Zanichelli Editore

“A Single Man” is a 2009 American movie, directed by the fashion designer Tom Ford and based on the novel written by Christopher Isherwood in 1964. It is the story of George, a middle-aged gay professor, wonderfully played by Colin Firth.

George is single. His heart is broken because his longtime lover died and he feels he can't live without him. In a single day he reflects on all his life and he even buys a gun because he wants to commit suicide.

The film is Tom Ford's directorial debut.The premiere was at the Venice Festival in September 2009.

"It's the most personal thing I've ever done and it's the thing that is the most expressive of who I am," said the director in an interview. “But it's not a gay story. George goes through the normal pains and pleasures that we all go through in life."

The film has received mostly positive reviews, and all of them praise Colin Firth's performance.

But now let's read what the readers of “The New York Times” say about it:

So moving, so touching and the sensitivity of Colin Firth's performance demands Oscar recognition. An incredible achievement as a first film for Tom Ford. The art direction is superb.

• Kathy, West Hartford, Connecticut

Useless, boring, self-important, obvious. This is what you get if fashion designers make movies - Warning – you can enter the cinema only if you are thin, beautiful and terribly depressed!

• Bob, Richmond, Virginia

A film filled with love, loss, art and beauty.
Extraordinary attention paid to every detail, the portrayal of every emotion. What a fantastic afternoon I had at the movies today!

• Frank, Boston, Massachussets
  

There's no question the cinema, the acting, the shots, the music, is all good but the plot is boring. The movie drags from almost the beginning. Unfortunately what makes for a good novel doesn't necessary become a good movie.

• Carol, New York City, New York.