Two Lovers – Blu-Ray Review

The Film:

Of course, I have to mention this: Two Lovers is the film Joaquin Phoenix made prior to his oddball antics for some rap career. What a shame that is to this film, the director James Gray, and the fine performances this film has. So, please, whatever you think of Phoenix now after the hilarious and painful interview he did with David Letterman, don’t let that sway you from seeing Two Lovers.

Hollywood has always embraced a great love story, or maybe any love story, but many of them are written in big, broad strokes. Two Lovers is written with such nuance, subtleness, and maturity, I feel sorry for those who cannot relate to a film about love like this. After a painful breakup with his fiancée, Leonard moves back home. His parents try to set him up with the daughter of a business associate, and while they do hit it off, he falls for a damaged neighbor played by Gwyneth Paltrow.

Maybe more so a character study than a film about love, Leonard is an interesting case. While an adult, we have scenes where he dodges his parents from knowing his whereabouts, he sneaks out, his father yells at him for goofing off. Has Leonard matured? Or has the heartbreak, returned him into this juvenile behavior? There’s a little off-the-cuff remark about possibly being bipolar. Like a kid, he flocks to the shiny new toy, in this case, Michelle (Paltrow). He’s clearly flirting with her in every scene, and she has this aura of a high-class girl. He’s far from that, possibly just middle class, but they react to each other like positive and negative ions. She’s equally as damaged, a trait he clings to, even though, deep down he knows its trouble.  The other girl is logic; she’s sweet, nice, intelligent, all of those great qualities a decent guy seeks in a woman. Of course, that’s not the attractive option. It never is.

The conclusion is handled perhaps conventionally, but the film deserves it, and so does Leonard. He might have finally gotten over his breakup and insecurities. Maybe even matured like a man his age should have been already, but you can’t blame a broken heart. Two Lovers just might be the best film you missed out on, a film seen less than that two minute YouTube clip of Phoenix on Letterman. The strange case of cinema, sometimes, but if you enjoy great dialogue, good acting, and a mature story, Two Lovers is a hidden gem you’ll be glad you unearthed.

The Blu Ray:

Audio/Video: The DTS mix is solid, when thinking about we’re watching a talky-drama. The bass comes alive during the club scene, and there are some environmental elements in the surround speakers, making the drama sound natural and unforced. The video is good, but not aw-inspiring. It clearly is detailed and handles the darker, Earth colors used in the cinematography well, so it is fine here in high def.

Commentary: James Gray delivers a great track, filled with wit and good stories about the film. It is a pleasant discussion to hear that is consistent and informative. Wait till you hear his Joaquin Phoenix impressionism.

Behind-the-Scenes: Typical EPK junk with interviews from Gray and the cast.

HDNet: A Look at Two Lovers: More of the same, from the previous feature, feeling like it’s all redundant. Good thing we have the commentary!

Deleted Scenes are here, running nine minutes with Gray’s input on why they were deleted. There are some interesting scenes here. Photo Gallery and Trailers round out the bonus material.

Conclusion: A smart drama about love and people, Two Lovers is a must see. The Magnolia Blu Ray is decent too.

The Film: Rating:

The Blu Ray: Rating: