A Single Man by Tom Ford

Colin Firth is a Single Man in Tom Ford's movie debut. When I first heard the news that Tom Ford was making a movie I thought "my God, are there no limits to the man's ambition?" Then after its release I read one glowing review after the other. Obviously the powers that be are pleased with the movie.

Colin Firth is praised for his acting, and is even nominated for an Oscar I understand, but in my opinion Colin Firth is once again portraying a rather Colin Firth-y character: a very pleasant introverted men who says a lot less than he thinks. A man with a deep and heavy soul. A man very much desirable in all his understatement. Firth portrays the main character of the movie, a gay college professor who recently and traumatically has lost his lover, beautifully. Only at two moments in the movie I found he over-acted his portrayal of a gay man: first there was the rather awkward dancing scene with leading lady Julianne Moore, then there was the contrived running on the beach (shoulders down but underarms up in the air) on the nightwsimming scene. But those details can be forgiven, I suppose.

During the first ten or so minutes of the movie I felt very much as if I was witnessing a Mad Men episode with new characters. The stylish early 1960s, the suits, the dresses, the perfect interiors are just amazing. If the movie were to be compared to a piece of knitwear it would be a Brunello Cuccinelli sweater: immaculate, perfect, luxurious, and understated down to the smallest detail. This Mad Men feel does leave one though, after some time. What did not leave me was the constant awareness of the fact that it was Tom Ford who made this movie. The sensibility of the clothes is so very Tom Ford. The dark suits, perfect white shirts. Unmistakenably and Unescapably Tom Ford. It would perhaps have been braver if he'd chosen another style of dressing for his movie debut than the very style of dressing that made him a world-famous fashion designer. For this reason I would also be very curious to see what he will choose as the clothing style for his inevitable second movie.

On the whole the one-day journey of mourning, suicidal planning, and eventual brightening that we witness is a most convincing one (flashbacks probably take up a third of the movie). In all it is a very good and memorable movie. A Single Man is well-paced, the dialogue is interesting and subtle, and the sexual tension tangible yet elegant, and although every now and then the imagery has a hint of fashion or fragrance advertising, on the whole it is magically beautiful.

Overall judgement: 3 stars out of 5