Review: A Single Man

You definitely can tell that A Single Man's director is a fashion designer (Tom Ford) the film is aestetically pleasing almost too much. Every character's clothing, hair and every set is expertly designed and the film is obssessed by colours. It's also evident that this is Ford's debut feature as the first half of the film seems to be obsessed with seeing what he can play around with - there are so many slow-motion shots that I lost count and the camera doesn't seem to be able to settle down. But the second half of the film, focusing on Colin Firth's character slipping further into depression, is very well done and very focused. As the story is set over one day we get to know the central characters Firth's professor George, Julianne Moore's alcholic best friend Charlie and Nicholas Hoult as George's student Kenny. All three are incredibly brilliant in their roles Firth definitely deserved all the awards and nominations he got and its a shame he didn't win more. Without him the film would've completely fell down but his performance is tragic, comic and lifelike. His relationship with Moore is the film's only constant and they share great chemistry seeing as they had never met before the film began. My one criticism is that Moore didn't feature enough as I thought she did. Meanwhile, Hoult manages to push memories of Skins aside with a very measured and mature performance as he idolises George more and more as the film continues.

Even though the film is slightly over-designed there's no denying that Ford has an eye for period detail. The costumes and the set make you feel that you are in the 1960s especially the interior of Charlie's flat which is brilliant. Overall a brilliantly acted film and a great story are a little spoilt with over-reliance on camera tricks but I would go and see this film as it is the perfect anecdote for over-the-top blockbusters and unfunny romantic comedies.