s kept about Katya.

One night, Kate is awakened by thudding noises coming from the attic. Geoff is missing from the bed, so she gets up and finds him in the attic. She notices Geoff holding something in his hand, which he dismisses as nothing. Upset that Geoff went searching for Katya’s photograph in the middle of the night, Kate angrily insists he show her the picture. Initially refusing, Geoff eventually gives in. Kate seems to notice a resemblance between her younger self with dark hair and the woman in the picture.

The next night, Kate asks Geoff if he would have married Katya if she hadn’t died. Geoff replies that he and Katya would have married. Realizing how much Katya meant to Geoff, Kate decides she can’t talk about Katya anymore. The next day, after dropping Geoff off at a reunion luncheon, Kate returns home. She climbs the ladder to the attic where she discovers Geoff’s scrapbook with Katya’s birthday, March 21st, noted in it. She also finds a carousel slide projector next to a makeshift screen. Turning the projector on to view the images, she’s horrified to see several slides showing that Katya was pregnant.

Written and directed by English filmmaker Andrew Haigh, based on David Constantine’s 2005 short story “In Another Country,” which delves into the complexities of human relationships and the nuances of communication as the story follows two characters engaging in a conversation that reveals layers of their personalities and the dynamics of their interaction through their dialogue and inner reflections.

I love how the film starts off as a seemingly happy romantic drama, depicting a couple, Kate and her husband, supposedly married for 45 years. However, it takes a sharp turn when the wife becomes increasingly concerned and suspicious about her husband’s past with a woman who died 50 years ago. The wife seemingly transforms into a detective, determined to unearth the secrets her husband has kept hidden for decades. The unexpected twist propels the narrative into a gripping psychological thriller, masterfully crafted by Andrew Haigh’s incredible script and direction.

So I chaffed them, and I gaily laughed
To think they could doubt my love
And yet today, my love has flown away
I am without my love

While the film leaves some details unexplained, such as why they never had children (was it Kate’s or Geoff’s decision?), and why Geoff stopped taking photographs, Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay deliver powerful performances. Charlotte Rampling, in particular, is mesmerizing with her subtle facial expressions and captivating eyes. The last scene is absolutely thrilling, as both the viewers and Kate finally grasp the shocking truth hidden within the song’s lyrics.

Now laughing friends deride
Tears I cannot hide
So I smile and say
When a lovely flame dies
Smoke gets in your eyes

45 YEARS premiered at Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin on 6 February 2015, where it won the Silver Bear for Best Actress — Silberner Bär/Bester Darsteller (Charlotte Rampling), and the Silver Bear for Best Actor — Silberner Bär/Beste Darstellerin (Tom Courtenay). The film was theatrically released in the United Kingdom on 28 August. Charlotte Rampling also received a nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 88th Academy Awards.

Do we really know our loved ones?