Matthew Goode and Colin Firth in a scene from "A Single Man" photo: my film
The worlds of fashion and film collided last night at Grauman’s Chinese Theater during the AFI Fest closing night gala where designer and 5 time CFDA Awardee Tom Ford put on his director, producer, and screenwriter hats to show his first feature film entitled, A Single Man, based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood. This drama centers around a day in the life in 1962 of Los Angeles based British college professor George played by the stupendous Colin Firth, 8 months after his lover Jim (Matthew Goode) perishes in a tragic car accident, killing 1 of their beloved dogs and displacing the other. Hopeless George is left still devastated, contemplating what to do next. Julianne Moore, Charly in the movie, plays George’s best friend who still holds a torch for him. These two were once lovers years ago, but Charly is dealing with her own insecurities and won’t let go of her desire to be more than friends with George. Brit actor Nicholas Hoult loses his accent and assumes the role of an American student enamored of George and senses that his professor is in dire need of not living in the past and having a good friend. It is no surprise that Tom Ford’s deft eye for design and detail manifests itself in the brilliant wardrobe used throughout the film. After all, there is almost nothing better than a man in a sharp, tailored suit! And this night wasn’t without Tom’s faithful Hollywood friends including Rita Wilson who chatted with a group of girlfriends in the lobby, Nia Vardalos looking for her seat in the theater, Angela Bassett and Julie Delpy who were seated in the audience, and Ginnifer Goodwin, who also stars in the film, talking to members of the press.
Director Tom Ford and stars Colin Firth and Nicholas Hault at the "A Single Man" after party photo: wire image
Afterward at the after party at The Roosevelt where Little Black Dress Wines, Stella Artois Beer, and Absolut Vodka flowed freely, Cindy Crawford & Rande Gerber, Harry Hamlin & Lisa Rinna, Chloe Sevigny, Harvey Weinstein, B.J. Novak, Rachel Zoe, and Colin Firth mingled among the guests and I made my way to the Audi Sky Lounge where I had a chance to catch up with one of the film’s stars, Nicholas Hault. He mentioned to me that there was “a natural transition from Tom’s fashion empire to directing” and that Tom was “eloquent” while working. I also had a chance to speak with Ford himself who said to me his directorial debut was “more than I ever imagined.” In fact, when Tom introduced his movie to the audience, he remarked, “A good film speaks for itself.” And this one does just that.
The Weinstein Company’s A Single Man opens in a limited release on December 11th, 2009.
Director Tom Ford introducing "A Single Man"
