TWO LOVERS

Directed By: James Gray

Review By: Kim Jindra

I had a hard time buying TWO LOVERS but I admired the performances.  The film opens with a heart broken Leonard (Joaquin Phoenix) thinking better of attempting suicide and returning dripping wet to his parents (Isabella Rossellini and Moni Monshov) apartment.  Concerned, they set him up with the Sandra (Vinessa Shaw) the beautiful daughter of a potential business partner.  Leonard is mildly interested until he catches sight of a new tenant (Gwyneth Paltrow) and falls head over obsession.

Leonard's attraction to both women is understandable but I had a harder time understanding Sandra's interest especially when he doesn't seem committed to their relationship.  Having said that, Shaw gives Sandra this beautifully innocent adoring quality that any man would be hard to pass up.   Michelle's interest in Leonard did not ring true.  In fact, I also had a hard time with her almost desperate attraction to Ronald (Elias Koteas).  The story tried to imply it was more than financial but even a monetary need felt false.

Many of the scenes are agonizingly slow, and the conclusion is entirely predictable but the film is worth seeing.  I only wish the actors had a better script for their efforts.