Two Lovers

I saw "Two Lovers" last night, this film got me excited about American cinema again. A love triangle story is hardly original, but the stars (Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Vinessa Shaw) and director James Gray make it work. Phoenix does a superb job of putting his vulnerable side out there as Leonard, the charming and broken guy who gets into trouble with two very different women. The emotions are genuine, and you really do feel it whether he's deeply in love or in suffering from pain, even if they happen within a matter of hours.

Joaquin Phoenix and Vinessa Shaw in "Two Lovers." (Magnolia Pictures)

You'll also enjoy Isabella Rossellini's turn at playing the protective Jewish mom. She completes the picture of the suffocating life that Leonard (Phoenix) is desperate to escape.

I adored the strong storytelling. Each shot is filmed with purpose and nothing is gratuitous. Even the spare use of music is brilliant, drawing emotional resonance from the audience. This is how movies should be made.

Gwyneth Paltrow in "Two Lovers." (Magnolia Pictures)

I had thought this would be one of those sappy downer films, but there are a lot of sweet moments that find parallels from real life, drawing you further into this messy drama. This is how life is, mixed with lots of good, bad, and the sorta-OK stuff in between.

www.twoloversmovie.com