When I first heard fashion maven Tom Ford was directing a feature length movie with genuine actors I have to admit to being sceptical. There's no doubting the man's creative spark in fashion but how I asked does that qualify him to direct two A-list actors in Colin Firth and Julianne Moore? I also wondered what Christopher Isherwood (he wrote the book the film is based on) thought of it all and wouldn't he have wanted a slightly more seasoned director at the helm of what surely was a pretty personal adaptation. Well my concerns should have taken a day off because Ford has done a more than capable job and A Single Man has ended up with 3 Golden Globe award nominations.
Firth plays George, a English High School teacher in Los Angeles in the early Sixties dealing with the loss of his partner of 16 years. When ee meet George he is still dealing with his grief and the movie shows us through flashbacks the happiness he had with Jim, played with a relaxed ease by Matthew Goode (Watchmen, Brideshead Revisited). This is a film that isn't rushed in anyway and Ford seems to luxuriate in the smallest of moments, allowing us the most intimate access to a man's agnony. Not that this is a particularly depressing film (it's no Dancer in the Dark!) and Firth cleverly plays George with a English steadfastness that all of us chaps turn to in moments of personal difficulty which never invites pity. The film almost meanders through this story of a man dealing with the unthinkable which makes it all the more jarring when we are introduced to Charley played frankly without much conviction by a usually excellent Julianne Moore. Her character is George's perpetually drunk friend who had a fling with him years ago and can't let go of her futile need to reignite the flame of romance that was long ago extinguished between them. Her performance is a rare stumble in another wise solid movie and while you would normally bet on Moore to be safe bet it's nothing but uncomfortable when she is on screen.
The same cannot be said of the exquisitely nuanced performance given by About a Boy's Nicholas Hoult (yes, the kid has grown up since 2002!). Once you are over the shock of recognition he plays his role of student infatuated with teacher beautifully. The scenes Firth and Hoult share in the movie are a pleasure to watch and there is no doubt in my mind that we are witnessing the birth of a very big name to come. You will soon see him in the upcoming Clash of the Titans but for now if you get to see this movie you should enjoy every moment of a very precise yet natural performance that positively emanates from the screen. Indeed it's Hoult's character of Kenny that holds the key to George's fate in this film and the final scenes are as intimate as they come and directed beautifully by Ford.
A Single Man was many things for me. A tale of loss, endurance and self-discovery with no big message other than reminding us to keep going when we feel like stopping the most. Yes, there were moments when you felt you were watching a very long fashion commercial but on reflection this was more about a stylized approach (the use of natural California light in the movie was breathtaking at times) that ultimately benefited a touching story as opposed to anything as vapid as fashion for fashion's sake. I find myself converted into a believer where this director is concerned because he showed me a Colin Firth I didn't know existed and launched the career of a young star that will hopefully be one of the most interesting actors we have seen for some time.
Rating: ****
1 comments:
I want to see this movie so bad but it's not playing near me. I can't wait to get my hands on it. Thanks for the review and I am so happy fo Colin Firth for finally making a statement in the business. Manya
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