A Single Man

I couldn’t believe Tom Ford is American, because he nailed the dry, precise, aristocratically detached British style of this film almost to perfection. That, together with the breathtaking formal style (beautiful production design, filters) and the excellent Colin Firth form the backbone of this lonely, bitter drama about a man who could have had it all, but instead only confusedly searched for himself. Outwardly aware and detached, inwardly torn to shreds, a role tailor-made for Firth. It's hard to criticize and look for flaws, maybe only a lot of long passages and not all of them are entertaining, the vague gay parallel that didn't even need to be there so vehemently, the reproachful Julianne Moore. But anything where the lead is alone is great. Amazing music. (20/09/2016)

That movie has a lot of elements that I shouldn't like, but I can't help it - I watched every detailed shot with delight. Yes, at first glance, it seems like the form is the main focus, the camera work with its penchant for close-ups and filters, but there's also content here that fits perfectly with the era. The main ace, however, is the performances, especially those of Colin Firth and Julianne Moore, who I keep liking more and more. (08/04/2015)

The sentiment of Falconer's memories and the sudden flare-up on the threshold of complete and devastating solitude is bearable, even suggestive within the limits of possibilities. Ford's picture needs less fashion design and more poetics. Paradoxically, for all the visual arrangement and modification, Ford somewhat misses in front of the camera what Firth's hero has to give – impulsiveness, perspective, and unpretentious tragedy. It's as if a real person is dealing with an ironed mannequin, and the power of the story has meanwhile faded into rigidity. (11/07/2010)

A truly emotional affair, wrapped in a veil of poignancy and reflection, backed by an incredible performance by Colin Firth, who is wonderfully seconded by Julianne Moore. The play with colours underlines the overall visual excellence, which is set off by the well placed cinematography. Add to that the amazing music (I'm still humming “Clock Tick”), which helps to draw the viewer more into the story. It's perhaps another case of cliché – a reflection on life and death – but with a good cast and director. The ending really got me. Unexpected and intense! (01/07/2010)

My tolerance for the aesthetics of the sixties has a limit, and once again it has been severely compromised. What does it matter that Firth is perfection itself and Julianne can convincingly blend in with all eras of history...? The sensual images of the former fashion designer oscillating between pop art canvases and the suffocating sexual frustration of the generation of the time may have something to them, but in this case, less could be more. (09/04/2011)