Had been really looking forward to seeing this film - but what a let-down it was. Talk about being ponderous and leaden! (It grieves me to say this as the director, Tom Ford sporting a beard, is such a hottie!) Although there have been reservations with the critics here about the film itself, they have been unanimous in saying that Colin Firth, as the titular gay man who had lost his lover through a car accident some months earlier, gives the performance of his career. Indeed he is nominated as 'Best Actor, for both the BAFTAs in London and the ensuing Oscars. I'm not going to argue with that though I do wish this film had been a more worthy vehicle. Is it just me? On the IMDb site I see that over 75% of voters have awarded the film a mark of 8/10 or over, with nearly a quarter giving it a perfect 10. That's ridiculous. I've yet to see a film in my entire life worthy of a faultless maximum score. In fact in my books there just have been only a handful of 9s - ever. So I have, maybe over-generously, given 'A Single Man' a 5/10, as have a surprisingly mere 2% of others. I couldn't honestly recommend the film - but the emphasis is on the 'I'.
Btw. Maybe one day there'll be an out-gay actor who is nominated, or perhaps awarded, or even just known, for playing a hetero character? I say 'out-gay' just in case ;-) there could possibly be others who were closet-gay (leaving a certain R. Hudson aside). But that is so unlikely, right?
2 hours ago
I didn't require coffee this am to jolt me awake - your review did that. We are in strong disagreement. I thought this was one of the most beautiful films that I have ever seen. The beginning of the film and the ending of the film were just so poetic. Remember, this was the 50's and times were just so different. How heartbreaking it was, that there was no one to share his grief with. Tom Ford, I believe, did a masterful job. When this film is released to dvd it will be added to my collection.
ReplyDeleteNow I HAVE to see that movie. LOL
ReplyDeleteI just checked the cinema's website, and it's not even playing. I don't know if the film is not yet released in the US, or if it has already had its run and I missed it.
Pleased you liked it, Paul - Really! I was clearly not on the same wavelength as you. Of course we all have different buttons that need pressing - and it succeeded for you, which I totally accept and don't decry for one moment, though for me it had a high 'look-at-watch' factor. But as with all things, when someone sees high merit in a particular work of 'art', be it literature, music, cinema or anything else, and I just cannot see it myself, I tend to feel envious of the other person in that it is I who am the one missing out on an enriching experience. In this case it looks like I need to see the film again, which I shall do, but probably only when it comes up on TV. Thanks for your much-appreciated comment anyway, Paul.
ReplyDeleteBtw what was that near the start of the film about the missing dog? I thought it was going to lead to something significant but it wasn't mentioned again. A case of something being lost in the editing, d'you think?
Larry, I'll be surprised if it's not released in the U.S., at least in art-house cinemas, especially since it also features the wonderful Julianne Moore. But since Mr Firth is nominated for an Oscar (which, we know Jeff Bridges is going to win - if only as a 'long-service to film' award) there will probably be be increased interest in the film.
The story is one of loss and loneliness. Having been denied the chance to say goodbye to his lover, George has also been denied the company of his partner's and his dogs, whom they both adored. Not knowing what became of the other dog certainly contributes to his angst. To answer Larry's question: The film was released in the US, but only a limited release which means it probably did not play in the multiplexes. I saw it in Albany, N.Y. which is the capital of NYS. Even here it only played at an arthouse. Still getting good business there.
ReplyDeletePaul, your opinion accords pretty well exactly with probably the most respected 'high-brow' film critic here, though I still can't see it when you say it's "One of the most beautiful films (you) have ever seen." I found the idea of bringing up and toning down the colour at key moments interesting but also distracting. Another critic said watching the film was like looking through a furnishings catalogue! As for the missing dog, it may have been like that in Isherwood's original book so I'll accept that that may have been the way it was.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with 睡衣 on this one. Just kidding. I can't really read Chinese, but I can copy and paste. I also was not overwhelmed by this film. I reviewed it on my website and gave it just 2 out of 5 blue sponges. Nice site Raybeard!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark - and I'm really flattered you like my site. I've now got you on my 'watch list' too. I see Colin Firth won 'Best Actor' award at our BAFTAs on Sunday (British equivalent of your 'Oscars'), but that was hardly a surprise. I think it was well-enough merited - 'Crazy Heart' doesn't open here till next week. Andy Serkis (who was the 'model' for Gollum in the 'Rings' trilogy) was just as good as Firth, in a film as the invalided rock star Ian Dury, but I reckon Dury won't have been heard of much in the USA. Pleased that 'Hurt Locker' one 'Best Film' over 'Avatar'. It was by far the worthiest film in the 5 nominated - and I wasn't that impressed by 'Avatar' anyway, even though I saw it in 3D, my first such entire film seen in that mode.
ReplyDelete