Cloak of invisibility

Hannah stars Charlotte Rampling in a film where not much happens and not much happens and not much happens and then, finally, not much happens. One scene, for instance, involves changing a light bulb and that’s it, and as close to an action stunt as we ever get. (Unless you count doing laundry.) But. But. It is also peculiarly mesmerising, showcases an extraordinary performance, and cumulatively builds into a powerful exploration of pain, loneliness and invisibility. So not much happens and not much happens and not much happens — but a great deal is said.

Directed and co-written by Andrea Pallaoro, and set in an unspecified Belgian town, the film opens with a close-up of Rampling’s Hannah, but then most of the film is a close-up of Rampling’s Hannah, understandably. Rampling has been an electrifying screen presence since she was 19 years old and nothing has changed. Tired of Rampling, tired of life, in my opinion.