+: ‘A Single Man’ is a beautifully written love story, and a powerful testament to mankind’s ability to overcome loss and alienation It is like diving into someone else’s conscience completely (in this case George’s) and experiencing alongside him, his doubts and fears regarding his future, but also the little joys he obtains from being able to connect with others and with the world around him.
If you grant ‘A Single Man’ its deserved level of attention, you will soon realize that Isherwood has provided you with some of the most eloquent, profound, yet raw observations of the human mind you’ll ever read in prose. There are thus some differences between the book and its film adaptation, but the main premise of the original story is well portrayed throughout the film – that of Carpe Diem to be present and live life in the moment, as if each day was your last one.Īs for the rest: the amazing dialogues, the intriguing characters, the quiet insights into George’s states of mind, his strange symbiotic relationship with longtime friend Charley, it’s almost all there in the film as well, making it a wonderful and worthy adaptation of Isherwood’s short novel.ĭon’t be fooled by its short length or deceptively simple appearance though. After all, Tom Ford’s ‘George’ is clearly a defeated man at the beginning of the movie, more than willing to follow his lover to the grave, even if that means putting an end to his own existence. If you are not familiar with Isherwood’s book, but instead with Tom Ford’s 2009 film adaptation based on it, the last paragraph might come as a surprise to you. He is in no way a quitter after all, and with extraordinary humor and clairvoyance, Isherwood has depicted to the reader George’s resolute determination to keep on living, and to not succumb to the alienation Jim’s loss has resulted in for him. In the midst of it all, George tries to relearn how to live and enjoy the simple pleasures in life, whilst fulfilling his daily gestures and social obligations.
Old and young generations clash constantly, not understanding each other’s roles in present times life is confusing and for most, devoid of significant meaning and/or purpose. The background of the story is suburban Southern California of the early 1960s and its eclectic society, itself battling with its wartime past and its uncertain future.
Often celebrated as Christopher Isherwood’s masterpiece, ‘A Single Man’ tells the tale of George Falconer, a middle-aged English university teacher, who finds himself having a hard time overcoming the sudden death of his longtime lover and housemate Jim. A Single Man (c) Christopher Isherwood, 1964
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