Film Informant Mobile Site iPhone App
Follow us on

Dvd

A Single Man

A Single Man

2009

This is the feature film debut from fashion designer Tom Ford (the man responsible for the overhaul of the Gucci label in the late '90s/early '00s and for setting up his own fashion house called, naturally, Tom Ford).

The film, based on the Christopher Isherwood novel of the same name, charts a day in the life of George Falconer (Colin Firth) a gay British college professor living in L.A. in the '60s. His long-term partner has just died, and George is carefully planning his suicide.

Starring Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult, Matthew Goode, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jon Kortajarena

Directed by  Tom Ford (feature debut)

Written by Tom Ford, David Scearce (based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood)

Festivals & Awards BAFTA winner for Best Actor (Colin Firth), 2010.

Drama | 1hr 39mins | Rated (M) | Contains Adult Themes | Origin: USA | Official Site »

Trailers
Reviews
  • SHARE:
    Tweet This Send to Facebook Email View more services

The Talk

18 votes / No comments

0

Want to see it

What say you? Yes No

  •  

     

  • Be the first to comment!

  •  

     

Get it off your chest:

Want to see it?

Flicks review

  •  4

    Andreas Heinemann, Flicks.co.nz

    Andreas Heinemann, Flicks.co.nz

    Flicks Writer

    One of the highlights of the recent World Cinema Showcase, A Single Man heralds a bright new talent in the form of first-time feature director Tom Ford and also features the performance of a lifetime from Colin Firth. Whilst its experimental tendencies regarding both narrative form and aesthetic presentation situate it squarely in the art house, the film has the star power, emotion and style to appeal to a much wider audience.

    Rookie director Ford is a fashion designer by trade, a trait that becomes obvious as he imbues every frame with a sense of visual mastery far beyond your average first-timer. Be it colour, composition or movement – Ford seems to have a natural ability to use the camera to create a vivid but tasteful milieu that works as both an eye-catching palette and an expressive representation of grief.

    Firth received an Oscar nomination for his performance and was unlucky not to win for this turn. He plays his character with admirable restraint, merely hinting at the breakdown that is unraveling behind his stiff upper lip. Even more remarkable than his performance may be the fact that Julianne Moore is able to steal every scene she is in, high praise when she is paired with Firth.

    Agree? Disagree?...

The people's reviews

10 reviews

  • Beautiful. And Heartbreaking.

     5

    BrionyJae

    Superstar (?)

    This has become one of my favourite films of all time. Colin Firth captures the sense of the narrator George absolutely perfectly - his phrases haunt you long after the film ends. The cinematography is so cleverly done - with the different coloured tints/lighting to indicate certain things, and all the symbols such as the clocks ticking... it all adds to the overall vision of the film.

    It truly does the book justice! :)

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • An exquisite film of beauty and sadness

     4

    Allo2JasonIsaacs

    A-Lister (?)

    Immaculate design and gorgeous cinematography, every frame is infused with a sensual warmth. Colin Firth is simply wonderful in a fantastically understated performance. He expresses a huge amount of emotion with a minimal amount of expression. Outstanding acting in a stylish and emotionally charged film

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Butiful watch

     5

    Emma-Kate

    Nobody (?)

    this movie was a stunning watch. It was very sad and it had top notch acting and costumes. I dont understand why it was not nominated for best picture at the 2010 oscars

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • I liked it

     4

    keeshy

    Superstar (?)

    Not your usual film at all, so glossy and ad-like as others have said, but I liked it a lot. Its poetic, a very careful study, with admirable acting. I enjoyed the overall mood and simple complexity.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Beautifully designed

     4

    Weds_Loafers

    Superstar (?)

    This movie has the most off-putting trailer we have ever seen, so it comes as a total surprise that it is such a good movie. A very simple story but the acting is superb and the filming and settings are up to the same standard. Highly recommended.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • captivating

     4

    Coreena

    A-Lister (?)

    a very pleasant watch.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Review

     4

    angela reading

    Nobody (?)

    Best movie I have seen for a long time.Up close and personal a circle of life unfolds before our eyes. Through a brilliantly controlled performance by Colin Firth. We are so close to this man's grief that we can read every blink,every thought and every conversation that he has with the other members of this cast. I love the glossy well groomed aesthetic provided by Tom Ford and his crew that adds to the richness of Colin and Julliane's great acting ability. So few good films like this anymore, it was a pleasure to watch.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Beautiful

     5

    Rob

    Nobody (?)

    Truly deserves the excellent press it has been getting. BAFTA well deserved and OSCAR nomination certainly appropriate too - nice one Colin! I usually can't stand Julianne Moore, and think this was the best from her in a long, long time too. Definitely worth a look if you like quality film. Oddly enough too, it won't be the same at home on DVD, without some sort of crowd to watch it with... Don't miss.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Truely Wonderful

     5

    Oliver

    Nobody (?)

    This is essentially a perfect film. Perhaps the most visually compelling piece of cinema I've ever seen Its remarkably beautiful, the art direction is superb (as you might expect from fashion designer Tom Ford), the cinematography sings.

    A film about the incommunicable anguish of loss that manages to be both heart breaking and life affirming simultaneously.

    While the supporting players are uniformly excellent, this is Colin Firth's show and he is extraordinary. This represents something of a career best for Firth - too good a performance for even the Academy to reward.

    If you're a lover of cinema, see A Single Man as soon as you can - The first great film of this new decade - its just breathtaking.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Simple story......

     2

    murray swann

    Nobody (?)

    This is a simple story really...nothing special.The main character Georges lover has died and he wants to as well. Hohum. Julianne Moore has some good scenes and so does Nicholas Hoult....hes hot in the beach swim/and later in the apartment scenes....but its all fairly dull. I liked it but lacked any guts. Colin Firth overacts in most of it....and becomes painful. Its okay but nothing to rave about.

    Agree? Disagree?...

View all reviews

Write your review...

  • After submitting your review, you will need to login or signup to Flicks.
    Don't worry though, we'll keep your review and post it after you're done.

Press Reviews

  • Chicago Tribune

    Some films aren't revelations, exactly, but they burrow so deeply into old truths about love and loss and the mess and thrill of life, they seem new anyway. A Single Man is one such film, one of the best of 2009.
    Read full review

  • Empire (UK)

     4

    It sounds like a downer but A Single Man is exciting, emotionally alive filmmaking, a potent cocktail of style and substance. And Firth thoroughly deserves the Oscar.
    Read full review

  • Guardian (UK)

     3

    Colin Firth is outstanding in a Christopher Isherwood adaptation, but some scenes in Tom Ford's stylish directing debut are outrageously ad-like.
    Read full review

  • Hollywood Reporter

    Sensitive and stylish.
    Read full review

  • NZherald.co.nz (Peter Calder)

     2

    Beautiful and utterly lifeless.
    Read full review

  • Rolling Stone (USA)

    The film belongs to Firth. Uncanny at showing the heart crumbling under George's elegant exterior, he gives the performance of his career.
    Read full review

  • Times (UK)

     4

    In A Single Man Colin Firth gives a performance of polished despair that fully deserves his Oscar nomination as best actor.
    Read full review

  • TV3 (Kate Rodger)

    Firth is just one reason to see this film.
    Read full review

  • tvnz.co.nz (Darren Bevan)

     4

    A Single Man is a slice of sophisticated cinema; it's slick (perhaps a little too much in places) but thanks to Colin Firth, it's a hypnotic film which will be cherished by many.
    Read full review

  • Variety

    Like the speck of sand that seeds a pearl, it’s the tiny fleck of kitsch at the heart of “A Single Man” that makes it luminous and treasurable, despite its imperfections.
    Read full review

  • ViewNewzealand.co.nz (Matt Turner)

     3

    The film looks utterly gorgeous throughout, thanks to Eduard Grau's stunning cinematography and some impeccable 1960s set design work.
    Read full review

Search For a DVD

I beg your pardon?

  • Flicks.co.nz is serving the great nation of NZ with all things cinematic. Question about a movie or cinema? Thoughts on the site? Quips, gripes, advice for our own personal self-development?
  • Get in touch with us by email at ED@ FLICKS.CO.NZ,on TWITTER oron FACEBOOK.

Trailers

Flicks.co.nz is a Flicks.co.nz Ltd production, starring:

...and an unashamed love of the movies.
Flicks.co.nz's official rating: Pretty good, but not perfect.

Disclaimer: Greetings. Flicks.co.nz is produced by Flicks.co.nz Ltd. © all information except that which specifically pertains to included cinemas, movies, competitions or advertisers. We do our darndest to ensure all film, cinema & session time information on Flicks.co.nz is accurate. But pobody's nerfect, and Flicks.co.nz Ltd nor any advertiser accepts liability for information that may be inaccurate. For more information view our Terms & Conditions.
Mobile Site | iPhone App | Flicks on Facebook | Flicks on Twitter | Content Supply & Advertising |  Site built by Pixel Fusion |  Site designed by Impero

We're gonna need a bigger boat

Flicks User Ratings

Find out more