Blu-Ray Review: A Single Man

A Single Man
Written by: Tom Ford and David Scearce based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood
Directed by: Tom Ford
Starring: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode and Nicholas Hoult

Score by Abel Korzeniowski and Shigeru Umbeayashi

Special Features: Director's Commentary and The Making of A Single Man featurette plus Movie IQ and BD Live.

From the box:

A Single Man is based on the novel of the same name by Christopher Isherwood. Set in Los Angeles in 1962 at the height of the Cuban missile crisis, it is the story of a British college professor (Colin Firth) who is struggling to find meaning to his life after the death of his longtime partner. The story is a romantic tale of love interrupted, the isolation that is an inherent part of the human condition, and, ultimately, the importance of the seemingly smaller moments in life.

If there are people out there, and I am sure there are, who believe that a film cannot be considered art, they should immediately see A Single Man.

I suspect their minds will be blown and changed almost instantaneously. Such is the power of this film. Its beauty, its core, its message, it is art.

Tom Ford has created frame for frame a perfect and gorgeous film. To call it beautiful does it no justice. Every moment is crafted with such perfection that it is almost unbelievable.

There is not a wasted shot in the entire film. Each and every frame is a painting you just want to absorb. It's almost ethereal. Ford has made such amazing use of color and lighting here. It has to be one of the most well directed films I have seen in quite a while. And this, from a first time director. To craft such a complete and flawless work of art on the first go, it's inspiring to see the least. I am eager to see what he does next.

The performances are absolutely brilliant top to bottom. Most especially from Colin Firth, who has delivered an unbelievably grand performance, and Nicholas Hoult who was utterly captivating. 

I could really go on and on about this film.  I absolutely loved it and have to say that it was criminally overlooked at the Oscars.  This should have been nominated across the board.  

On Blu-ray the film looks crystal clear and the vast importance of color is served quite well.  Every nuance and change in saturation is clearly visible on the format. My only complaint here is the lack of special features. I'd have loved to see much more behind the scenes and cut footage.

The film alone though is the real draw here.  A Single Man is one of those films that gives one faith in movies again.  A study of loss and grief with laughs, heartbreak, fascinating characters all told with brilliant direction and a pitch perfect script. I have to mention the score.   A staggeringly beautiful piece of music.  It adds such emotion to a film already full of it. Amazing work. 


I simply cannot recommend this film enough. To use the old movie critic cliche, it is a Must-See.  It is a "Have To See."  It is an "I Beg You To Go Out And Buy It Right Now-See"

A Single Man is most certainly a work of art and one I look forward to visiting again and again.

A Single Man is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.