A Single Man

First and foremost, a movie that has excellent use of subtitles - readable, left on long enough and good contrast.  That off my chest, on to the actual movie.  If I were teaching a class on symbolism in film, I would consider this movie which is almost overly rich in clocks, tickings, eyes seeing, eyes to look at, tides rolling in and moving out, and more.

The movie traces Colin Firth as he prepares to die at his own hand after the death of his partner of 16 years.  His partner, Jim, dies in Colorado and Jim’s parents do not respect his life choice of a life mate.  Sort of timely what with Attorney General Cucchinelli’s recent ruling on homosexuals’ rights in Virginia Universities, Jack finds he cannot attend Jim’s funeral.  As he prepares to commit suicide, he meets with many people who sense there is something wrong and that there is about to be something bad happening.  The story is told in a dizzying array of flashbacks and camera angles.

Timely, timeless and a timepiece, the clocks tick and the hands move and the tides and waves roll in and roll out.  Birth and death and rebirth and death, the film is a study in what a director can do with a simple subject, a simple man, and a surprise ending that is totally fitting.  If homosexuality is not your thing, you might want to pass this one by, but if you want to see a good portrayal of the human condition, of a man with feels deeply and lives an existential life, a portrayal that, if it were heterosexual would be “a great love story,” take a look.  The themes are universal and the acting, the actors and storyline are very good indeed.