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The superb “A Single Man” is out on DVD!

http://www.vimooz.com/festivalticker/public_html/festivalticker/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/single-man-colin-firth.jpg

http://images.askmen.com/entertainment/movie/1257521915_a-single-man-review_1.jpgIf you missed A Single Man when it was in theaters, you will most certainly want to rent or buy this film which became available on DVD this week.

It is beyond remarkable that this gorgeous film is the directorial debut for fashion designer Tom Ford.

The movie is set in the early 60s and stars a never-better Colin Firth as closeted college professor George Falconer who is is so depressed over the death of Jim, his partner of 16 years (Matthew Goode) that he is planning to kill himself. We see him methodically preparing for this (taking care of paperwork, leaving notes for friends, cleaning out safety deposit box, buying bullets).

Along the way, he has some unexpected encounters with a student (Nicholas Hoult), fellow teachers (Lee Pace) and a gorgeous hustler (Jon Kortajarena). Some momentarily bring him back to life. Then there is a final dinner with his best friend Charlotte (or Charley) who is played to divine perfection by Julianne Moore.

The scenes between Firth and Moore are a real highlight as they run the gamut from dancing to fighting to reminiscing. Charley has always loved George and still seems to hold out hope that his being gay is a phase. She’s infuriating in that moment! Moore is quite a vision with her 60s hair and clothes and make-up and her English accent is spot on.

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As the young student Kenny, Hought’s (pictured above) beautiful blue eyes star at George in a mesmerizing way and the young actor, now 20, shows us how nicely he has grown since appearing in About a Boy as a child actor.
A Single Man [DVD]Firth earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal and Moore really should have gotten a supporting nod. We really feel like we are eavesdropping on what he plans as the last day of his life and we are rooting for him to somehow come out the other end and find a reason to want to keep living.

The movie would be strong with the acting alone but the beauty of the sets and the capturing of the 60s time period is a real achievement as are the use of flashbacks and dreams.

Based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood, we are also reminded of the secrecy gay men were forced to live in and the lack of common decency others showed them. George is informed of his lover’s death only because a relative of Jim’s had the heart to call him despite the wishes of Jim’s parents who banned him from the funeral.

The fact that that can still happen nearly 50 years later is one of the many reasons for marriage equality.

The DVD features commentary with producer-director Tom Ford and the feature The Making of A Single Man.

FILE UNDER: DVD

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