Everyone's A Critic

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1. Robert Gallop
   Posted February 17, 2010 at 13:10 | #

   The “Everyone’s A Critic” Review

   Being directed by a fashion designer in some cases would spell disaster for film fans. But, here Tom Ford has given us an exquisite debut picture.

   Based on a novel of the same name, “A Single Man” tells the story of an English professor, George, who is left reeling after the sudden death of his long-term partner, Jim.

   Set in the ’50′s, George lives in a time where he cannot be open about his sexuality and hence must essentially deal with this unbearable loss on his own. What follows is a look at a day in the life of this crumbling man as he contemplates ending it all. We follow him through his daily routines, we now feel like arduous takes under the weight of his grief, see him try to inspire his students and finally share an evening with his closest friend, Charley (an, as always, excellent Julianne Moore).

   What is remarkable is how this first time director immediately captures the time he is portraying and lives of these people we have only just met; particularly in the scenes between George and Charley and George and Jim, you can feel the love and history shared between these people.

   Colin Firth deserves all the praise currently going his way – his interpretation of George shows us a man at once strong and sure of himself, while at the same time deeply wounded.

   The only negative comment I have on this film is that at times it felt too stylised which took away from the ability to truly empathise with these characters, leaving what should have been a hugely emotional ending somewhat lacking.

   However, all in all, this is a tremendous film and this film-goer is certainly looking forward to seeing more work in the film world from Tom Ford.

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