[Movie review] A Single Man (2009)
I didn't list this as a resolution but I've decided that this year, in addition to using a new system to keep track of the movies I've watched, I'm going to write reviews. Even if it's the most horrendous movie I've stumbled across and totally not worth my time, I'm going to rate it. And if I feel like it, list out how and/or why it sucked.
I'm going to start with A Single Man, I'm reserving my review of The King's Speech for later when the dvd (or leak, whichever comes first) comes out. I'm going to watch the movie again because I really love the movie and will watch it 283746591 times in the cinemas, I don't have the ability to pause and rewind as I please (and there aren't any subtitles for my hearing deficiency).
Anyway, let's get down to business:
Acting: ★★★★★
The acting is a no brainer. Colin Firth getting nomination upon nomination for all the awards last year came as no surprise really. His talent in acting has always been known, though he's only been receiving recognition these past couple of years. Proof to how talented Colin actually is: My best friend caught the scene when George received the phone call from Jim's cousin about his death, and she cried. Thing is, she was watching the whole scene without any sound since I had earphones on (due to my bad hearing). She was astonished by how good he was, making her feel emotional even though she had no idea what the dialogue was or what exactly was happening. I really wanted Colin to win the Oscars last year, but sadly he didn't. I screamed when I found out he won the BAFTA though xD Julianne Moore is of course, unquestionable, though in my opinion her British accent was just slightly overdone (but who am I to say, I'm American). Nicholas Hoult is one of the most amazing young actors out there at the moment (About A Boy, anyone?), and although I can't recall watching anything else Matthew Goode was in (other than Imagine Me & You, but then I don't remember much about that movie), he was great in this movie as well. Both of them had pretty good American accents, so that's also a plus.
Cinematography/directing: ★★★★
If anything, it just proves that fashion ties in strongly with the visual, and my, has this movie really gone above and beyond when it comes to the visuals. From the way the entire movie is desaturated with a gray filter, to bits of color suddenly emerging as someone brightens up George's day, breathtaking doesn't even begin to describe how I felt towards the cinematography. It just goes to show that people who are in fashion really know their stuff. Even in film you can see their aesthetic. IDK, I admire people who are in the fashion industry, because from my point of view, it's a field I will never truly understand. This film is by no means Oscar bait, although it very well could've been, but it's very artsy and has that indy vibe to it. If I recall correctly, I don't think critics like that? Besides, last year every directing award belonged to The Hurt Locker.
Script: ★★★★
This movie doesn't have a whole lot of dialogue. I really liked that because it depended heavily on the actors and their way of portrayal as well as how the whole movie looked. This movie, like I said, focuses heavily on the visuals. The music played a crucial part as well, but dialogue was kept at a minimum. Seeing that this movie centers around grief and the absolute pain of losing the one you love, I love how so much is shown through so little words.
Music: ★★★★
The music helped enhance the visual experience to this movie, so in a way I think they both go hand in hand. The soundtrack isn't exactly something I would listen to on its own because it fits so well with the picture, and without it, it just seems incomplete. The movie could've worked without the music and the overlapping of it with the sound effects, but then I don't think the emotions would've come through as powerful.
Costume design: ★★★
I know that Tom Ford had nothing to do with the costume design, but he probably did give some input. Now Colin Firth is one of those men who look absolutely gorgeous in a suit, so obviously no matter what suits they pick for him, he'll look fantastic in them. I wasn't a huge fan of the other types of costumes though. Kenny's sweater was a bit distracting.
Set design: ★★★★
I'm not entirely familiar with the era in which the movie takes place, but I liked it, so I suppose it means something?
CG (if any): N/A
All in all, the movie was great. The strongest parts for me were the acting and the way it was filmed. Very aesthetically pleasing. It's definitely the perfect movie to use when writing a paper. It's full of metaphors and symbolism and things that would make you think. I'd write about this movie for either film class or for psychology, a combination of both, even.
I'm going to start with A Single Man, I'm reserving my review of The King's Speech for later when the dvd (or leak, whichever comes first) comes out. I'm going to watch the movie again because I really love the movie and will watch it 283746591 times in the cinemas, I don't have the ability to pause and rewind as I please (and there aren't any subtitles for my hearing deficiency).
Anyway, let's get down to business:
Acting: ★★★★★
The acting is a no brainer. Colin Firth getting nomination upon nomination for all the awards last year came as no surprise really. His talent in acting has always been known, though he's only been receiving recognition these past couple of years. Proof to how talented Colin actually is: My best friend caught the scene when George received the phone call from Jim's cousin about his death, and she cried. Thing is, she was watching the whole scene without any sound since I had earphones on (due to my bad hearing). She was astonished by how good he was, making her feel emotional even though she had no idea what the dialogue was or what exactly was happening. I really wanted Colin to win the Oscars last year, but sadly he didn't. I screamed when I found out he won the BAFTA though xD Julianne Moore is of course, unquestionable, though in my opinion her British accent was just slightly overdone (but who am I to say, I'm American). Nicholas Hoult is one of the most amazing young actors out there at the moment (About A Boy, anyone?), and although I can't recall watching anything else Matthew Goode was in (other than Imagine Me & You, but then I don't remember much about that movie), he was great in this movie as well. Both of them had pretty good American accents, so that's also a plus.
Cinematography/directing: ★★★★
If anything, it just proves that fashion ties in strongly with the visual, and my, has this movie really gone above and beyond when it comes to the visuals. From the way the entire movie is desaturated with a gray filter, to bits of color suddenly emerging as someone brightens up George's day, breathtaking doesn't even begin to describe how I felt towards the cinematography. It just goes to show that people who are in fashion really know their stuff. Even in film you can see their aesthetic. IDK, I admire people who are in the fashion industry, because from my point of view, it's a field I will never truly understand. This film is by no means Oscar bait, although it very well could've been, but it's very artsy and has that indy vibe to it. If I recall correctly, I don't think critics like that? Besides, last year every directing award belonged to The Hurt Locker.
Script: ★★★★
This movie doesn't have a whole lot of dialogue. I really liked that because it depended heavily on the actors and their way of portrayal as well as how the whole movie looked. This movie, like I said, focuses heavily on the visuals. The music played a crucial part as well, but dialogue was kept at a minimum. Seeing that this movie centers around grief and the absolute pain of losing the one you love, I love how so much is shown through so little words.
Music: ★★★★
The music helped enhance the visual experience to this movie, so in a way I think they both go hand in hand. The soundtrack isn't exactly something I would listen to on its own because it fits so well with the picture, and without it, it just seems incomplete. The movie could've worked without the music and the overlapping of it with the sound effects, but then I don't think the emotions would've come through as powerful.
Costume design: ★★★
I know that Tom Ford had nothing to do with the costume design, but he probably did give some input. Now Colin Firth is one of those men who look absolutely gorgeous in a suit, so obviously no matter what suits they pick for him, he'll look fantastic in them. I wasn't a huge fan of the other types of costumes though. Kenny's sweater was a bit distracting.
Set design: ★★★★
I'm not entirely familiar with the era in which the movie takes place, but I liked it, so I suppose it means something?
CG (if any): N/A
All in all, the movie was great. The strongest parts for me were the acting and the way it was filmed. Very aesthetically pleasing. It's definitely the perfect movie to use when writing a paper. It's full of metaphors and symbolism and things that would make you think. I'd write about this movie for either film class or for psychology, a combination of both, even.