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Two Lovers Review

Release Date: Feb 13, 2009
Rated: language, some sexuality and brief drug use
Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min.
Genres: Art House/Foreign, Drama, Romance
Director:James Gray
Cast:Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Isabella Rossellini, Elias Koteas. Full cast + crew

Movies.com Critics

2.0

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He hates himself. Chicks love this. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

4.0

74

out of 100

Metascore^®
Generally favorable reviews
based on a weighted average of all
critic review scores.
70

out of 100

The New York Times A.O. Scott
The flaws in Two Lovers are inseparable from its strengths. You could, I suppose, criticize the movie for being too sincere; too generous to its imperfect, self-deluded characters; too absorbed in their small crises and disproportionate reactions. But that criticism might sound a lot like praise.

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70

out of 100

Variety Todd McCarthy
This very New York tale is old-fashioned in good ways that have to do with solid storytelling, craftsmanship and emotional acuity.

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75

out of 100

USA Today Claudia Puig
Joaquin Phoenix gives a superbly raw and excruciatingly vulnerable performance.

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80

out of 100

Los Angeles Times
Themes of loneliness, alienation and unrequited love are not new, but there is always that sense of the unexpected in Phoenix that keeps you curious.

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80

out of 100

The Hollywood Reporter Ray Bennett
Phoenix plays the romantic lead with great intelligence and enormous charm, making his character's conflict utterly believable, and Paltrow positively glows as the radiant shiksa who dazzles him.

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88

out of 100

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
The whole movie is so well-cast and performed that we watch it unfolding without any particular awareness of "acting."

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90

out of 100

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern
For a filmmaker who has made his reputation with such crime thrillers as "Little Odessa" and "The Yards," James Gray reveals an unexpected gift for the mysteries of romance.

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91

out of 100

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
James Gray's Two Lovers really is a '70s movie, in the mode of such raw, unfiltered character studies as "The Panic in Needle Park," "Wanda," and "Fat City."

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See all Two Lovers reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 16+

Joaquin Phoenix indie is a boring, self-indulgent melodrama.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this indie drama stars Joaquin Phoenix and Gwyneth Paltrow but is not a teen-oriented romance. The movie covers several mature themes like alienation, unrequited love, suicidal tendencies, and how parents relate to their adult children. There are two sex scenes, including a bare breast; very coarse language (more than 30 "F" bombs); and an apparent suicide attempt.

Families can talk about the way Leonard's two relationships affect him. How is he different with Sandra than with Michelle?
What genre is this movie?
Was it expressive or boring?
The charactersall seem much younger than the actors. Are the actors believableplaying people in their early 20s?

The good stuff

Messages: Adulterous relationship succeeds, man seems to try to commit suicide.

What to watch for

Violence: Disturbing scene of a man jumping into water apparently to drown himself. Upsetting conversation about miscarriage and a D&C.
Sex: Two sex scenes -- one is in a bed with bare shoulders/backs visible and the other one outdoors with the couple fully clothed. Michelle shows one breast to Leonard through her apartment window.
Language: Coarse language -- more "F" bombs (at least 30) than usual for an R-rated drama.
Consumerism: Mercedes, The Metropolitan Opera, and Cartier are all featured.
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Michelle and her buddies take Ecstasy and various adults at a club and party are shown drinking cocktails.

Common Sense Media

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.