The only movie you need to watch tonight: ‘Two Lovers’
The trains are always on the move in Netflix’s station.
Some are ready for drumroll arrivals, while others prepare for a heartbreaking departure. While September took a lot from dear fans, a romantic blast from the past, Two Lovers, is still awaiting the green signal.
It feels like the universe has heard. So, it’s time to act fast and tune into James Gray’s romantic drama before the stop turns go on September 5th. As for those saving Two Lovers for a cosy weekend watch, this is a reminder to catch up with the film before it leaves the station, so reconsider your weekend plans while there’s time.
Inspired by Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s 1848 short story, White Nights, Two Lovers is set within the Russian Jewish neighbourhood of New York. The film opens with the protagonist, Leonard Kraditor, strutting on a breathtaking bridge in Brooklyn. But the beauty of the opening salvo is cut short with splashing loudness when he jumps into the river in an attempted suicide.
The scene cuts to his return home, where his mother’s reaction to his dripping appearance confirms this isn’t the first time Leonard has attempted to off himself. Already haunted by an unfulfilled relationship from his past, his parents waste no time setting him up with someone, Sandra Cohen. But life has a way of throwing the right person your way at the wrong time, and that’s exactly what complicates the potential of their bond when our despondent protagonist finds himself attracted to his new neighbour, Michelle Rausch.
Many films talk about the clichés of love, but a rare few teach us how to make room for it when you’re at your worst. Two Lovers parks its car in the latter camp. Its emotional intensity is brought to life by the unusual yet captivating pairing of Joaquin Phoenix and Gwyneth Paltrow, mapping their way to each other, doomed to the pitfalls. It’s an old-fashioned love story that remains relevant for realistically portraying the complications of leading with your heart.
Two Lovers has a heart, and yet, the film doesn’t feel cerebrally outlandish. If anything, it’s relatable and thought-provoking. The setbacks to the love story feel way more organic, definitely not forced. It sensitively approaches depression, ensuring a nuanced framework within the romantic drama that’s both hard-hitting and moving.
The Cannes competitor enjoys an 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Although it’s melancholic in its tone, it stands the test of time as one of the most beautifully made romantic films.