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| Movie Review: Two Lovers Alternate Title: Contrasts
Story: Imagine a contemporary
love story that is not filled with stupid boy/girl antics, pratfalls
and fart jokes. Director and writer James Gray (along
with writer Richard Menello) have created a romantic
movie that is an adult, character driven tale of love lost and found
(sans stupid gimmicks). It is the fall of 2008, in the colorful community
of Brighton Beach. Leonard has moved back home with his loving, devoted,
Russian Jewish parents after some difficult experiences with love, depression
and an attempted suicide. He meets the uncomplicated, solid, lovely
Sandra through filial connections and she is smitten. He then meets
the forbidden fruit (a shiksa) Michelle who is unstable, selfish and
dating an older married man. She is basically a lot of trouble. Guess
who Leonard goes ga ga over? How this three character based story develops
is real, dynamic and engaging. I highly recommend this film to anyone who likes character driven stories
and wonderfully detailed sets and backgrounds. And did I mention there
is brisket? Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMpuIAiuabw Acting: It is too bad that Joaquin Phoenix
recently announced his retirement from film. I hope he changes his mind.
This performance as Leonard is simply terrific. You cannot take your
eyes off of him. Gwyneth Paltrow as the forbidden fruit
holds her own against a bravura performance by Phoenix. The beautiful
Vinessa Shaw somehow managed to come off as plain and
did a fine job as Sandra. Isabella Rossellini as Leonard's
mother hit pay dirt. She is terrific as is Moni Moshonov,
as the loving father. Trivia: Director James Gray grew
up in Queens and wanted to be a painter. This is his third film with
Joaquim Phoenix. His grandparents were Russian immigrants.
Joaquin Phoenix was born in Puerto Rico to Children
of God missionaries John Bottom Amram and Arlyn Dunetz Jochebed (a.k.a.
Heart), Joaquin was the middle child in a brood of five. He once refused
to wear shoes during a photo shoot for Prada because they were made
out of leather. He is a vegan. He announced his retirement from acting
and said that Two Lovers would be his last movie as an actor. Stay tuned.
Predilection: I like films made in Brighton Beach.
It is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
Critters: Goldfish and seagulls and a dog (who is
never, ever walked).
Food: It is a Jewish household. Food is always in
the picture. I was particularly taken with the brisket scene. Without
blowing my own horn, I must say that my Judy Lobo brisket looks better
than the one featured in the film and I dare say, tastes better. Anyone
reading this want to testify to that statement?
Sex Spectrum: Leonard gets lucky with both of the
ladies.
Soundtrack: A wonderful track filled with great opera
arias.
Opening Titles: I cannot remember.
Visual Art: The details are visually eye popping.
I felt as is I were in my Aunt Minnie and Uncle Larry's Brighton Beach
apartment 40 years ago.
Theater Audience: Five other people.
Weather: It was a chilly fall and winter in Brighton
Beach.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Perhaps
Big Screen or Rental: Either would be fine. Check
out director James Gray's other films, including: Little Odessa,
We Own the Night and The Yards.
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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