Tom Ford’s debut film A Single Man (not to be confused with the Coen brothers’ A Serious Man released around the same time) is truly a stunning piece of work and totally worth a second viewing on DVD. The art direction and costume design is nothing short of inspired, and is really no surprise given the fashion background of Ford.
Co-written and directed by Tom Ford the film tells the story of George (brilliantly played by Colin Firth) who has recently lost his partner of 16 years. The film is so incredibly honest and authentic and Firth’s performance is so genuine, that you instantly route for George. You want him to rediscover a way to be happy. You want him to overcome his grief. You want him to find love. You want him to live.
The depth of Firth’s performance is so powerful, it is a damn shame he lost the best actor award to Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart. Firth relays an array of emotions in a matter of seconds, reeling you in to his deepest pain. Told through just the right amount of flashbacks, George’s story becomes something beyond losing a lover. It’s beyond gay or straight. It’s about survival and believing in the possibility that after a tragic event your heart can recover and you can dare to try to be happy. Damn…that’s deep.
I can’t wait to see what Tom Ford does next!