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Two Lovers
User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 24
  3. Negative: 2 out of 24

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  1. BecquerM
    Feb 20, 2009
    7
    I could not help but become engrossed in James Gray’s “Two Lovers,” an official selection at Cannes last year that has just been released in New York and Los Angeles. Dark, realistic and fluid, the meaty subject of relationships (and, obviously, its scion subject of triangular relationships) anchors this movie, which follows the life of Leonard (Joaquin Phoenix) two years after a break-up with his former fiancé. Leonard creeps, albeit slowly, back into normal life after letting his psychological trauma materialize in several failed suicide attempts. In a matter of several days, he meets both Sandra (Vanessa Shaw), the daughter of some family friends, and Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow), a new next-door neighbor with triangular relationship problems of her own. Thus, a triangle of its own begins. Leonard weaves smoothly, yet uncontrollably, between the two women – not ‘uncontrollably’ in the reckless sense, but in the sense that he has no control over the forces that make him oscillate between the women. Though Phoenix’s and Paltrow’s characters have their flaws and can come off as flat and, at times, annoying, the subtlety of the film is what truly carries it out of that awfully clichéd pseudo-genre commonly known as ‘romantic comedy.’ It is by no means comical; it is nearly comedy’s antithesis. Isabella Rossellini does exceptionally as Ruth, Leonard’s mother. She embodies most of the quintessential characteristics of a Jewish grandmother: calm, gentle, perceptive and superbly compassionate (especially of her son). Do not expect a classic, for this movie will only fulfill you halfway. Rather, expect an honest and subtle whirlwind of amorous exchanges (physically, verbally and silently) that does not pretend to be much more than what it is.… Expand
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  2. EdwardK
    Mar 13, 2009
    3
    Good performances could not save what Siskel and Ebert used to call "the idiot plot": If one of the main characters ever failed to act like an idiot, there would be no plot. I found it depressing to watch the three main characters make one bad decision after another.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. MasterO
    May 4, 2009
    10
    Gorgeous and affecting movie. The only reason I could knock it is because it's tough to believe that two women would fall all over themselves for a thirty-something dry-cleaning heir who lives with his parents-- but I guess that is one of those "he's Juaquin Phoenix, he's hot enough to make it happen" moments. Great movie.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. RachelL
    Feb 16, 2009
    9
    This movie is clearly a character piece [sorry action fans], but the soft melancholy hits your soul with a dramatic punch. It is effortless to become ensnared by this realistic love story as Phoenix's performance is so painstakingly fantastic - also a strong supporting cast, particularly Isabella Rossellini.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. RudyM.
    Feb 19, 2009
    10
    Simply wonderful, the best movie of the decade since Lost In Translation.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. KP
    Sep 24, 2009
    5
    This movie was ok at best. Phoenix was solid as always. But I think it was the worst I've seen from Paltrow in a long while. I just found her character totally unbelievable...not sure if it was her acting or the writing. maybe both. I just didn't buy it. Even though the film did it's best to put a new spin on the "love triangle" theme, it still felt cliche to me.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. avatar16
    May 25, 2012
    8
    Avec Two Lovers, James Gray étonne. Déjà par le fait qu'il s'attaque à une banale histoire d'amour après trois films où règnent la violence (Little Odessa, The Yards, La nuit nous appartient). Et puis, Two Lovers n'est pas un film romantique comme les autres. Il est même bien loin de la surdose de bons sentiments, de chansons et de belles couleurs typiques de Hollywood. En effet, ici, tout semble noir et cruel (magnifiques jeux de lumières qui offrent une certaine ambiance), accentuant ainsi des détails méconnus à ce genre (tentative de suicide, fausse couche...). On ressent le mal qu'éprouvent les personnages à aimer. D'ailleurs, il faut féliciter leur performance à chacun, dévoilant leurs émotions avec tant de finesse et de crédibilité. Un grand bravo à Joaquin Phoenix, bluffant, et Gwyneth Paltrow, dans un de ses meilleurs rôles. On pourrait regretter que le final s'en arrête là (pas de spoile !). Mais on ne peut rester indifférent face à la puissance qui se dégage de Two Lovers.… Expand
  8. bcool
    Feb 21, 2012
    9
    One of the most beautiful love dramas in the recent years with great performances of an actors playing grown up but emotionally immature characters.some people are dismissing this film by saying that these characters act like teenagers but that's exactly what makes this film stand out,cause people like this do exist.
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Ray Bennett
    80
    Phoenix plays the romantic lead with great intelligence and enormous charm, making his character's conflict utterly believable, and Paltrow positively glows as the radiant shiksa who dazzles him.
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  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    70
    This very New York tale is old-fashioned in good ways that have to do with solid storytelling, craftsmanship and emotional acuity.
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  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    80
    Although Paltrow is radiant (and she nails the character's ditzy sense of entitlement), it's Phoenix's movie. He is, once again, stupendous, and stupendous in a way he has never been before.
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