Two Lovers (2008)

Director:

James Gray

Writers (WGA):

James Gray (written by) &
Ric Menello (written by)

Release Date:

19 November 2008 (France)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Sometimes we leave everything to find ourselves.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Married Man | Jewish | Love | Hiding | Jewish Mother

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Joaquin Phoenix	...	Leonard Kraditor
Gwyneth Paltrow	...	Michelle Rausch
Vinessa Shaw	...	Sandra Cohen
Moni Moshonov	...	Reuben Kraditor
Isabella Rossellini	...	Ruth Kraditor
John Ortiz	...	Jose Cordero
Bob Ari	...	Michael Cohen
Julie Budd	...	Carol Cohen
Elias Koteas	...	Ronald Blatt
Shiran Nicholson	...	DJ Juice
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
David Cale	...	Jeweler
Kathryn Gerhardt	...	New Year's Eve Party Guest #3
Nick Gillie	...	Livery Driver
Carmen M. Herlihy
Samantha Ivers	...	Stephanie
Anne Joyce	...	Leonard's ex-fiance
Mari Koda	...	Popping Dancer
RJ Konner	...	Upscale Opera Guest
Evan Lewis	...	Uncle
Marion McCorry	...	Nurse
David Ross	...	Waiter
Jeanine Serralles	...	Dayna
Jose Edwin Soto
Uzimann	...	Cab Driver
Elliot Villar	...	Bystander
Mark Vincent	...	Ronald's driver
Craig Walker

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some sexuality and brief drug use.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R | France:U | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:12 | UK:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:M18 | New Zealand:M | Mexico:B15 | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB)

Filming Locations:

Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

2929 Productions

Trivia:

The role of Michelle was written with Gwyneth Paltrow in mind.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Leonard leaves the New Years Eve party to meet up with Michelle, he picks up his coat on the rack near the door and you can clearly see that he drops it to the floor rather than holding it (perhaps the actor was expecting the director to cut at this point). In the next shot, he is outside the apartment door holding the coat in his hands.

Movie Connections:

References Rear Window (1954)

Soundtrack:

Vivo Sonhando

The Flight Of Joaquin Phoenix

Perhaps, the most startling aspect of "Two Lovers" is Joaquin Phoenix's performance. Superb. I haven't really liked any of the James Gray's films, until now that is. There is something profoundly moving and profoundly truthful here and I'm sure it has to do with Phoenix's portrayal. Gwynneth Paltrow is wonderful as the girl walking an emotional tightrope. And Vinessa Shaw is a real find. I was also moved by Isabella Rossellini as Joaquin's mother! Beautiful and intense but unlike many of her contemporaries not "cosmetic" A real extraordinary face. In fact she looks more like her mother Ingrid Bergman now than she ever did. So, a smart, romantic "dramedy" with wonderful performances. When was the last time I was able to say that? Go see it and tell me if you think I'm exaggerating at all.