One of the benefits of moving to the bay from the valley is getting to see art films that no theater in the Armpit Of California would dare show. So this weekend Mike and I ventured over to the Embarcadero Plaza to take in Tom Ford’s directorial debut in A Single Man.
The movie follows a British expat, George (Colin Firth), living and teaching in Los Angeles in the JFK era shortly after his partner, Jim (Matthew Goode), of 16 years died. Firth puts forth a pretty good performance of a man struggling with grief while still managing to at least go through the motions of everyday life. Aided by fellow emigre, fag hag and ex-lover, Charlotte (Julianne Moore), he’s managed to do pretty well. Except for the whole bit where he’s living in a world where he couldn’t even attend his partner’s funeral nor really talk about his pain with anyone.
Nicholas Hoult is the kind of stalker I'd like to have
This all has apparently taken its toll as George start’s the film outby tucking a gun into his brief case and clearing out his office at work. Coupled with the seemingly inevitable downfall of the entire human race by nuclear holocaust, Firth’s character seems determined to end things before they get worse.
This plan comes to fruition in a surprisingly humorous scene involving a sleeping bag and said gun but is ruined by the subsequent intervention of fag hag who is still in love with him and a stunningly pretty student (Jonathan Hoult – See:blue eyes) who has been stalking George throughout the entire film.
The film is beautifully shot and full of beautiful people too. Granted, Tom Ford’s penchant for svelte young men shows
Do all Spaniards look this good?
through but there’s a distinct emphasis on beauty of all types, from sunset’s (Which prompted my new favorite quote, “Sometimes even an awful thing has its own kind of beauty”) to flowers to animals to Julianne Moore. The film has a peculiar use of color that I found interest – for the most part the film is drab and washed out, except for when something happens that makes George feel more alive and suddenly the screen is awash in color. Hollywood’s recent obsession with mood coloring has gotten a little drab but this was a refreshing take that had a pretty good affect.
A Single Man also tackles some pretty weighty issues but does so in a way that doesn’t leave you feeling like you’ve been preached to. Ironically the underlying message seems to be the validity and staying power of homosexual relationships but almost the entirety of the film focuses on superficial aspects, so I’m not entirely sure what to make of it. Though to be fair George doesn’t actually sleep with anybody in what appears to be some sense of loyalty to his deceased spouse.
Overall the film is visually enticing and pretty moving (Firth’s waterworks display is pretty impressive, if nothing else), though the ending left something to be desired but I won’t spoil that part for you. If you get the chance, go see it so at least you’ll know why it wins whatever Oscar inevitably comes its way.
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