You know when you meet someone at a party and they seem to expect to be the center of attention, like they want you to hang on every condescending syllable they utter? "A Single Man" is an entire movie like that. Every lingering look, every slow motion shot, every enigmatic line of dialogue is filled with self importance.
Colin Firth is a college professor circa 1962 who's long time lover, Jim, has died in a car crash. He's not even allowed at the funeral. His neighbor and ex-lover Charlie (Julianne Moore)tries to comfort him but really has her own heterosexual agenda. It's a slow march to suicide for Mr. Firth until the prettiest boy in the whole school gives him the time of day. (And I mean pretty in a Woddy Allen-esque, wish fulfillment sort of way) A lot of conversation dripping with subtext ensues. My neighbor Justin hit the nail on the head. He said the trailer looked like a Saturday Night Live send up of this kind of film. Julianne Moore's character is a forerunner of the that English redhead from "Absolutely Fabulous" without the satire. Colin Firth is excellent in the role but it can't save the film. This one you can skip.
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