A Single Man

Name: A Single Man
Genre: Drama
Released: December 11, 2009
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 77
Cast: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode

2009

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 233 Ratings

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8.2

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8.2	User Score Universal acclaim based on 233 Ratings

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A Single Man

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Movie Details & Credits

Weinstein Company, The | Release Date: December 11, 2009 | R

Starring: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode

Summary: Set in Los Angeles in 1962, at the height of the Cuban missile crisis, A Single Man, is the story of George Falconer, a 52 year old British college professor who is struggling to find meaning to his life after the death of his long time partner, Jim. George dwells on the past and cannot see his future as we follow him through a single day,Set in Los Angeles in 1962, at the height of the Cuban missile crisis, A Single Man, is the story of George Falconer, a 52 year old British college professor who is struggling to find meaning to his life after the death of his long time partner, Jim. George dwells on the past and cannot see his future as we follow him through a single day, where a series of events and encounters, ultimately leads him to decide if there is a meaning to life after Jim. George is consoled by his closest friend Charley, a 48 year old beauty who is wrestling with her own questions about the future. A young student of George’s, Kenny, who is coming to terms with his true nature, stalks George as he feels in him a kindred spirit. (The Weinstein Company)… Expand

Director: Tom Ford

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 99 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Michael Phillips

Some films aren't revelations, exactly, but they burrow so deeply into old truths about love and loss and the mess and thrill of life, they seem new anyway. A Single Man is one such film, one of the best of 2009 Read full review

Richard Corliss

Tom Ford -- the Texas-born fashion designer who for a decade was the creative director at Gucci -- financed this first feature himself. The producer couldn't have hired a smarter director. Read full review

Marc Savlov

Everything fits perfectly, from titles to fin, but most of all Firth, who dons the role of George like a fine bespoke suit. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

It relies on a singularly brilliant performance by Colin Firth to make it one of the year's more satisfying films. Read full review

Rick Groen

Then again, Colin Firth is enough. Every movie is a performance, but very seldom is a performance a movie. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

How fitting that Firth should carry A Single Man, a movie of quiet but potent emotional power, perfectly suited to his singular gifts. Read full review

Keith Uhlich

Christopher Isherwood’s seminal queer novel deserves a film adaptation that captures both its sense of place and its activist spirit. Cowriter-director Tom Ford settles for the glossy ephemera of a Vanity Fair cover spread. Read full review

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User Reviews

GaleG.

Dec 30, 2009

All Colin Firth all the time. And, of course, he's perfect. Beautiful movie about living through a paralyzingly ugly part of life: loss.

5 of 5 users found this helpful

AstridI

Feb 25, 2010

Unforgettable. Colin Firth was magnificent.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

EthanPeter

Oct 20, 2010

This is the best picture of 2009. Achingly sad and wonderfully acted. The cinematography is astonishingly romantic, full of life and death and everything in between.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

OttoD.

Dec 26, 2009

This film like any film has its downfalls (most of which are minor and fail to take away from the beauty of the piece), yet the expert cinematography and well written script capture the essence and emotion that is of Prof. Falconer as he goes through what he hopes will be his last day on This film like any film has its downfalls (most of which are minor and fail to take away from the beauty of the piece), yet the expert cinematography and well written script capture the essence and emotion that is of Prof. Falconer as he goes through what he hopes will be his last day on earth. Tom Ford does an amazing job in his directorial debut, and it would certainly appear that this fantastic film will receive plenty of accolades during the award season. Please go see this.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

txrangersfan72

Sep 17, 2011

It's funny as children, at least in my case, when we think adults have it completely together. That don't have to deal with the day-to-day uncertainty and learning we do. That they know it all. A Single Man is a misnomer. Not knowing the story line, I felt as though the movie wasIt's funny as children, at least in my case, when we think adults have it completely together. That don't have to deal with the day-to-day uncertainty and learning we do. That they know it all. A Single Man is a misnomer. Not knowing the story line, I felt as though the movie was literally about a single man. And, yes, while he IS a single man, the reality is, this movie is rooted at perspective. More precisely, the differences in perspective. Male vs. female. Old vs. young. Teacher vs. student. Happy vs. sad. Such a very human film, A Single Man is a rivetingly written and acted portrayal of a love unexpectedly lost. In all its flaws and sadness, a man struggles with the sudden loss of his true love, feeling like he's supposed to move on, to live and tries very hard over a year to do so. Yet, he realizes time doesn't heal him and the clarity he finally comes to is that death is much better than the life he's made to live without his love. He attempts to take his life and just can't seem to do it, no matter how much he may want to. In the end, life takes him, just as a part of him is shown a slice of being able to move forward. Colin Firth's performance is even better than his Oscar-winning role in the King's Speech, proving he is one of the most underrated talents in film. The key to this film though is the story and flawless direction. This one is not to be missed.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DirigiblePulp

Jan 5, 2017

Beautiful and tragic. The cinematography, acting, music and rhythm all help convey this regardless of the loose plot. The ending too much so for my taste.

Wasn't sure how to feel about all the saturation changes in the picture. They're too obvious in what they stand for, but are mostlyBeautiful and tragic. The cinematography, acting, music and rhythm all help convey this regardless of the loose plot. The ending too much so for my taste.

Wasn't sure how to feel about all the saturation changes in the picture. They're too obvious in what they stand for, but are mostly applied with subtlety and elegance. I think it worked.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RizzoP.

Dec 13, 2009

I think this may be one of the worst made movies i have ever seen. It is so oblique it's laughable. please please spare yourself the pain and suffering of seeing this horrible over wrought piece of self important nonsense. spare yourself!!!

0 of 2 users found this helpful

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55	#55 Best Movie of 2009
81	#81 Most Discussed Movie of 2009
82	#82 Most Shared Movie of 2009