A Single Man

What goes through the mind of a person committing suicide? Actually if the act was planned what goes through their mind from the time they decide to do it till the time that they perform the act of actually ending their life? Do they experience fear, anxiety, anger or any other emotion? Do they go about their normal day? A Single Man is the story of the day that protagonist George Falconer commits suicide.
Eight months prior to the present day, 30th November 1962, the closest person in George Falconer's life, his partner Jim, died of a car accident while visiting his family. To add to the grief of the loss, George was barely even informed of Jim's death let alone be allowed a last glimpse of the love of his life at the funeral. Today George is saturated with the grief that follows him day in and day out and has decided to end his life with his revolver. But before he draws his final breath, he goes about his final day by setting his perspectives right and also those of others around him, all the while he must remind himself to take his pills regularly which are a requirement after having suffered a heart attack months before. The story follows his interactions with his regular friends and others; Charley, his old friend who accompanied him from England to America; Alba, his maid who takes care of his house; Kenny, a student of his English class who is stalking him; Carlos, a Spanish gigolo who he runs into. The day unfolds for George with some routine activities and some unexpected events as he reminisces the past.
While the time period the film is set in were testing times for America in itself, the film unravels a few sentiments which haunted the Americans at the time due to the Cold War and the nuclear threat imposed via Cuba. It allowed for the expression of the political beliefs of the characters of the film and moreover of the director, Tom Ford. An intellectually strong period film which poses questions politically not only in terms of war but also in terms of sexuality with the discrimination faced by homosexuals at the time, A Single Man was terrifically inspired by the novel of the same title written by Christopher Isherwood in 1964.
While most of the film appears in desaturated colors which is presumably the effect the director wanted for this 1960's period film, the color of the film saturates every time the protagonist finds some hope in his life which also reminds us of the condition that he is going through both psychologically and emotionally. The colors represent that for the most part the protagonist is depressed and unhappy but for a few moments, even on the day he plans to be his final day, he does experience a little joy in his life.
While much could be said about the storyline and its few twists and turns, especially in the end, it must be remembered that it is an adaptation from a novel. All the while it is an interesting and stimulating film. Also adding to the quality of the film is a great performance by Colin Firth who portrays the protagonist. It must be said that the BAFTA he won for it was definitely well deserved granted the brilliant effort he put in on his part.
For the first film in the directorial role by Tom Ford, this is definitely a job well done and a terrific watch for anyone who enjoys a well executed film with heavy bearings on human and social factors.