Review of Two Lovers (2008) by Rosemarie S — 20 Oct 2009

Joaquin Phoenix acts the SHIT out of the role of lonely bachelor, Leonard. If this performance isn't nominated for an Oscar, I will be seriously depressed. At the heart of this movie is a love triangle between lonely, borderline anti-social, Leonard, a guy who was dumped by his fiancee and lives with his rather intrusive (but very loving) Jewish parents (mom is played by Isabella Rosselini! Gold!), and two women.

One woman is favoured by his parents, she comes from a well-to-do Jewish family, and has a slight crush on Leonard. The other woman is extremely imbalanced; she is having an affair with an older married man, takes too much E, and parties a little too hard.

Leonard is somewhat torn between both woman, but takes a great liking to the woman his parents disapprove of (naturally). Despite the fact that the girl who has a crush on him (Vinessa Shaw) is whole-heartedly into him, Leonard continually pursues the volatile, party-hardy girl.

It may seems like a very high school-y situation, but I guarantee you it is anything but. The ending is fantastic, the classical music is gorgeous, the acting is incredible, the cast is impecable (Vinessa Shaw, Joaquin Phoenix, Elias Koteas, Isabella Rosselini - all in the same movie!).

With a cast like that, you expect gold and you get platinum. Wonderful, wonderful movie that is heavily seasoned with emotion and a healthy dose of gloom.