Colin Firth has received a great deal of acclaim for his role as George, a gay professor of English in California in 1962. After winning the Best Actor award in Venice, 2009, he was nominated for many awards, including the Oscar. It has confirmed Firth as a strong and versatile actor.
A Single Man is based (with some variations) on Christopher Isherwood's novel. It takes place over one day in 1962 with news of the missile crisis and Cuba in the background.
However, it is a sad day for George. Jim, his partner of 16 years is dead. George goes through the routines of his professorial day, lecturing on Aldous Huxley to uninterested students, except for the precocious Kenny (Nicholas Hoult) who stalks George and who, later that night, offers him something of a new life.
George, however, has felt suicidal and remembers his time with Jim (Matthew Goode). There are some flashbacks to their meeting in 1946 as well as some scenes of their life together.
He is also in touch with his old London friend, Charlie (Julianne Moore), has a meal with her and gossips and reminisces. (American Moore plays an Englishwoman while Matthew Goode and Nicholas Hoult are British actors playing American.)
Obviously, this is not a film of action. Rather, it is a film of characters and of reflection. - Peter Malone, Australian Catholic Office for Film & Broadcasting.
Starring Colin Firth, Nicholas Hoult, Matthew Goode, Julianne Moore. Directed by Tom Ford.
Rated M (mature themes). 100 mins.