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Title: A Single Man
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| CONSUMER ADVICE |
Parents,there are very mature themes, language, and nudity in this film . Recommended for ages 18 and up. |
“A Single Man” is the directorial debut of Tom Ford, who was previously a fashion photographer. As such he has an eye for visuals that even some of the best directors don’t have. He knows how to properly use color to convey emotion and deep feelings. Many of the shots in this movie have the potential to become iconic. The first of many is when main protagonist George Falcon (Colin Firth) is lying in bed, having just woken up from a nightmare. He lies in bed as a fresh ink blot covers most of the sheets. It’s a very simple shot, but very poetic: It suggests our hero is suicidal. This is understandable seeing that his partner of many years recently died in a car crash.
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Not only that, but seeing that the parents never cared for their sons homosexual lifestyle, George was told not to come to the funeral. His only comfort during the ordeal was that of his best friend Charlie (Julianne Moore) who secretly sees the situation as an opportunity to get back together with George, who she had a relationship with years before. From the first ten minutes of the film I was swept up in the whole movie. Here was a movie with style, grace, and depth that is so commonly missing from the summer movies. A movie with real characters that is about something. George’s tragedy was relatable to everyone regardless of sexual orientation, and Firth’s performance is one of such deep subtlty that my heart was screaming “Oscar” all the way though.
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Where the movie fails though is it’s ability to go anywhere with this. Throughout all the movie reviews I saw they mentioned that George was a closeted homosexual. I figure they must be reading the press release, as the fact of him being closeted or not is vague. Though George does not openly pronounce his sexuality, if it is supposed to be a secret then it’s a poorly kept secret, for all his friends know he’s gay. For that matter, the male prostitute at the convieniance store also seems to know, so I don’t know where people are getting the idea that he’s closested. My second problem is that this movie is about two things, and it only does one thing well. The storyline of George trying to get on with his life now that it’s been changed for the worst is powerful, compelling storytelling.
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The second half, where George falls in love with a student who is interested in him is less compelling. While I agree that the theme of moving on was probably nessicary, the young boy who falls in love with George is given little personality. That he loves George is obvious, the movie just doesn’t give us a compelling reason for why he loves him. For that matter, Georges friend Charlie is so obnoxious she’s more pathetic then sympathetic. If she is indeed his most meaningful relationship then no wonder he contemplated suicide. It’s a tough call for me as “A Single Man” is a very polished effort for a new director. It’s just not polished enough, and if this were a seasoned director most people would have caught on to the weaker aspects the movie. Ford shows potential though, so I look forward to his next film.
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