Today's movie was the 2009 film A Single Man directed by famed fashion designer Tom Ford and starring Colin Firth in the Oscar nominated role of George Falconer.
This is the first film by Ford and it is an almost perfect combination of style and substance. Ford delivers the style in superb art direction, costumes, sets and lighting, while Firth and Juliann Moore deliver the substance in two superbly acted roles, assisted by a screenplay also written by Ford. The film belongs to Firth. he is in every scene and his performance is magnificent.
The movie tells the story of a man living the last day of his life. He knows it is the last day, because at the end of the day, when everything is done and well ordered, he plans to kill himself. George prevents a facade to the world that conceals everything, yet Firth acts in such away that the smallest facial gestures tell us everything. The movie follows George as he goes about his day with the understanding that he is doing everything for the final time. His last sunset, his last hours with his best friend. The director carefully adjusts the tone and color of the film to emphasize the way George is seeing so many things for the first, and last, time.
The film is based on the book by Christopher Isherwood and it held personal meaning for Ford. He financed the film himself to get it made and served as producer as well as director and writer. Coming from a background of photography and fashion design the film is slightly over stylized but it's a small quibble for such a magnificent film that engaged me, moved me and made me want to remember that beauty is found in the smallest details.
At The Movie House rating ***1/2 stars
1 comment:
My wife loved this movie and said it was very sad. I watched about 20 minutes of it and could tell it was well done but I was in the middle of cleaning my basement so I could not watch it all. So, I'll give it three stars.
By the way, even though i am anonymous, you should call my wife sometime. She misses you and wonders why you do not call. Her father is dying. It is very sad. He liked you very much, you should ask her about him.
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