Two Lovers

Two Lovers

I just finished watching this film and had thought to myself: "Wow, that ending really p!ssed me off." And here's why: Leonard (Joaquin Phoenix's character) is only staying with the girl because Gwyneth Paltrow's character doesn't want to be with him. It's unfair for something like that to happen to such a likable character. This film, Two Lovers, is one of the better reviewed films out there this year, but I honestly think it would've been a lot better if it focused more on one romance instead of both because I never fully understood why they were in love with one another in the first place. Still, this film is better than most that have come out so far. This is pretty much all I have to say about Two Lovers - it was decent, but nothing special.

The plot line of this film describes a very pedestrian romantic situation. Anybody with a love life has probably gone through something similar to what we see here - you're with someone you're not crazy about, you try to start something up with someone else, it fails, and you simply stay with the person you're with. The fine acting saves this movie, especially Phoenix who creates an interesting and sympathetic character, but your own love life probably contains more varied and entertaining drama than this movie does. The fact that I had to check the 'contains spoiler' box for what little I've written here should tell you something about what this movie has to offer.

Joaquin Phoenix would be well advised to quit acting, as he has vowed to do after this film, if this is the effort he is going to put into his roles. His refusal to enunciate comes across as lack of passion and engagement rather than ease and command of the role. Admittedly, he is working with thin and mediocre material in this script . . . underdeveloped characters with little or no context and less motivation. After squirming for most of the film at the unpleasantness of the lead character, we manage to muster some degree of sympathy for him at the end . . . but it's closer to relief, since the sense of identification we get is largely negative. The character's present and future family deserve better and so does the audience. Seeing how low we can set our expectations in life and art is an artificial exercise in minimalism.

Even hated Paltrow is vulnerable as shiksa manipulator. Joaquin Phoenix's declaration of love scene is the deepest Phoenix has ever gone and Paltrow gets off her perch for this kiss. Phoenix has emotional depth with intelligence. Vinessa Shaw the chosen bride is Paltrow's foil. Isabella Rosalini is Phoenix's mother who is worried about him. This is a great performance by Phoenix. Unforgettable.

You are fully engaged in what is happening in the movie; such beautiful acting and the elements of the story touches me.

Phoney!? you say ...why people fawn over this is beyond me, next time you see a broke guy with a hair lip and a laundry in the mix being shagged and yearned for by two gorgeous women, give me a yell.

I chose this movie because of its rating and good reviews. However, in the end I had to skip through it as it was so tortuous. Difficult to watch and difficult to understand why Jaochim is doing what he is doing. It wasn't funny and I don't feel it had the deep meaning that other reviews have alluded to. It could have been a lovely film - great acting but just a terrible story line. Apart from being lost, I cannot really understand the central character's behaviour. User reviews saying this is the film of the year or a deep artistic experience are just way of the mark for me.

Oh how I wish this film were as universally loved as it should be. Easily the best work of Joaquin Phoenix or Gwenyth Paltrow's career to date, this film is simply fantastic. The restaurant scene using Henry Mancini's Lujon as background music, is one of my favorite film scenes of all time. So many layers in a 3 person conversation...simply brilliant. The small things, the subtle nuance of Leonard ordering a Brandy Alexander, then being asked if he'd like a real straw, or Blatt asking Leonard about a pizza shop he recalls from the area where Leonard lives...perfect! If you've never seen it..Give it a try! You just may find yourself transfixed!!

That movies shows how much of a great actor he is and what he is capable of as an actor, james gray my goddd! Wow what a movie what a drama and what a heartbreaker.