I'd heard several good things last year about Two Lovers. I probably never would have gone out of my way to see it, but since it was on Netflix instant I queued it up. I proceeded to never watch it for months and months. I guess all the talk about Joaquin's new film finally gave me that extra push I needed to watch Two Lovers. I didn't think I was going to like it. I was in the mood for something lighter, and didn't expect the somber melancholy tone that prevailed from beginning to end. However, it was executed well and I found myself enjoying this film quite a bit. I'm glad I watched it. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It gets a 6 out of 10 from me. Two Lovers
I was impressed by how effective this movie was at creating the melancholy mood and maintaining it the entire way through. Joaquin does a really good job selling the main character. It was all done well enough to actually make me frustrated by how jacked-up this guy's head was. I wanted him to come to his senses, and it was pissing me off that he never could. For me, there was no question which one he should pick. I don't know if everybody who watches this film would feel the same way. I would classify myself as "safe". If I were in his situation there would be no contest as to which woman I would want to be with. That would have made for a short movie, so obviously he is torn between them.
It was odd how quickly the relationships developed. It felt like there was a lot of stuff that happened off camera that we didn't get to see. It may have been a situation where scenes were edited out, but through the middle of the film it seemed like we were missing out on some information. Even though it felt like they cut stuff out, the middle seemed to drag a bit. It wasn't too bad, and I realize I can't have it both ways.
I felt the ending was set up really well, and the last few scenes made the entire film. I was hoping for one outcome, and up until the end I had no clue if I was going to get it or not. Not all may consider it a good thing, but no matter what you were hoping for, the ending will probably be sad. They way the final bit played out made Two Lovers have a lot more impact than I thought it could have at the halfway point. It stayed very even with that same melancholy tone, and gave us an ending that is so bittersweet.
I just finished praising the end, but I also feel the plot got a little sloppy down the stretch. I alluded to the fact that this situation seemed pretty far fetched. Well, the final act asks you to suspend disbelief even further in order to go along with how everything plays out. I didn't have too much of a problem with it, there were just a few times that I wanted to say, "oh come on!"
Overall I was impressed with Two Lovers. I was expecting a more by-the-book love story, but this one challenged me a little more. I enjoyed it. If you have Netflix instant it is definitely worth watching. If not, I would recommend renting it if it's available at your video store, and you don't have anything better to watch. is about an awkward dude that miraculously gets two chicks to hang out with him at the same time. Both of them are of similar levels of attractiveness. I would say both of them are out of his league. One of the girls is nice and sensitive; seemingly perfect for him. The other one is wild and comes with all sorts of baggage. It is the classic tale of head versus heart. Usually we will root for heart to win that battle, but I was hoping his logic would prevail the entire time. Somehow this guy is able to have relationships with both women without raising too much suspicion. One is his "girlfriend" and the other is just a good friend, so I guess it is okay. Of course, he really only loves one of them.
Filed Under: Drama, Paltrow, Phoenix, Romance