Review of Two Lovers (1928) by Eyal D — 30 Aug 2009

James Gray films almost always seem to meander even when they are truly very simply constructed. TWO LOVERS is no exception, except that unlike Gray's previous features there are no criminal elements and no thrills to fall back on. Instead we get to watch a gifted, nuanced Joaquin Phoenix [in his third Gray film] portray a simple, troubled and fragile man trying to figure out what bleak future he has carved for himself.

While living under his gracious immigrant parents' roof, Phoenix is set to marry a nice Jewish girl played by Vinessa Shaw but falls real hard for his shikse neighbour portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow. She's even more of a problem child than he'll ever be and her presence in his life, while initially filled with elation and hope, only spells potential doom.

While the scenario may sound exciting in writing, unfortunately on film it bogs down in its own depressing narrative structure that keeps highlighting Phoenix's lost soul attributes. TWO LOVERS is a quiet study of someone hoping for better prospects while weighted down in self-tortured misery, that frankly, cannot be satisfactorily explained to the audience. Filming inner turmoil and angst is not easy. It's also a burdensome topic of interest for any viewer. A filmmaker needs to be skilled at making it fully work. Gray's got the colour scheme right on [he's got the dreary down pat]. He's also included an authentic dosage of humanity. So what is he missing? Perhaps, an interesting subject matter.