Mini Review - 'A Single Man'

Loosing someone is one of the hardest things to go through. It is especially hard if it is a partner because you and that person only know your connection. It is a singular connection (unless children are involved) and when that is broken, you are in for a whole heap of pain.

For George (Colin Firth), when his partner of 16 years dies, he is left along with his grief. His family is overseas, and his one friend Charlie (a wonderfully sloshed Julianne Moore) has held a torch for him ever since they went out as teenagers in London.
They are much older now and in L.A.. Without his beloved Jim, George is truly alone with his grief, and it is overwhelming him. Small objects and smell spark memories that only fuel his agony. He is at the point of suicide and we spend a day with him as he makes his preparations.

Tom Ford directs with such sensitivity and style that you wonder just how personal this adaptation of Christopher Isherwoods' novel is to him.
The slow flashes of saturation as George interacts with people and begins are a wonderful visual touch to represent him feeling slightly alive again, before memory plunges him back into his grey despair.

The entire cast is wonderful. Julianne Moore is fun as Charlie, even if her accent is regionally all over the place. Nicolas Hoult and Matthew Goode are effective and beautiful to look at while Jon Kortajarena is drop dead stunning.

However the film belongs to Colin Firth in what is a perfect study of repressed grief, and the guilt of lust. He is note perfect, in one of the most beautiful films of the year.

Grade - A-

Loosing someone is one of the hardest things to go through. It is especially hard if it is a partner because you and that person only know your connection. It is a singular connection (unless children are involved) and when that is broken, you are in for a whole heap of pain.

For George (Colin Firth), when his partner of 16 years dies, he is left along with his grief. His family is overseas, and his one friend Charlie (a wonderfully sloshed Julianne Moore) has held a torch for him ever since they went out as teenagers in London.
They are much older now and in L.A.. Without his beloved Jim, George is truly alone with his grief, and it is overwhelming him. Small objects and smell spark memories that only fuel his agony. He is at the point of suicide and we spend a day with him as he makes his preparations.

Tom Ford directs with such sensitivity and style that you wonder just how personal this adaptation of Christopher Isherwoods' novel is to him.
The slow flashes of saturation as George interacts with people and begins are a wonderful visual touch to represent him feeling slightly alive again, before memory plunges him back into his grey despair.

The entire cast is wonderful. Julianne Moore is fun as Charlie, even if her accent is regionally all over the place. Nicolas Hoult and Matthew Goode are effective and beautiful to look at while Jon Kortajarena is drop dead stunning.

However the film belongs to Colin Firth in what is a perfect study of repressed grief, and the guilt of lust. He is note perfect, in one of the most beautiful films of the year.

Grade - A-

BAFTAS

A few thoughts on last nights BAFTA awards.

Jonathan Ross was EMBARRASSINGLY bad as host. Not funny, not witty and not clever. The horrid silence after each joke was almost enough to make me turn off. I seriously sat there with my fingers in my ears going "LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA" until I saw him leave the stage.

Sad Mo'Nique was a no show, but the lady is a busy bee with her talk show so I understand.

Saoirse Ronan is bloody stunning - she is growing up to be a real looker.
On the same note Kate Winslet looked fantastic. I guess finally winning the Oscar has helped her loosen up on the red carpet. All flowy and natural looking.

Again Jonathan Ross was horrendous - I mean, I swear I could hear the rain outside after his jokes, it was that quiet.

I am feeling really sorry for Gabourey Sidibe. I would hate having to go to all these award ceremonies and constantly hear other peoples names being called out, when you are arguably just as good, if not better than those names being called - frustrating. They really need to change the award name to 'Favourite Actress' and cut the 'Best Performance by an......" bull shit. Call it what it is.

Vanessa Redgrave overflows with grace and humour. I want to go to a tea party with her and Uma.

Carey Mulligan was a lovely winner, and she looked the best she ever have on the awards circuit.
The hair was lovely, the make up perfect, and the dress was just jaw droppingly lovely - one of the few times this awards season where I was taken aback.
I love a girl who can pull off pattern.

It was very nice to see someone else win something, just a shame it wasn't Gabby, but knowing those two are friends makes me fell pretty sure that Carey let Gabby hold it.

I really want Colin Firth to win the Oscar.

Most presenters and winners were 10 times as funny as the host. The Foreign language winner was a pure highlight.

I like Kristen Stewart, even thought she looks like she needs a good wash. She seemed genuinely embarrassed to have won the Rising Star award, considering her fellow nominees were much more deserving. She knew it, we knew it, the room knew it. Too bad the Academy opened that award up to public voting. It ensured 20 million 'Twilight' fans bombarded the voting system.
I voted for Tahar Rahim and the boyfriend voted for Carey Mulligan.

'The Hurt Locker' was an excellent film, but really this is overkill. All those awards. I agree with Director and to an extent Picture, but the rest of those awards are silly. It was like the BAFTAs were purposely being anti Avatar, and in doing so took away some awards from other nominees (I refuse to believe 'The Hurt Locker' was a better achievement in screen writing than 'Inglourious Basterds' was.

'District 9' went home empty handed. Boo. As mush as I loved 'Avatar' what 'D9' in terms of budget available was jaw dropping. A shame budget never comes into it.

Jonathan Ross was terrible.

Full list of winners here:

Best Picture – The Hurt Locker
Best Actress – Carey Mulligan, An Education
Best Actor – Colin Firth, A Single Man
Best Director -Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker
Film not in the English Language – Un Prophete
Animated Film – Up
Adapted Screenplay – Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner for Up In The Air
Orange Rising Star Award – Kristen Stewart
Production Design: Rick Carter, Robert Stromberg & Kim Sinclair for Avatar
Original Screenplay: Mark Boal for The Hurt Locker
Outstanding British Film: Fish Tank
Supporting Actress: Mo’nique, Precious (Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire)
Makeup and Hair: Jenny Shircore for The Young Victoria
Costume Design: Sandy Powell for The Young Victoria
Supporting Actor – Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
Visual Effects – Avatar
Cinematography – Barry Ackroyd for The Hurt Locker
Editing – The Hurt Locker
Sound – The Hurt Locker
Music – Michael Giacchino for Up
Outstanding British Debut: Duncan Jones for Moon
Short Film – I Do Air
Short Animation – Mother Of Many

Just Lovely

I love these pics. Colin and Julianne are captured brilliantly. Gabby just looks so cool, Saoirse is growing up to be such a beauty, Woody looks so damn hot, and Sandra looks, well (frizzeaze honey). And as for Daniel and Penelope - I am confused - I do not know which one I want to be.








View the entire set here

Here is the vid, where they talk about the best performances of the decade. Love Sandra for doing this with her fright do. She looks like a bewitched barley stick.