A SINGLE MAN***1/2

Note to self: Don’t watch a movie that has undertones of your own reality. However, maybe having the opportunity to watch a film that connects on some level with your own life makes the viewing experience that much more memorable.

A Single Man is a movie about a man who is grieving the death of his boyfriend of 16 years. Set in 1962 in Los Angeles, George Falconer (Colin Firth) takes us through the day where he is preparing for his own suicide. Let me just make note that I did not lose a boyfriend to death or ever contemplated my own suicide, however having any form of loss in your life and being homosexual, you can’t help but connect with George on many levels.

George lives a pretty much perfect life from the outside. Beautiful home, secure job and has a close friendship with the obnoxious Charley (Julianne Moore). George plans his day accordingly and goes through the motions of someone making sure everything is in place so that after his death everyone he leaves behind(which doesn’t seem like many) understand that life will go on as planned once the dust settles.

As a professor George is admired by a young student Kenny (Nicholas Hoult) who for most of the movie stalks George in an attempt to connect with someone who may understand the struggles of living a closeted life as a gay adolescent. The friendship that unfolds and the encounter George has with a Spanish prostitute (Jon Kortajarena) pave the way for a ending I won’t reveal here.

Every year we are introduced to a movie that touches us in a way that’s different from most mainstream films. Last year we had Oscar nominated films The Visitor and Frozen River, this year it is A Single Man. Colin Firth gives a career moving performance that is truly sentimental and extraordinarily touching. His simple demeanor he portrays throughout the films connects you to the grieving of a man who just is trying to find meaning after what we all can imagine would be truly painful.

Julianne Moore shines yet again playing a woman from the 1960’s. Unlike her roles in Far From Heaven and The Hours, Moore takes a more alcohol infested ride of makeup and hairspray to reveal a women also looking for answers and love. Nicholas Hoult also deserves mention for playing Kenny with unquestionable desire to also want affection.

A Single Man isn’t a best picture contender; however with the recent addition of five more movies it could easily take the last spot. This movie though shines on the acting alone, like most indie movies do. Firth is a shoe-in for a best actor nomination and Moore for supporting actress.

The point of A Single Man is to let everyone know it’s ok to grieve and in some cases it may take longer than expected. We can’t assume that everyone moves on at the same speed to recovery, but it puts in perspective that everyone around you is dealing with their own inner pain, we all just cover it up in the best way possible.