Two Lovers (**)

Directed by: James Gray
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Isabella Rossellini, Moni Moshonov
Seen: 21st May 2009

** Out of ****

What is it that makes people act the way they do when they even start thinking they’re in love with each other, even though that person is, in effect, sucking the life and energy out of you. Leonard (Phoenix) is a simple (almost to the point of being mentally challenged) man having trouble dealing with some things in his life, he was engaged, but because of a genetic defect in both him and his then-fiancée, she left him, and he is subsequently suicidal – as we see in the film’s opening scene when Leonard jumps off a bridge into a freezing river.

Leonard works for his father’s (Moshonov) dry-cleaning business, which is up for sale to the Cohen family, who also tries to set Leonard up with their daughter, Sandra. The two really connect, and Leonard promises to call her again. But Leonard also meets his new neighbour, Michelle, and pretty much Sandra’s opposite, and he immediately falls for her, almost as if, in his need for his own salvation, he reaches out to someone he can save himself. Michelle is a slightly neurotic recovering drug addict having an affair with a married man, believing his empty promises of leaving his family for her, thus the need for a saviour. Leonard continues seeing both Sandra and Michelle, but he is not present with Sandra, easily distracted by Michelle’s (desperate/manufactured/draining?) issues at any point in time.

The film takes far too long to reach any meaningful conclusion, and the “happy ending” is the best one, but the means of getting there is just not, shall I say fair. I cannot find a serious drama (maybe still some Science Fiction films, but not a drama) that, by some form of Deus Ex Machina, finds its resolution and parades it as the right choice, satisfying. In a story such as this there has to be some resolution of conflict or at least some confrontation, which simply does not exist here, the tension just sizzles and dies, and then the credits roll.

Joaquin Phoenix does a great job in his apparent final film (at least for a while), as does Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw, both really making you feel true emotion towards these characters. In my case, unfortunately, it ended up as one of true annoyance at both Phoenix and Paltrow’s characters, and sympathy for that of Shaw, which, with a supposed “happy ending”, is the absolute worst I can think of. If you like slow-burner romances that end happy no matter the cost, go ahead with this one. But if you want a more honest (not realistic, as this can easily happen exactly as in the film) love story in itself, be sure avoid this film, since it asks of you to think about it afterwards, but does not leave a good taste in the mouth.