Weekend Movie Forecast: Invictus Vs. The Lovely Bones

Fashion designer turned director Tom Ford helms his first movie, adapted from the 1964 novel by Christopher Isherwood. Taking place during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis, A Single Man follows a day-in-the-life of the suicidal George Falconer (Colin Firth), a 52-year-old British college professor who is struggling after the death of his long time partner, Jim (Matthew Goode). During the day he teaches, spends time with a close female friend (Julianne Moore), and is pursued by a young male student (Nicholas Hoult). J Hoberman at the Village Voice was unmoved by the stylization in the film, saying "No more than 10 minutes in, the movie already has the feel of an exquisitely preserved corpse laid out for viewing," but Owen Gleibermann of Entertainment Weekly praises Firth's portrayal: "Firth plays him as a man of his time who is also mournfully ahead of his time. He's addicted to his own broken heart. A Single Man may break yours as well." — Gothamist

Ben Yakas

Published Dec 11, 2009

Modified Dec 11, 2009

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Click on the film stills for more details on reviews on this week's new releases and repertory screenings, which also include Invictus; The Lovely Bones; A Single Man; Slammin' Salmon; My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?;Yesterday was a Lie; Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year; Black Christmas; You Can't Take It With You; and Don't Look Back.