Two Lovers (2008)

A Brooklyn-set romantic drama about a bachelor torn between the family friend his parents wish he would marry and his beautiful but volatile new neighbor.

Director:

James Gray

Writers:

James Gray, Ric Menello

Stars:

Joaquin Phoenix, Anne Joyce, Vinessa Shaw

2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joaquin Phoenix	...	Leonard Kraditor
Anne Joyce	...	Leonard's Ex-Fiancée
Elliot Villar	...	Bystander
Craig Walker	...	Bystander #2
Carmen M. Herlihy	...	Lady with Baby Carriage
Donald John Hewitt	...	Another Bystander (as Don Hewitt Jr.)
Christian Albrizo	...	Some Kid
Isabella Rossellini	...	Ruth Kraditor
Moni Moshonov	...	Reuben Kraditor
Julie Budd	...	Carol Cohen
Bob Ari	...	Michael Cohen
Iain J. Bopp	...	David Cohen
Vinessa Shaw	...	Sandra Cohen
Gwyneth Paltrow	...	Michelle Rausch
Samantha Ivers	...	Stephanie

Storyline

Leonard Kraditor is a burned-out case, living with his immigrant parents after his fiancée left him, helping out at their Brooklyn dry cleaners, taking photographs, at loose ends, suicidal. In quick succession, he meets two women: Sandra, the daughter of his parents' business associates, frank, direct, sensual, Jewish like Leonard; and, his neighbor Michelle, mercurial, rootless, fun, blond, unattainable. Michelle is in love with a married man and cries on Leonard's shoulder; Sandra wants to save him. Is Leonard willing to risk losing Sandra's fidelity for the moments Michelle's moods swing toward him? Can this end well?

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Plot Keywords:

neighbor | love | married man | photograph | jewish | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes we leave everything to find ourselves.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some sexuality and brief drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [uk] Official site [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 November 2008 (France)

Also Known As:

Amantes

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£88,060 (UK) (27 March 2009)

Gross:

$3,148,482 (USA) (26 June 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

2929 Productions, Wild Bunch, Tempesta Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie is set around Brighton Beach and features Gwyneth Paltrow whose mother Blythe Danner starred in the movie Brighton Beach Memoirs.

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Goofs

After Leonard drops his suitcase out the window it isn't there when he goes downstairs to meet up with Michelle.

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Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: Awards Special 2013 (2013)

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Soundtracks

"I Love to Move in Here"
(2008)
Written by Moby and Grandmaster Caz
Performed by Moby
Courtesy of Mute Records
Under License from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

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.