A SINGLE MAN
SAINT OF LAS VEGAS
KEEP LOOKING
LAURIE COKER'S REVIEW
RATING: C+
Colin Firth is one of my favorite actors and his versatility always impresses me. In ?A Single Man,? a film about a man whose heart and life are devastated when his partner of 16 years dies unexpectedly, he offers a pure, passionate perfect performance. While the subject matter may not please everyone, I think ?Brokeback Mountain,? noted fashion designer and first time writer/director Tom Ford uses wonderfully unique cinematography and time appropriate imagery, albeit in a way that I found sometimes boring, to create an ardent tale of painful loss and emotional survival.
Based on a novel by Christopher Isherwood, ?A Single Man?, taking place over one long single day, follows a gay English professor whose life turns upside when his longtime lover dies in a car accident. We only see ?Jim? (handsome Matthew Goode) in flashbacks as George Falconer (Firth) struggles to deal with unbearable loss ? alone ? even more isolated by his alternative way of life and the era in which he lives. One friend, a former female lover and now dear friend, Charlotte (Julianne Moore), knows his lifestyle, but because of her bitterness about her own relationships and propensity for drink, she provides little more than a place for George to weep.
Ford?s costumes, sets and imagery are sheer perfection; he captures the 1960s flawlessly ? every hairstyle, prop, suit, dress, bauble and place (not surprising given that Ford designs clothing) sets the tone and scene without fault. Notably, he moves his lead from scene to scene, changing ? as do George?s emotions ? from deep sepia images to vivid color ones, allowing us to be absorbed into George?s reactions even more. The effect works, but for me, Ford chooses too often to linger in some places far too long. As a point, when Jim is killed so is one of the couples? two dogs and the other goes missing, so when George sees a similar pup in a parked car, Ford spends an interminable amount of time having George caress, smell (to the point of almost inhaling the animal) and coddle the dog through the car window with its owner watching uncomfortably. Making the scene more difficult to bear, he does this in slow motion.
While many of Ford?s choices pleased me, as noted he hangs on some scenes while skirting over others, and when he lingers time stops. When Ford slows filming speed, I moaned and the critic next to me dozed. But when he hits his cinematograph pace, he held me tightly in his grasp. As an English teacher, I noticed and appreciated his attempts at symbolism, although I did not always agree with them. Still his script gives his actors multidimensional characters who they deliver with perfection.
Firth plays George with amazing emotion and depth. His face exhibits every mood with such clarity, we feel it too. This is perhaps the best he has ever been. Moore, too, gives us a Charlotte who exemplifies the divorced, embittered women, caught up in the downside of the free love generation. I don?t personally care much for Moore, don?t ask me why, she just grates on me, but I doubt any other actress could fill Charlotte?s shoes so well. ?A Single Man?s? ensemble cast offers the same quality as the leads and Ford?s perfectly set scene. BBC?s drama series ?Skins?s? star Nicholas Hoult (also he played the kid in ?About a Boy?) brings a pleasing, youthful exuberance ? very 60s ? to his character, Kenny, as student with an eye for teacher. I applaud his portrayal, but he still has some maturing to do.
Ford underplays the homosexuality of his main characters and concentrates instead on telling a wholly collective story of loss, grief, deliverance and recovery. For this I praise him. Still, I cannot completely forgive his lapses in timing and flow and the confusion some of his choices cause. The story, even taking place in one day, pops about a bit and struggles with forward momentum. Ford and his R-rated ?A Single Man? proves positively that it is possible to love parts of a film, but not necessarily totally appreciate the whole. I would like to have enjoyed it more, but when I get bored, something is wrong.
I cannot discount the quality acting (particularly by Firth) and the intense imagery (that works) of Ford?s film ? these elements deserve better than the grade I am giving the whole. The subject limits audience appeal anyway, but I warn that it is not, subject matter aside, a film that will please everyone ? even art house film fans. It has found a niche with some critics, and a fellow critic of mine (a mere 17 years of age ? ?Loved it!?) As for me, I am placing a C+ in my grade book, although the cast deserves higher.
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RENEE' COLLINS' REVIEW
RATING: 3.5 (Out of Five Reels)
This film, for me, was both a pleasant surprise and a slight disappointment. Colin Firth is absolutely outstanding in his role as George, an Englishman, middle aged college professor living in Los Angeles in the mid-nineteen sixties. George recently lost his partner, Jim (Matthew Goode) of sixteen years in a car crash. The film basically takes us through a day in his life trying to deal with the loss of the love of his life. I wonder how difficult it must have been for homosexuals during that time period. I suppose it was hard enough losing his partner, but I never felt he actually allowed himself to truly grieve.
Julianne Moore (Charley) portrays his best friend, a divorced alcoholic and does a convincing job as someone who is also trying to cope with the reality of life. I guess misery loves company. The character development is truly outstanding. The people he interacts with throughout the day are all interesting in their own way and I felt they only added to the overall story.
The slight disappointment is how seemingly slow the film progresses. Not only are things drawn out, but large portions are done in slow motion. For a while this annoyed me, but as the film progressed, I realized it is done to allow the viewer to experience how George felt while trying to deal with his enormous loss. That being said, this film is very well done and Firth is outstanding. Although it does drag a bit, it is worth a look.
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LIZ LOPEZ' REVIEW
RATING: B+
?A Single Man? is fashion designer Tom Ford?s film debut, co-written with David Scearce, adapted from the novel by Christopher Isherwood set in the early 1960?s Los Angeles. The story takes place during one day in the life of a middle age college professor, George (Colin Firth) who continues to grieve after the loss of his long time lover, Jim (Matthew Goode), in a car accident.
The themes of love, loss, and death are universal and though the film has these elements in the story, there are some movie viewers who will not want to see the film because it is love between two men. If there is still resistance to this topic in 2010, those of us who are not in that community can only imagine what it was truly like for them in the late 1950s to early 60s.
At the beginning of the film, the viewer does not know about Jim?s death, so it is not apparent at first that George is contemplating death at his own hand. It is evident that actions he takes in the morning appear a bit strange, but as the movie flows along, the reality of the extended grief is evident.
He leaves a monetary surprise bundled up in the freezer for the housekeeper, Alva (Paulette Lamori), and I was extremely curious why he was being so nice. Later as the reality of suicide set in during the film, I wondered to myself about the housekeeper?s reaction to the money. Was it a bonus because she has been a faithful housekeeper or because she has to clean up after he shoots himself?? Although his generosity works well in the film, I could not help being irritated at George?s plan.
As George?s day evolves, his plan is more evident as he makes changes in his office. A student of George?s, Kenny (Nicholas Hoult) appears overly interested during and after class, to the point he appears to stalk George. Kenny has the ?light in the loafers? look (the term that George?s male married neighbor used for him as he drove by) so it is apparent there is interest, but George is on his mission to die that day.
When George stops by the liquor store, there is an absolutely handsome young man named Carlos (Jon Kortajarena) standing outside and makes sure George does not miss him. Carlos and George have an English and Spanish language dialogue that makes Carlos think he has a new friend for the afternoon. George instead leaves alone and sets off to visit his friend Charley (Julianne Moore) for dinner that evening. I hope to see and hear more of Jon in future films in any language.
Both Colin and Julianne?s performances are outstanding. They are truly friends for years and the chemistry is so believable in the film. Former lovers in their youth before George pursued other interests, they relied on each other for moral support as they aged and were alone. The dinner scene with the two actors is one of my favorites in the film. She is excellent in portraying the aging beauty that self medicates by excessive drinking. Colin has a broad range of acting in different films and does well in all the varieties of characters. He is one actor whom I enjoy and recommend. Julianne?s costumes and home are so perfectly done to reflect the period, as well as those of the other characters in the film. Ford?s designs and work stands out well.
Overall, I believe audiences will enjoy this story of how the character evolves in one day with an anticipation of changing his life the next day. I will not reveal the ending, but it is a film that I would recommend for adults. Tom Ford has done well in trying this new career of feature length filmmaking.
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MARK SALDANA'S REVIEW
RATING: 3 (Out of 4 Stars)
Even in 2009 going into 2010, there still remains a stigma associated with homosexuality. The more open gay people have become with their lifestyle, the more accepting or tolerant some people have become with it. However, like other ignorance-based prejudices, whether it is directed towards race or gender, it probably will continue to exist in some shape or form. For members of the gay community, this problem will always be a factor that could inhibit their pursuit of happiness in their lives. A film like BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN portrays the sadness within the secret lives of closeted gay people during times when prejudice against this lifestyle was widespread. Opening in theaters is a film that examines a monogamous gay relationship in the 1960s that is destroyed by an unexpected tragedy.
Based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood, A SINGLE MAN is the heartbreaking story of a college professor coping with the tragic loss of his boyfriend. Colin Firth portrays George, the titular character who is attempting to carry on after losing the love of his life Jim (Matthew Goode) in an automobile accident. George has always been a very image-conscious man who has always felt it necessary to look his best and put his best face forward. Therefore, his gay lifestyle has always been kept very private. His only confidant is his ex-girlfriend Charley (Julianne Moore) who has some other issues of her own. After his failing attempts to recover from his grief, George faces a very lonely existence and despairs after considering his future without his love. A ray of hope comes in the form of admiration by his student Kenny (Nicholas Hoult). This unexpected development offers George a more positive outlook on his future and the first feelings of happiness since Jim?s death.
Adapted and directed by Tom Ford, A SINGLE MAN is a wonderful showcase of Firth?s acting talent and Ford?s potential for making great future films. Ford, who is a renowned fashion designer, makes his directorial debut with this film. Working with cinematographer Edward Grau, Ford displays a spectacular eye for beautiful visuals but tends to become a bit overindulgent by lingering on certain images way too long. Ford and his crew do use a visual technique that is quite remarkable in this film. Most of the movie has a cold, bleak look to it except for the moments in the story which bring happiness to George. Colors come to life in these moments even if they are just for a few seconds and even if they only highlight the object of beauty.
The script does develop Firth?s character quite well with flashbacks to happier times mixed with moments of his deep grief. Firth offers one of his better performances as the shattered George who is failing to continue with his life. The story overall, however, seems a bit shortsighted. While it is acknowledged that his lifestyle is kept secret there is little acknowledgement of the problems of prejudice during this era. This should be an important factor in this man?s life which would weigh on him when considering the possibility of carrying on after his lover?s death. There is also little recognition of the problems associated with George pursuing a gay relationship with one of his students. The introduction of the Charley character is a very nice touch, though.
As Charley, Julianne Moore does a great job. Charley is the sad, boozy, cougar-in-the-making best friend, confidant, and ex-lover of George. The addition of the character in George?s story is significant of a failed attempt at a more conventional lifestyle. Moore?s and Firth?s chemistry makes for some lovely screen time. The intimacy of their friendship is captured quite beautifully. As Kenny, the student with a crush, Nicholas Hoult (ABOUT A BOY) delivers a fine supporting performance indicating the bright potential of his career as an adult actor.
As a serious filmmaker, Tom Ford?s potential is indisputable. His first entry, while not a four star motion picture, is a fine and courageous way to start. While he does have a great eye for beauty, he needs to learn not to obsessively linger on these images. If the script had more well rounded story development that deals with the problems and real life conflicts present in a closeted gay lifestyle, this may have been an artistic masterpiece. I am very interested in any film projects Mr. Ford may have in the future.
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