Once upon a time Rockford had a theater with multiple screens that played exclusively what they classified as "art house" films. Regrettably, Rockford didn't have enough people, like myself, that enjoyed the artsier films and they closed it's doors. Bad, bad Rockford. You're gonna have to break out of this conservative box eventually, or, I'm gonna have to move. I imagine it will be the later. This being the case, Amazing Husband and I frequently drive north or south to see films. Yesterday we traveled to Barrington to see "A Single Man".
Set in 1962, A Single Man follows George, a gay man who has recently lost his partner of sixteen years, through a significant day in his life. It is filmed in a very stylized way with the colors going from warm to cool depending on the emotion, and this film is all about emotion.
Colin Firth is brilliant. More than brilliant. If he doesn't get every award out there I'll be surprised. Watching the scene where he receives the phone call that his partner has been killed, delivered by a cousin because the parents of the deceased refuse to acknowledge George as part of Jim's life, just broke my heart. Broke. my. heart. I admit to having a soft spot for Mr. Firth, but in this film he transcends everything else I've ever seen him in. He plays George with such grace and depth that it's simply beautiful to watch. Heart breaking-ly beautiful.
Tom Ford has done a fantastic job with this quietly profound story. The colors, the costumes, the music, everything you see and hear are pieces of the story that are necessary to tell it. I can't imagine how he edited it or let any image go. I've read other reviewers report that the film is a commentary on being gay in the sixties, and certainly it opened a window to that, but for me, it is about love and life and the beauty of those things.
I recommend it highly and in the theater rather than putting it on your Netflix que. It needs all the theater has to offer to fully absorb it. If you've seen it I'd love to hear your review.
Oy, I keep going back and forth about wanting to see this film and then not... I think it's so important to remember that this still happens to people. STILL HAPPENS. Even typing that makes me so very sad. And angry. And I am trying to keep things positive around here. . . not sure this would do that.
I do love, Colin Firth, though.
Posted by: wenders | January 17, 2010 at 03:25 PM