Two Lovers

Plot

A Brooklyn-set romantic drama about a bachelor torn between the family friend his parents wish he would marry and his beautiful but volatile new neighbor.

Release Year: 2008

Rating: 7.1/10 (15,761 voted)

Critic's Score: 74/100

Director:
James Gray

Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw

Storyline
Leonard Kraditor is a burned-out case, living with his immigrant parents after his fiancée left him, helping out at their Brooklyn dry cleaners, taking photographs, at loose ends, suicidal. In quick succession, he meets two women: Sandra, the daughter of his parents' business associates, frank, direct, sensual, Jewish like Leonard; and, his neighbor Michelle, mercurial, rootless, fun, blond, unattainable. Michelle is in love with a married man and cries on Leonard's shoulder; Sandra wants to save him. Is Leonard willing to risk losing Sandra's fidelity for the moments Michelle's moods swing toward him? Can this end well?

Writers: James Gray, Ric Menello

Cast:

Joaquin Phoenix
–

Leonard Kraditor

Anne Joyce
–

Leonard's Ex-Fiancee

Elliot Villar
–

Bystander

Craig Walker
–

Bystander #2

Carmen M. Herlihy
–

Lady with Baby Carriage

Donald John Hewitt
–

Another Bystander

(as Don Hewitt Jr.)

Christian Albrizio
–

Some Kid

Isabella Rossellini
–

Ruth Kraditor

Moni Moshonov
–

Reuben Kraditor

Julie Budd
–

Carol Cohen

Bob Ari
–

Michael Cohen

Iain J. Bopp
–

David Cohen

Vinessa Shaw
–

Sandra Cohen

Gwyneth Paltrow
–

Michelle Rausch

Samantha Ivers
–

Stephanie

Taglines:
Sometimes we leave everything to find ourselves.

Details

Official Website:
Official site [uk] |
Official site [United States] |

Release Date: 19 November 2008

Filming Locations: Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $12,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: $117,591
(USA)
(15 February 2009)
(7 Screens)

Gross: $3,148,482
(USA)
(28 June 2009)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

The role of Michelle was written with Gwyneth Paltrow in mind.

Goofs:

Continuity:
After Leonard drops his suitcase out the window it isn't there when he goes downstairs to meet up with Michelle.

User Review

The Flight Of Joaquin Phoenix

Rating: 8/10


Perhaps, the most startling aspect of "Two Lovers" is Joaquin Phoenix's
performance. Superb. I haven't really liked any of the James Gray's
films, until now that is. There is something profoundly moving and
profoundly truthful here and I'm sure it has to do with Phoenix's
portrayal. Gwynneth Paltrow is wonderful as the girl walking an
emotional tightrope. And Vinessa Shaw is a real find. I was also moved
by Isabella Rossellini as Joaquin's mother! Beautiful and intense but
unlike many of her contemporaries not "cosmetic" A real extraordinary
face. In fact she looks more like her mother Ingrid Bergman now than
she ever did. So, a smart, romantic "dramedy" with wonderful
performances. When was the last time I was able to say that? Go see it
and tell me if you think I'm exaggerating at all.