"Phoenix is phenomenal... Divine gem... Do not miss this captivating film about the true reality of love."

If this truly is the last time we will see this sensational actor playing emotionally-haunted roles on screen, in favour of pursuing a life of music, then 27th March is truly a sad day to mark in the calendar. Premature mourning aside, Joaquin Phoenix could not have chosen a more fitting final performance than that of emotionally-scarred Leonard in writer-director James Gray’s modern romantic drama to showcase his remarkable inner torment, hyper-sensitivity and slightly eccentric traits that he manages to weave into every character interpretation. Simply put: Phoenix is phenomenal.

This project marks a dramatic and brave new change for Gray who normally concentrates on crime-related dramas (such as We Own The Night, also starring Phoenix), but it is comforting to know that writer-director and star have a history together and are very close friends. Indeed, the setting for this film is a rather familiar one for Gray and those who have worked on his films: Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. In fact, it appears that Gray was able to add more attention to detail in developing Leonard in the script as he wrote it specifically for Phoenix — and that close collaboration is not lost in the impact of the final product. This beautiful story is one of the most tragic contemporary love stories to have hit the big screen in a while. The idea of love is taken very seriously, indeed, exposing its ugly and painful side and the utter helplessness of falling for someone who is not deemed ‘suitable’. Gray’s production adds to the mounting despair with its gritty, almost gloomy cinematography that is punctuated by scenes of vibrant colour, as Leonard has the chance to break free of his restraints and duties, and just escape and live a little…

In meeting two opposing women — both equally flawed and entrancing in their own right — but one who is ‘safe’ and acceptable (Sandra played by Vinessa Shaw), and the other more mysterious and volatile (Michelle played by Gwyneth Paltrow), Leonard is torn between the life that is expected of him under the Jewish religion, and the life he fantasises about others having. The anguished chemistry between Phoenix and Paltrow is all-consuming to bear witness to, and on a par with any scenes taken from any great love story of a previous age, such as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliette. As the pair literally drain the energy from one another, when the crucial decision comes, you are convinced that it will end in ultimate tragedy for one or both of them. The irony is, all of this sentiment is expertly and tenuously portrayed through one of the most average tales of mismatched love that there is.

If it’s a choice between following your heart or your head, allow the former to happen with this divine gem, and expect a wave of raw emotion to wash over you. James Gray even has a befitting concluding twist for all those who think they have the end figured out. Do not miss this captivating film about the true reality of love.

Synopsis

A classical romantic drama set in the insular world of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn by director James Gray. It tells the story of Leonard (Phoenix), an attractive but troubled young man who moves back into his childhood home following a suicide attempt. While recovering under the watchful eye of his worried but ultimately uncomprehending parents, he encounters two women in quick succession…

There’s Michelle (Paltrow), a mysterious and beautiful neighbour-exotic and out-of-place in Leonard’s staid Brighton Beach neighbourhood. But he soon discovers that she too is deeply troubled. Meanwhile, his parents try to set him up with Sandra (Shaw), the lovely and caring daughter of the suburban businessman who’s buying out the family drycleaning business. At first resistant to her appeal (and to his family’s pressure), Leonard gradually discovers hidden depths in Sandra. A potential romance with Sandra is complicated, however, when Michelle, her life spiralling out of control, enlists Leonard’s help in dealing with the destructive affair she’s carrying on with another man. As Michelle seems poised to fall for Leonard alongside Leonard’s family pressuring him into committing to Sandra, Leonard is forced to make an impossible decision-between the impetuousness of desire and the comfort of love-or risk falling back into the darkness that nearly killed him.

Film Facts

Official site: http://www.twolovers.co.uk/

UK Release Date: 27th March 2009

Director: James Gray

Writers: James Gray, Ric Menello

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix (’Leonard Kraditor‘), Gwyneth Paltrow (’Michelle Rausch’), Vinessa Shaw (’Sandra Cohen’), Isabella Rossellini (’Ruth Kraditor’), Elias Koteas (’Ronald Blatt’), Moni Monoshov (’Reuben Kraditor’), John Ortiz (’Jose Cordero’), Bob Ari (’Michael Cohen’), Julie Budd (’Carol Cohen’), Samantha Ivers (‘Stephanie’)

Distributor: Lionsgate UK

Certificate: 15

Run-time: 108 mins

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