I know we are only in the second week in February but this one is going to take some beating: A Single Man. It is one that critics seem to have been raving about but as I've already found out this year films don't necessarily live up to the hype but this one certainly did.
Colin Firth is on cracking form playing George, a gay professor in early 60's America (nice to see him finally not hiding his acting skills under a rom-com/com-dram). He has recently lost his long term lover Jim (Matthew Goode) in a car crash and the film follows a 24-hour period where he seemingly goes through the motions of getting through a normal day while putting his affairs in order and making final preparation for taking his own life.
He goes to work, he goes to the bank, he even goes to his friend Charley's (Julianne Moore) house for dinner but through it all and even when both men and women are flirting with him, his grief is palpable.
There is no raging or hysterics, it is all in his face.
Having blubbed my way through the wonderful, wonderful Bright Star last November I didn't think there would be a film so soon that would prick my tear ducts to the same extent but this grabbed my heart and squeezed it until I nearly sobbed.
I had to sit through the credits just to compose myself.
I usually post the trailer but it just doesn't adequately represent the film I saw last night (at the marvellous big screen at the Mayfair Curzon).
I thought this was amazing too. The underwater metaphor, the way that Colin Firth can just convey so much with his demeanor. He did it a couple times in P & P, he just changed the feel by one minute change in his face. I was thoroughly impressed with the hole production. Made me want to read the book.
Posted by: Ginger_sister | 15/02/2010 at 12:14 AM
Yes you are completely right. I think he is a much under rated actor and I hope in having played this part it will open up more interesting roles for him to get his teeth into.
The book is now on my list.
Posted by: Rev Stan | 15/02/2010 at 07:22 AM
(Sorry that my 'w' key didn't read my mind and manually correct my spelling mistake. I really know the difference between whole and hole).I hope CF gets some better roles too. I mean, not that we don't love him as Mark Darcy, but...hmm...Fever Pitch?
Posted by: Ginger_sister | 15/02/2010 at 10:29 PM
No apology necessary. I knew what you meant, which is the whole point of language after all and besides, I mis-type all the time (you should see my tweets).
I never really liked the Bridget Jones books or films (did they make a second one?) and I've never seen Fever Pitch either. I only ever think of him in Pride & Prej and Love Actually which probably says a lot about the roles he's played.
Posted by: Rev Stan | 16/02/2010 at 07:20 AM