'A Single Man': The Mercedes Steals the Movie

Here's Colin Firth (left), a potential love interest and the more interesting than either 1958 Mercedes 220SE.^

Here's another example of the great gender divide: Christina and I saw "A Single Man" last night at the Grandin Theatre (yes, I still go). She cried out loud at the end. I was nodding off periodically from about 10 minutes in. I am told crying signals approval among those of the female persuasion. Sleeping does not.

My friend Kurt told me this was "the best movie of the year." I usually agree with Kurt on matters cultural and otherwise. Not this time. This baby was a homo-erotic snoozer from the opening scene of our hero kissing a dead guy.

I don't consider myself insensitive, but Colin Firth never did convince me that his grand suicide scheme in the wake (so to speak) of his lover's sudden death was anything more than a diversion, although I found it mildly amusing that every man (and the only woman with anything like a role) in the movie had the hots for him. Seemed to me to be a pretty boring English professor with a mild, but mostly hidden, philosophical bent and a great car.

The saving grace of fashion designer Tom Ford's movie was a combination of its look (perfect 1962 with an affecting use of color and black and white to emphasize emotion) and a startlingly beautiful forest green 1958 Mercedes 220SE coupe. Point being, I guess, that if you have a great car, you can find love.