A SINGLE MAN /
LOS ANGELES SCREENING [NO SPOILERS]
Alek and I had the pleasure to be invited to a screening of A Single Man by Tom Ford, in Beverly Hills.
We both agree that A Single Man is one of the best movies we have seen. Just like Tom Ford creates haute-couture this movie could be categorize in haute-cinema if such a thing existed ;-)
Tom Ford is taking us on a spiritual journey. And because "the small things in life really are the big things" every single detail has Tom Ford's signature all over, with the style and sex you would expect from him. As a result, the film is both moving and beautiful to watch.
A Single Man puts you face to face with the most simple and basic things in life. The fear of the unknown [which includes minorities like the gay community] the grief, living in the present. A Single Man may be a movie about death but it has life at its center.
"I first read the book "A Single Man" by Christopher Isherwood in the early 1980's and was moved by the honesty and simplicity of the story. At that time, I was in my early twenties. Three years ago, after searching for the right project to develop as my first film it occurred to me that I often thought of this novel and it's protagonist, "George." I picked it up and read it again. Now in my late forties, the book resonated with me in an entirely different way. It is a deeply spiritual story, of one day in the life of a man who cannot see his future. it is a universal tale of coming to terms with the isolation that we all feel, and of the importance of living the present and understanding that small things in life really are the big things in life."
- Tom Ford
Photo of Nicholas Hoult by Tom Ford for OUT magazine
Nicholas Hoult was brillant in the role of Kenny, even tho he was not Tom Ford's original choice I cannot imagine and see another actor feating that role so well. There is something about Nicholas and since everything happens for a reason, whatever was the reason that made the original actor not showing up on the first day of filming was meant to be!
We loved how Tom Ford has created a distinctive cinematic style with his use of color boosts through out the movie, from the default washed-out look to more colorful depending on George's state of mind. Sometimes it is an entire scene, like the one with male model [and amazing actor by the way] Jon Kortajarena.
Photo of Jon Kortajarena not from the movie
If it is no coincidence that the movie is release on December 11th, just in time for awards consideration, that only because Colin Firth and Julianne Moore are both giving Oscar's worthy performances. So is Tom Ford's direction!
Photo of Julianne Moore not from the movie
The movie also features Matthew Goode aka Jim, George's lover. A Single Man [The Weinstein Company] was written and directed by Tom Ford, and based on the Christopher Isherwood novel.
A Single Man opens in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco on December 11th, expanding wider on December 25th. If you haven't seen the trailer yet you can watch it below.
