It’s not a point in its favour that human nature tends towards pigeonholing. Confronted with a fashion designer turning filmmaker, we may be ready to beat them with the style-over-substance stick. But Tom Ford longtime creative director for Gucci, has brought some intelligence and emotional depth to his feature debut, an adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s trim and classy novel; though fans of the book may find the added melodrama undermines some of its subtler elements.

You’re ultimately left with a glimmer of tenderness

Set in sixties LA against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis, British ex-pat and professor of English George Falconer (Colin Firth) has lost his young lover to a car crash. Putting a loaded gun into his briefcase, we follow him around on the day he has decided to off himself. But with the affections of hot student Kenny (Nicholas Hoult) and the dedication of an old friend, the alcoholic divorcee and sub-socialite Charley (Julianne Moore), George might just find a reason to go on.

Much buzz surrounds Firth’s Oscar nominated performance, and how much you enjoy the film depends on your penchant for his brand of internalised and calculated acting style. It holds well when receiving news of his lover’s death over the phone in close up, but being lugged around all day with him will take its toll on those who struggle to see the charisma. Ford and cinematographer Eduard Grau lay the style on thick; at its best the visuals recall Douglas Sirk in their matching of vivid imagery with turbulent emotions, but at its worst the undeniable magazine-like look of sterility begins to numb. It’s left to Julianne Moore to inject some life, who’s there to represent to George the horrors of being aged and single; in contrast to Firth’s precious turn, she effortlessly and vibrantly conveys the pain and desperation of an isolated life. Despite the often heavy-handed approach, you’re ultimately left with a glimmer of tenderness for life’s fleeting preciousness.

A Single Man Trailer

Playing@Filmhouse from Fri 12 Feb, click for full listings

On general release Fri 12 Feb