so last night i went to the cinema and watched 'a single man' with some friends. I was sad enough to be taking notes just for this blog, and just for my precious little readers.
So before getting into the finer details, i just have to say i loved the film, as did my friends. For those of you who have seen the trailer i would say that it doesn't truly convey the story line, as the story was different to how i had expected, and for those fans of Nicholas Hoult he is not in the film a great deal, well not as much as you would think from the trailer.
The film shows some great performances from all of the central characters. It is clear to see why Colin Firth has been nominated for best actor at the Oscars this year, his acting capability was sensational in this film, he conveyed convincingly real emotions. As if he wasn't a character, but living the film, a viewer could see the actor had truly embedded himself in the story, and dug deep into the script and himself. In one of the early scenes you see Colin, or George as he is in the film, discover about his partners death, within the blink of an eye his whole manner had changed. Not just the facial expressions, or tone in his voice but everything about his de mina had flipped. Of course, the film also starred Julianne Moore. Admittedly an actress i was not to familiar with, nevertheless a incredible performance. She played some middle aged divorcee, that was still in love with George from their teens, who loved to drink, smoke and have dramatic mood swings, most definitely like a character from absolutely fabulous.
A Single Man is most certainly an 'arty' film, and one i am not normally drawn to, and even this case i feel i was only attracted to the name behind the film and not the story itself, it would of been more likely a DVD watch than cinema under a different director. For Fords first film it is a great credit that showed real creative genius. Visually it was incredibly stylish, all suits by Tom Ford, and various other clothing items, great hair styles, cars, sensational architecture (i.e. George's house) and even went as far as the gun George had. An incredibly black Revolver, with silver finishing ...... not just any old gun. Colin constantly looked impeccable, even as a fashion student i did not think there could be huge difference in a white shirt, but George's white shirt was so much more, it perfectly fitted, button down colour and great sleeve detail, 3 buttons not just one. I guess that show's the difference between high street and luxury. However one peculiarity that kept coming to the forefront was characters telling George he didn't look to good, the man was wearing a Tom Ford suit who wouldn't look good? his skin was flawless, hair, even his expression, i felt nothing made him look 'unwell,' he was perhaps a lil too perfect, even his windsor knot and tie pin were perfect. Kenny (Nicholas Hoult's) tan was a little too perfect, well a bit orange, but yet their was subtle enhancements in the contrast, in turn enhancing his skin tone, and i can't give you my view why because i just don't know.
From an audio aspect a beautiful soundtrack was used. There was many overtures, heavily violin and string based, but exquisite, soft and silky, yet finely highlighted those dramatic moments. Even the sound of pouring rain was used just after the opening of the film, no dialog could be heard just rain, George run's through the rain to his best friend Charlotte's (Julianne Moore's) House. They both depict some true, from the heart acting, of course this is just after George discovers his partner has died. During one scene even the dialog discretely slips from English to Spanish, the words come from George as if he has been talking Spanish the whole time (possibly my favourite scene of the whole film). Here we see George meet a Spanish Man in a liquor store car park, here we see for the first time George isn't afraid to pay a compliment to man, since Jim's death, although it is possible to argue by doing it in spanish it is sort of a barrier or comfort blanket, as if it makes it ok.
The Film has constant flashback's to time's with Jim, which need no explanation as you'll understand when you watch, but there was also flashes to a naked body in the water, from start to finish, it is not until the end that we see it is George. He slowly gets closer and closer to the surface, as if he can finally gasp for air, just reaching the surface before he dies. I think symbolising how trapped and suffocated George was, he has been stuck in the same place since Jim died, unable to move on, but it's when he dies himself he sets himself free.
The film displays beautiful symmetry, that i think is unusual to most film. It starts when we see Jim's dead body, George approaches, lies next to him, and kisses his lips, yet it is not until the a few scenes later we realise he never was truly there, it is just a figment of his imagination as he is called to be informed off the death. And at the end of the film as George suffers a heart attack he falls to the floor, and in come's Jim, through George's blurred vision we see him, he leans down and presses his lips against George's, and his eyes close.
This film truly is great, my favourite thing about it is it is not overtly sexual, it isn't thrusted up in your face that this film is based on a gay couple, there is no sex scenes like a typical contemporary film like broke back mountain. This film truly is for everyone, not just arty people or those going for Tom Ford. I could write so much more, and ive have only spoke about half of my notes but it's just getting too long now ..... sorry for those who many want more.
A Single Man
A Film by Tom Ford
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