"An exquisite, almost sensual grief suffuses every frame of A Single Man."
-- NPR

"It’s a film of stunning beauty and deep underlying sadness, a self-financed labor of love filled with impossibly gorgeous, oft-unclothed men and dazzling eye candy."
-- The Onion (A.V. Club)

"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. It's subtly heartbreaking."
-- Chicago Tribune

The self-financed directorial debut of American fashion designer Tom Ford, A Single Man is a stylish and wrenching film.

Based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood, which literary critic Edmund White once hailed as "one of the first and best novels of the modern gay liberation movement," A Single Man stars Colin Firth as George Falconer, a Los Angeles literature professor distraught after the death of his long-term partner (Matthew Goode). It is set in the early 1960s, over the course of one fateful day in George's life.

A Single Man has long been a part of the awards season conversation. It is guaranteed both Best Actor (Firth) and Best Supporting Actress (Julianne Moore) nominations and could also find itself nominated for: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score.

With Nine finished and Universal co-production Inglourious Basterds secure, ever-cunning campaigner Harvey Weinstein needs to champion another film and A Single Man is the clearest and most realistic choice. Reviews are stellar and the film could win over both British (both Firth and Moore play British expatriates, plus, to be blunt, it's Colin Firth! Mr Darcy!) and gay Academy members with ease. In fact, it is the only serious LGBT-themed film in the running.

It may be Tom Ford's directorial debut, but he is hardly a new commodity. He is one of the most celebrated living fashion icons, having been the Gucci creative director for a decade. I'm sure he has many friends and customers in the Academy.

I am not suggesting A Single Man will win Best Picture. I simply feel it has a strong and ever-growing shot at a nomation. There are maybe four to five frontrunners, including Avatar and Up in the Air, but there are also a handful of ambiguous slots left to be filled in the Best Picture lineup. Could be Crazy Heart, could be District 9, could be (500) Days of Summer, and/or it could be The Weinstein Company's acting heavyweight A Single Man.

Who's with me?

IN:

soagg
Mr. Reynolds

Trailer:



Original Score Sample:



Tom Ford: From Fashion To Film With 'A Single Man' -- NPR interview

The Screenplay

Well it does not look a lock at this time. Though personally I think so it will make the Top 10.

Count me IN

Oh, I know it's not for certain by any means. It's a... strong hunch, one I hope others share.

Thanks for joining

Well, movies such as INVICTUS and NINE are out, so it's definitely possible. I'm afraid I can't join though. I would love to see it happen, but I'm not convinced yet. Weinstein needs to get behind this one. They were betting on the wrong horse (NINE).

Wow, the score music is fantastic! It sounded good last night when I heard a sample at the Globes, and I've been listening to it this morning and wow, it's great.

After finalizing seeing this, I am definitely in. Hopefully many academy members actually see it.

Out

You were lucky with The Reader, yeah...but not this one, I think.

I don't know. That was Weinstein as well .

An article on the 27-year-old d.p. who shot A Single Man and the film's distinct style, including the use of 5279 35mm (an older Kodak film stock).

it's my #2 movie of the year, and I really really want it to get nominated, but I think those bottom spots are gonna go to some higher profile pictures, unfortunately.

I'm a bit disappointed it only received two BAFTA nominations (Actor and Costume Design)...

Screw it, though, this is an amazing movie, so I'm keeping the hope alive!

It has a much better shot than Star Trek or District 9.

In.

Better than District 9?

This movie almost ended up being screwed. Only one nomination (albeit, yes, a significant one). Strange Moore missed, plus no love for the sumptuous score or period costume and production design.

It probably wasn't seen. Oh well...

It didn't deserve anything outside of the score/visuals/acting. The definition of a "who gives a fuck" type of story.