Cinema in Leeds

Two Lovers

Two Lovers

110 mins Dir: James Gray Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow,Vinessa Shaw

Having not bothered with the routine hype that precedes most film releases, you'd be lucky to know that Two Lovers exists. Three mesmerizing minutes into the most intensely sombre opening sequence ever, and any misconception that you may be in store for a slapstick-style rom-com starring Ben Stiller is hastily dispelled.

Set in suburban New York, Two Lovers is about Leonard (Joaquin Phoenix), a drycleaner-cum-photographer who is forced to move back into his parents' house after a failed engagement, where he sets about the drawn-out process of rebuilding his life. If that weren't harrowing enough, Leonard suffers from a bipolar disorder which means he would much rather top himself then live another day with his dad's Benny Hill DVD collection.

Then, in among all this depression, Leonard meets family friend Sandra (Vinessa Shaw), which seems like it might just be the tonic he needs. That is until a chance encounter with new neighbour Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow) plunges any hope of a fairytale ending right down the plughole.

Something else that spirals rapidly into the abyss is Phoenix's sex appeal. It certainly doesn't help that any empathy you might have initially felt for Leonard is quickly dispersed when the character begins deceiving with such uncomfortable ease. Suddenly bunny boiling seems more rational.

The role is a change of style for Phoenix, who is normally typecast in eye-appeasing roles. His portrayal as a manic depressive is suitably erratic, and certainly stands out among the rest of the cast. There was one other memorable performance - Gwyneth should get a special mention for the gratuitous unveiling of her left breast.

Although the plot moves about as slowly as Leonard's moral conscience develops, there are some momentary mood-lifting reprieves. You'd have to be made of stone (or asleep) to stifle a smile during Phoenix's take on the disco dance-off.

And while the film is undeniably beautifully shot - with quirky camera work and atmospheric lighting aplenty - if you're looking for something more meaningful, you'll be hard-pressed to find it here.

Cristina Azorin

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