Two Lovers
Director: James Gray
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joaquin Phoenix, Vinessa Shaw
Details: US / 110 mins (15A).
Gray, who cast Phoenix in The Yards and We Own The Night, wrote Leonard hoping that empathy will get the audience onside and it works: We've all lied, done something stupid, treated someone badly, allowed someone to treat us badly, etc. There's a part of Leonard in all of us, but is empathy enough to carry a film? And would there be as much attention on Phoenix's performance if he didn't announce his 'retirement'? It's hard to dissociate what is happening off screen with what is happening on screen sometimes (Phoenix's rapping and dancing in two scenes don't help). The low-key, slight plot certainly comes second best to Phoenix here, and the focus is very much on him. He's in every scene, every other shot, and it takes a degree of talent not to overact when you're aware it's your last role on the big screen.
Phoenix plays it down and shows signs that he would have gotten better and better. He's not fantastic here, he's just perfect for this particular role and he's not on his own: Paltrow, although still playing the ultimate whinge, is whinging better as Michelle than the other whingers she's played. This won't be Phoenix's last film. I promise you that.
Review by Gavin Burke
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