A Single Man [DVD]

George: [whispered] Just get through the goddamn day. "
'A Single Man'

George wants to get through his goddamn day as he says. He takes us through a day, 24 hours. His lover, Jim has died, and the family will not recognize George. He cannot say a proper good-bye, but he remembers and grieves for Jim every day. He wonders if he will ever love again, or will he spend his life looking for love. George is a professor who is not able to share with his students his inner self, and this is troubling to him. George has a student looking for something, a bit of humanity in the days of the '60's. And, George, well he is looking too.

Colin Firth plays George in a performance like no other. We are engrossed and emerged in this man. His facial expressions convey so much emotion, it is sometimes difficult to keep watching. He is absolutely fascinating, and this is a performance to remember. Tom Ford is the director, and he has given us a glimpse of a gay man who is grieving. Mr Ford has structured a film around one man and his day, and this is a film that conveys everything that we might expect and more. Julianne Moore plays the woman who loves Geroge and wants more, but it is not to be. She is a woman alone and looking just as George is. Their dancing to 'Green Onions' by Booker T and The MGs is priceless and a sign of the 60's. The performances in this film are all extraordinary.

George is trying to put all of his things in order. He wants to take his own way out. He is a man who is precise but not natty. A man who looks good and dresses his part. Colin Firth is withdrawn and in pain, but we see hints of the man who wants life. His neighbors, friends and colleagues know him as one man, and we get to see his other side. All perfectly put together as he remembers his lover, Jim. This is a film to remember and to think about and to applaud.

Recommended. prisrob 07-28-10

Pride and Prejudice (Restored Edition)

Chloe

`A Single Man' is the excellent directional debut from Tom Ford and this offers up an artistic and visual treat. This is set in the sixties and follows a gay school teacher as he struggles to come to terms with the death of his long time partner. He works his way through one last day before he contemplates his suicide so he can be with his lover again. His deep sadness is potent throughout and yet as he goes through his day various small events give him a sense of life's wonder and promise. This has some wonderfully framed scenes and the use of colours and camera angles make this a very polished affair. Firth is exceptional in this and the relationship with his friend Charley (played by Julianne Moore) makes for some funny and heart warming scenes. The use of music in this film really adds to the beauty of the direction and together they create a stunning film. This is relatively short at just over 90 minutes but it is very well crafted and has the prefect tempo for the story being told. Firth deserves every accolade he received for this film and if Ford continues making films like this then he will rapidly become a director of distinction and one worth keeping an eye out for in future. All in all this is a moving and visually stunning film.

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This is no doubt one of my favourite films of all time. It is so because of its beautiful cinematography, outstanding acting, and brilliant soundtrack. Colin Firth delivers an absolutely amazing performance as George Falconer, a gay university professor in 1960's suburbia, grieving over the loss of his partner. Nicholas Hoult plays a student of Falconer's, and does so with exemplary emotion and character. The curious nature of the film's imagery and its plot will have you glued to the screen from start to finish. The soundtrack is brilliant- it is composed in such a way that it perfectly aligns with the emotion and austerity of the film's nature. This, rounded off with the stunning performances, set, and ingenious plot, makes this a true gem of film.