Designer Tom Ford's directorial debut "A Single Man" is visually stunning and sees British actor Colin Firth give one of his finest performances. So fine, in fact, that last weekend Firth won a first 'Best Actor' BAFTA award. In an amusing acceptance speech, Firth admitted that he'd  written an email to Ford, rejecting the role, but that a fridge repair man rang his door bell causing him to forget to press 'send'.

Based on the 1964 novel by Christopher Isherwood, the film follows a single day in the life of George Falconer (played by Colin Firth), a British college professor, who cannot get over the death, in a car accident, of his long time partner, Jim (played by English actor Matthew Goode). George's life has become mechanical and joyless and his only confidant seems to be Charley (played by Julianne Moore), a fellow English expat and semi-alcoholic divorcee who is also struggling to find meaning to her life.

The movie takes place in LA, 1962, at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and moves back and forth between the painful present, shot in faded colors and the idyllic past shot in black and white or full color. The film is poetic and stylish. Ford pays particular attention to art direction, including authentic 60s clothing, hairstyles and furnishings. Not surprising for someone who was creative director of Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent before starting his own label.

"A Single Man" has its flaws. Every single person in the movie is strikingly beautiful. As if it's ..er... a fashion shoot! Ford has been accused of "over-designing" and it's true that the story sometimes takes second place to the look of the film.  However, as 'A Single Man' unfolds at a leisurely pace, it has a rare, dreamlike quality.

Firth's performance is outstanding. Throughout the movie, he plays George as the man who cannot grieve openly. These are still closeted times and George has been barred from Jim's funeral by the deceased's family. As we follow him on what may be the last day of his life (he is contemplating suicide), he is withdrawn, pained, depressed but also funny, witty and cynical.

Firth deserved his Best Actor BAFTA Award. Now he's a dark horse for an Oscar. It's surprising, though, that the movie only managed one nomination as there is real depth to its exploration of grief and lost love.

The FR2DAY Movie Guide for February February's film releases manage to keep pace with an exceptional January. There's plenty on offer and the tills will be ringing at the box office! READ MORE

Rupert Everett - No Lead Roles For Gay Actors British thespian Rupert Everett has warned closeted gay actors that ‘coming out' can reduce their chances of landing lead film roles. READ MORE

Britain's Got Talent by Karen Hockney Sometimes being a Brit is the coolest thing on the planet. READ MORE