http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1315981/

Wow this film came out of nowhere. I never found Colin Firth very interesting, heck he seemed very bland to me before. Here though he shines as a man whose life is spiraling downward after his gay lover of 16 years dies in a car accident. The film takes place in the 1960s, which I didn't notice at first but then the vintage cars, and the occasional TV and radio broadcast about the Cuban missle crisis made it pretty clear. This is a very interesting film. Most gay films I have seen show a relationship that is limited to one or maybe two men and sometimes a woman as a cover for being gay This however shows Firth's character as having had sexual relations with women before and he even says he sleeps with women but falls in love with men. There is also not much sexual content in the film. A lot of sexual stuff is hinted at and for a while you think firth's character will either sleep with another man, or woman. This is all part of his life though. He seems like he tries to get closer to people but can't since his last love died. He even keeps a gun with him and practices shooting himself in various ways and places. He tries putting a pillow behind his head, and in the shower. He is also a college teacher who finds most of his students unbearable to teach. They clearly don't care about what he is saying and even when he gets emotionally involved about how we are all scared of something and how fear is used constantly whether it is by the government to make you afraid of communism, or Cuba. What I liked about the story in this film is that while it is slightly predictable at times, it never goes where you expect in the way you think it will. The film hints at a new romance with several people, both male and female. He watches his lady neighbor while she plays with her kids and seems to have a relationship with an old friend Charley who is played by the excellent Julianne Moore. All of this though is simply a distaction for him and whenether he finds himself getting close to someone he can't take it all the way because it hurts him too much.

The film is shot in a very odd way, almost like a fashion commercial or something. There are a lot of seemingly random close ups of eyes and lips, and the film is shot in a strangely dull way. Every color in the film seems to be washed out and bland, except when Firth see's something or someone that brightens his life. I mean that literally, colors bloom and become radiant at times when he feels some kind of strong emotion toward somebody. This is a very unique idea and it works most of the time. Another part of the film I thought was very well done was the music by Abel Korzeniowski. It has an odd ambient sound to it mixed in with some beautiful orchestral segments. It fits the film perfectly and it is one of the best scores of the year by far because you can even hear it outside the film's context and enjoy it. Firth also has a relationship with a student of his, but not one you would expect. It does get a bit more sexual later on but weirdly enough it never gets taken to the point you would think and it is more like two lost souls finding each other and discovering how similar they are. I found it very sweet and touching. I have many friends who like the idea of gay films, but find the sexual scenes uncomfortable. I don't feel this way but I can understand why some would. This film doesn't have any of that, it merely hints at it. It may seem a bit aimless, but that is the point. This man is going through his normal life routine but keeps getting interrupted by people he has either loved or wants to be able to love. He cannot accept that he has to move on and live, and that is the point of the film and what makes it stand out from other gay films. I highly recommend this film, even if you find gay scenes uncomforable you should give it a shot.

Overall I give it a 8.5 out of 10.