Rent A Single Man (2009)

Classy British acting - A Single Man review by Pete W

A group of (mainly) British actors give a restrained, dignified set of performances. Colin Firth dominates the film and is in practically every shot. An interesting story line with a number of twists and turns kept me engaged. I agree with a previous reviewer - the "gay" tag is irrelevant.

Stylish and touching - A Single Man review by NP

Often, I will watch a film because of the actors. With Tom Ford, I will watch a film because he directed it. The fact that such terrific actors as Colin Firth and Julianne Moore are in it is a huge bonus. The story, about a gay man coming to terms with age, mortality and life after his partner dies, is not necessarily what I’d usually choose to follow. And yet such is the talent on display here, it is a really ‘easy’ watch – in that it all seems so effortlessly stylish, heart-felt and real, it takes no effort at all to be sucked into the drama. Really effective music too.

The story could be described as thin, but that doesn’t matter when Ford guides us through the day-to-day life of George (Firth), superficially uptight and distant but privately more playful and open. His wonderfully bored rich friend Charley (Julianne Moore) is very watchable too – so much money and beauty, but so listless, her only excitement is at the bottom of a bottle.

Stylish and without the need for huge spectacle to move us, the ending is truly touching. My score is 8 out of 10.

What acting ! - A Single Man review by JD

The Bafta award for acting was won 100 times over. Firth plays such a diverse range of emotions with supreme subtlety. It is a powerful drama using acting skill rather than plot to create tension. Its gayness is pretty full-on but isn't pornographic at all. The plot is pretty basic but this film is about feelings rather than story.