A Single Man

Adapted for the big screen by Fashion guru Tom Ford from the bleak but influential 1964 novel by Christopher Isherwood, it tells of the emotional plight and day in the life of a distinguished but sullen English professor residing in Los Angeles in the early ‘60s.
George Falconer (Firth) is in deep despair over the tragic death of his long-time lover Jim (Matthew Goode) and finds fronting up for work increasingly tiresome and futile.

Firth, no stranger to playing an introspecting grieving lover (the sublime Genova) or a repressed homosexual (the frivolous Mamma Mia,) is terrific as the dignified but sorrowful title character struggling to keep things together.

And while Firth dominates proceedings, appearing in every frame, he is nearly upstaged by debutant director’s Ford’s stunning cinematography, art direction and attention to detail.Despite these impressive elements mainstream audiences may find the pedestrian pacing, subtle narrative and sensitively portrayed but frank exploration of gay culture not to their liking.

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