A Single Man (The Weinstein Company)
Rated R for some disturbing images and nudity/sexual content.
Starring Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult, Matthew Goode, Jon Kortajarena, Paulette Lamori, Ryan Simpkins, Ginnifer Goodwin, Teddy Sears, Paul Butler, Aaron Sanders.
Written by Tom Ford and David Searce, based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood.
Directed by Tom Ford.
GRADE: B
REVIEWLoss is a universal and terrible thing. It touches all, regardless of race, age, economic status or sexual orientation. When a loved one dies prematurely, it leaves a hole in the souls of companions left behind, and filling the void is a challenge for survivors. Such is the premise for
A Single Man, a film about a man who must decide between giving up or going on after the love of his life is gone.
George (Colin Firth) is a gay professor living in Los Angeles during the early 1960s. He's recently lost his lover of several years Jim (Matthew Goode) in car crash. Through flashbacks George reminisces about his committed relationship with Jim, while trying to motivate himself to get up in the morning and going on with life.
George's best friend Charley (Julianne Moore), an old female companion can't get him out of his funk, nor can relationships with students or neighbor kids.
George decides he will tie up the loose ends in his life, pick out a smart suit, and commit suicide with a handgun, but the closer he gets to his impending doom, several new acquaintances impose themselves into his life, causing him to pause and wonder whether life might be worth living. Among the new encounters are the young student Kenny (Nicholas Hoult) and a latino drifter (Jon Kortajarena).
I won't spoil the ending, but there is a surprise in A Single Man.
Colin Firth's performance is noteworthy, as is the film-making prowess of Tom Ford, who adapted Christopher Isherwood's novel. Julianne Moore also provides a more than adequate portrayal as Charley, a hopeless party girl who ins't much of a girl anymore.
I would have liked
A Single Man more had it not been so very slow in its pace and so doggone gloomy. It's like a darker version of
American Beauty, only more depressing. I'm not taking anything away from Firth, Moore or Ford, but this isn't kind of movie anyone would enjoy unless they want to get in touch with their negative side. I guess there's a market for that kind of thing. It certainly should get some attention from the MPAA at Oscar nomination time if only for the top-notch acting performances.
