Fashion designer Tom Ford has made a new film called A Single Man, based on the book of the same name by Christopher Isherwood. The story takes place in the early 1960s in LA. It is a day in the life of a college professor named George, played by Colin Firth (aka Mr. Darcy in Michael Caine black plastic glasses). George's partner of 16 years, Jim, was recently killed in a car accident. George is mopey and distracted, and is planning his suicide. We see George's relationship with his dead partner through several flashbacks, which are some of the best moments of the film.
Julianne Moore is Charley, a former girlfriend, current close friend and neighbor. Julianne gets to ham it up with a British accent. Her character also feels sorry for herself because she is also alone and wishing George would get interested in her again.
In Director Tom Ford surreal world, nearly everyone is gorgeous, white and well dressed (he is a fashion a designer after all). There are also lots of artsy touches -- dream scenes of naked bodies floating in dark water, philosophical speeches, owls flying from trees, and the like. It just seems he is trying too hard for artsy.
Poor George has his share of stunning young men propositioning him. Gee... I wish I had that problem. One is a very handsome college student that stalks him and manages to get naked quite a bit, though there is nothing too graphic (i.e. no wee wee shots).
Though it is a beautifully made film, there is not much drama or anything that interesting. The ending seems very flat and unsatisfying. When George brings that sexy student home (soaking wet I might add), I was waiting for someone to offer someone a massage. Instead, they decided on the need for a shower. It started to seem like a beautifully shot, well-lit porn movie with a very depressed main character.
Overall, I give A Single Man two out of five blue sponges for some good visuals.
