Set in 1962 Los Angeles, Tom Ford's film 'A Single Man' covers the anguish and loss felt by George Falconer, played by Colin Firth, when his long time partner Jim (Matthew Goode) is killed in a car accident on an icy road. There is much in the pathos as well as the moments of humour in this screen adaptation of Christopher Isherwood's novel.
There are times when Firth appears to have no more depth or substance than his character Bridget Jone's Diary or, indeed, the sequel. However, his attempts to lock himself away and subsequently to attempt suicide are masterly. Here is a veneer of comedy not quite masking George's desire to ensure his departure is documented and orderly. This is not slapstick, but the actions of a man finally feeling there is no place to go and nobody who can help him.
Firth is ably supported by the talented Julianne Moore as his neighbour Charley and long time love - a 48 year old beauty wrestling with her own questions about the future – and Nicolas Hoult who plays Kenney one of George's students.
It'll be interesting to guage the reaction to this film in the UK. According to a Rumanian journalist I talked with, this film is very important to the gay community in that country. Ford, however, points out that this film transcends sexuality: “This is a love story about one man's search of meaning in his life. The theme is universal.”
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