Two Lovers is a very unique movie, a classically independent movie, and one that should be seen by anyone who enjoys a good drama. Director James Gray tells us in the Special Features section of the DVD that this film is a loose adaptation of a Dostoevsky novella. Here’s the basic plot: Joaquin Phoenix plays Leonard, broken and mentally unstable following his failed engagement. He has moved back with his parents in an apartment building in Brooklyn. His parents are pushing him to hook up with Sandra (played wonderfully and quite authentically by Vinessa Shaw), a nice Jewish girl who is the daughter of family friends. At the same time this relationship is developing, Leonard meets the beautiful Michelle, living in his same building, at her married boyfriend’s expense. Michelle is played by Gwyneth Paltrow, and her character is also unstable and volatile (even more so than her mink-clad turn as Margot in The Royal Tenenbaums or her role as a hooker in Hard Eight). So Leonard is torn between these two women.

This is James Gray’s third collaboration with Joaquin Phoenix, along with the way above-average films We Own the Night and The Yards. This is a well-written screenplay and the three main actors have what it takes to do justice to this character-driven story. The cinematography and lighting support the moody and atmospheric nature of the film, and the cinema verité feel is blended with a dreamy quality.

I liked it. A lot. Also in the Special Features, Joaquin Phoenix almost threatens us: “This is my last movie forever.” Too bad if this is the case, because his acting abilities far exceed those of his rap music. – [DVD]

Drama/Romance

Rated R

DVD Release Date: 06/30/09