Iffy for 17+
Mature drama about loss is visually striking but hollow.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the subject matter of this 1960s-set indie drama -- which centers on a man who's deeply mourning the loss of his longtime boyfriend and is desperate to find a reason to go on -- may be too heavy/morbid for younger teens (and even some older ones). The idea of suicide is explored, and the main character's world feels incredibly bleak at times, though he does manage to find moments of joy. Expect a fair amount of male nudity (though no frontal shots), plus some smoking, drinking, and swearing ("s--t").
- Families can talk about how the movie portrays loss. What would it be like to be in George's shoes? Have you ever lost a loved one? Do George's feelings and reactions seem realistic?
- How do society's norms during the time the movie takes place affect George's sense of isolation? How have (or haven't) things changed since then?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie deals with the impact of the loss of a loved one; it's a hard topic, but it's explored in an honest way. Friendship appears to be a lifeline, but only just.
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Role models: George is a once-lively man who has lost his will to live following the death of his longtime companion. But even in his darkest hours, he’s compassionate and able to find moments of joy, if only fleetingly.
What to watch for
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Violence: A man buys bullets for a gun. He practices different ways he could shoot himself. A man dies in a car accident; his body is shown on the ground, bloodied.
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Sex: Lots of instances in which men are shown nude (though not from the front), frolicking in the ocean or floating underwater. Two men kiss. Discussion between a man and a woman about their previous coupling.
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Language: A few instances of swearing (“s--t”).
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Consumerism: Some labels shown, including Bayer, Coca-Cola, Hershey’s.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some period-accurate smoking. Characters are also shown drinking, some to inebriation.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Artistically told by Usha L Paradise
While it started off a bit slow, it definitely picks up. One day in the life of this single man - and life keeps messing up his plans. But as he quotes in the movie, "Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him." Solid performances by Colin Firth, Matthew Goode and Julianne Moore - but would have expected no less from them. (By the way, see Goode in "Imagine Me & You" - fantastic!) The stud from Madrid was indeed "smoking hot" - looking forward to seeing him in future films. I cannot end before commenting on the use of color in this film - absolutely perfect! And the audience followed where the director wanted us to go ... taking the cues from the coloration to see the world through his eyes. Really well done.
5
Visually beautiful, emotionally devastating! by klv12
Colin Firth will make you forever forget him as Mr. Darcy; this is the role of his career. The emotional restraint he employs in portraying the title character makes this movie a journey of discovery; Tom Ford's choices work wonderfully for this story; what isn't shown on the character's faces is revealed through color and light in a novel way that never becomes gimmicky.
3
Five Word Review by Lucien27
HIGH STYLE SO SO SUBSTANCE
4
A pretty Mess by iscorpio
I have mixed feelings for this film. Part of the way thru I wondered what all the fuss was about, and I got it, but still its like the gay Precious. It was pretty and well acted but no best picture. For Tom Ford's first, its good but trying to be too artistic and really only succeeding at looking and sounding good. I saw see it for the cute guys but don't expect too much of those or much more than a made for TV movie that's really good.
5
A Must See by colbylehman
A Beautiful Movie. VERY WELL DONE TOM FORD!!