Two Lovers (2008)
Well acted but ultimately frustrating, the story of Two Lovers is a raw, unrelenting look at bungled love and misplaced affection among a trio of New York thiry-somethings.
Phoenix fans, and I count myself among them, will no doubt treasure his performance and regret the frustration and embarrassment of his new professional direction. It’s hard to imagine Joaquin no longer acting after this performance. It’s a solid, nuanced role that can easily be numbered amongst his finest.
The supporting cast of Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw also submit wonderfully complex roles. As someone who has never really cared for Paltrow I consider this among the few stand out roles for her. Shaw is given less to chew on with this script but nonetheless is radiant and heartfelt.
It’s hard to say what is wrong with the story. It does what it set out to do. But ultimately I find the blind and poor decisions made by Paltrow and Phoenix to be frustrating and inept. Paltrow, like a moth to a flame, holds out for a married man she seems hellbent on getting validation from. Phoenix in turn chases after her, happy to soak up any attention she sends his way even though she’s clear she’s not romantically interested in Phoenix and despite Phoenix having a willing, more emotionally stable and wonderful companion (Shaw) waiting in the wings.
Watching Phoenix and Paltrow do this tortured dance is what makes their roles so meaty and fulfilling, but as someone with an allergy to intentional stupidity I walk away a bit frustrated by two characters that should be above these high school style infatuations.
| Title | Content |
|---|---|
| Movie: | Two Lovers |
| Director: | |
| Genre: | Drama | Romance |
| Tagline: | Sometimes we leave everything to find ourselves. |
| Plot Outline: | A Brooklyn-set romantic drama about a bachelor (Phoenix) torn between the family friend his parents wish he would marry and his beautiful but volatile new neighbor. |
| User Rating: | 9,564 votes, average 7.3 out of 10 |
| Runtime: | 110 |
| Awards: |
6 nominations |
| Cast: | Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Moni Moshonov, Isabella Rossellini … |
| Others: |  Additional Details
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| Photos: | 
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| Poster: | 
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