Russian-American director James Gray (The Yards) has never been a secret of his affection for the Italian crime drama. This opera influence permeated his first three features, but two lovers takes more signals intimate French films, and anxiety-ridden Russian fiction (specific Dostoyevsky's short story "White Nights"). Aspiring photographer Leonard (Gray regular Joaquin Phoenix) returns to Brooklyn after a failed relationship only to find themselves torn between two paramours of opposite personalities. Sandra (Vinessa Shaw, 3:10 to Yuma) is the safe choice, while Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow, recalling her streetwise character in PT Anderson's Hard Eight) presents a challenge - it is a party girl in love with a married man -- but Michelle enthusiastic him out ways and attentive Sandra, a drug company REP, no. Gray leaves the viewers to determine whether Leonard should religion factor in his decision and his supportive parents (Isabella Rossellini and Moni Monoshov) would like to see him pair with the Jewish Sandra, but they usually want their only son to be happy. If he joins his father - and Sandra's - the dry cleaners game, that would be a happy bonus (the men are engaged in a merger). Although Leonard's bipolar quirks threaten to derail the proceedings - it is hard to believe two beautiful women would gravitate towards a socially awkward fellow - Two Lovers is an improvement over Gray's last film, We Own the Night and a welcome return to the scenic Brighton Beach area Little Odessa, are promising debut.
- Actors: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw
- Directors: James Gray
- Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
- Language: English
- Subtitles: Spanish
- Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Rating: R (Restricted)
- Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
- DVD Release Date: June 30, 2009
- Run Time: 108 minutes
No comments:
Post a Comment