Alright, this is muuuuch more like it. The old poster for Tom Ford’s stylish and beautiful feature-film debut, “A Single Man,” left us and many others feeling a might cold (plus lead actor Colin Firth looked like he was wearing funny, gimmick glasses in it).
This new one keeps much more with the film’s sumptuous look, gorgeous aesthetics and rich emotional tones. It’s definitely one of our favorite films of this year, Colin Firth — who we never particularly cared for before — is tremendous, as is Julianne Moore, who looks just ravishing in this poster.
Both of them will likely get Oscar nominations, but it’s actually Moore who has the better shot as she’s been nominated four freaking times now and never won. Firth won the Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival earlier this year and since it’s his first nomination and he’s up against Jeff Bridges for “Crazy Heart” (and Bridges has also been nominated four times and never won), he might just have to wait.
Truthfully, “A Single Man” deserves a Best Picture nomination much more than outside choices like, “Inglourious Basterds,” “Star Trek,” “District 9” and even inside choices like Pixar’s “Up,” but the buzz so far is mild for whatever reason and it seems that The Weinstein Company aren’t going to push this one as they will “Nine.” Tom Ford deserves a Best Director nom too (yes, above Jason Reitman), but that doesn’t feel like it’s going to happen. Also big ups to Polish composer Abel Korzeniowski’s deeply affecting score.
“A Single Man” hasn’t screened for that many NY/LA critics yet, so maybe there’s still hope. The picture hits theaters in limited release on December 11 and also features solid performances by Matthew Goode, Nicholas Hoult and Ginnifer Goodwin. Here’s our review from TIFF and here’s the trailer if you haven’t seen it.
Update: LOL, although we guess it’s obvious, but even we forgot to mention it (or does it even matter?), “A Single Man” is a story about a bereaved man getting over the loss of his lover who died in a car accident (yes, he’s GAY!!). But many people are noting that the posters and marketing are shying away from the “gay angle.” In this hilarious Harvey Weinstein, “interview” errr… :30 second conversation over at Vulture, he seems pretty loathe to talk about it, defensive and makes his exit quick.
Is it difficult to market a movie about a gay romance?
No, Brokeback Mountain did pretty well. Midnight Cowboy did pretty well. If you know how to market, you can market. There’s an audience for it. The poster seemed to play down the gay part.
I’m good. You got enough. Thank you.
Harv, you’re right. “Brokeback Mountain,” “Milk,” these movies have earned nominations, praise and awards. What are you so worried about? We wish he’d cut that shit out. It doesn’t help the film’s chances. A new, quick scene from the film has made its way online.
I finally saw the trailer for this on Saturday and and found that pretty de-gayed as well, aside from occasional shots of pretty boys mixed in with Firth and Moore kissing or dancing.
I actually prefer the other poster, gimicky glasses aside. The black frame on this new one kinda of takes away from the fabulous photo.
I like the poster; it screams Tom ford, which is a very good thing.
I hate how they are de-gaying it, the book was beautiful and haunting at the same time, and this is one I cannot wait to see! I dont understand them doing it.
Colin Firth fans are going to go to this and feel betrayed thinking its a romantic movie where he plays prince charming, and its not! I wish the weinsteins would stop with the whole nine thing, and promote the films that need it.
I don't think 'A Single Man' should expect much of the "For Your Consideration" and marketing dollars that The Weinstein Company will be throwing around.
Can you really compare its appeal with that of Nine or even Inglorious Basterds? That's what the point of the marketing dollars is about anyway isn't it?
This is a studio that puts out shitty horror/halloween movies 2/4 of the time, delays other prestige films for months another 1/4 of the time and gets a few that draw attention the other 1/4.
So even if A Single Man is critically more successful than Nine, the latter has more of a chance of being a hit with audiences.
It's tough to spend money on a film starring Firth and Moore over Daniel Day Lewis (who has a license to print "For Your Consideration – Actor" ads), Cruz, Kidman, Cotillard, Loren, Hudson, Fergie, etc.