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Friday
06Mar2009

Movie Review - 'Two Lovers'

DateFriday, March 6, 2009 at 12:00AM
Two Lovers

Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Vinessa Shaw
Directed by James Gray
Rated R

twolovers_galleryposter.jpg The biggest thing you take away from Two Lovers is external. Joaquin Phoenix, as you've probably heard or seen, has decided to retire from acting to focus on a career in hip hop. Maybe you've seen him try to rap on TMZ; you can even watch him try a little of it in this movie. He doesn't bring to the music world what he brings to motion pictures.

And Two Lovers represents some of his best work. It's a small movie by comparison to Walk the Line or even 2006's We Own the Night, which, like this film, was directed by James Gray.

It's just a real shame that for as long as Phoenix pursues music, we'll be missing performances that could be this good or better.

So it's sad for that reason that you know you're watching a guy who might not ever do this again, or is in some way sad enough to believe that he has nothing more to say as an actor. But to focus solely on Phoenix and his current behavior is to ignore what a revelation the rest of this movie is. Gray has made several movies in the less glamorous parts of New York City, and in Two Lovers, his Brooklyn is as big a player as Phoenix or the two lovers, full of subtleties and character, capable of healing or breaking your heart.

Leonard (Phoenix) has seen enough of Brooklyn breaking his heart. The movie opens with him diving into the drink. He's fished out by passers-by, but this isn't the first time he's tried it. Leonard lives with his parents and works for his father. It hasn't always been like this for him. In fact, we get the sense that he's literally on the flip side of his life.

As it often happens, he finds hope in the eyes of a woman. During a dinner with his parents' friends, Leonard meets Sandra (Vinessa Shaw). She's beautiful, yes, but she has an ease and genuine nature about her that would draw anyone in. Sandra confesses that she's been trying to meet Leonard for a while.

That happy ending, of course, would be too easy.

Within a couple of days, Leonard's life is turned upside down by Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow), which is easy for her to do since her own life is already the wrong way around. She likes Leonard. He's her speed. He's captivated, but she's not in love with him. Not even close.

Two Lovers goes back and forth between the woman Leonard needs and the one he wants. Phoenix showcases different sides of himself whenever he's around Michelle than he does while he's with Sandra. The levels of his confidence are the most obvious changes, but it's a sign of a fully formed character when Leonard is the same each time he's with the same woman. It's like flipping a switch. Terrific work.

Paltrow has never taken the easy road to her stardom. Quick: Pick two Gwyneth Paltrow blockbusters! The fact is, outside of Iron Man, Paltrow has always sought out more layered character work. That experience benefits her here, building something of a basket case out of spare parts.

And Vinessa Shaw, who's been a this a while bu has never had a role with this much to do opposite co-stars with at least Oscar nominations, is completely undaunted. In a lot of cases like this, you'll see an actor really go for broke thinking that it's the best shot he or she will get. Shaw doesn't fall into that trap, and her performance and the film is better for it. Again, keep in mind, she's the character we want Leonard to fall for, so we have to fall for her a litle bit, too.

Director James Gray has made a film that doesn't feel like it's touched by formula or that it's made to fill a quota. This one's got meaning to him, and it shows.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | Comment3 Comments |

Reader Comments (3)

Love Joaquin. Hope he comes back to movies. That kind of talent doesn't come around too often. Good review,Colin. Can't wait to check it out.

Friday, March 6, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterOneFeistyGirl

Thanks for this review, Joaquin is definitely the best actor around even if he decided to stop his career. He's simply brillant.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMaggie

watch it online at high quality: http://xtshare.com/movie/viewfilm.php?Id=182&view=Two-Lovers

Sunday, March 22, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterjohn

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