(I love this poster at right by Iain Claridge)
I am apparently WAY behind in my movie viewing this year having just seen Coco Before Chanel and last night Tom Ford’s debut A Single Man. Blog posts aplenty have been done months ago about these films. But better late than never, right?
A Single Man is so visually stunning you could hit pause at almost any frame in the film and leave it on your TV as media art. No surprise coming from the carefully trained and discerning eye of design God Tom Ford (whose $360 sunglasses infuriatingly snapped in half after only a year, but I digress). The story is dark and depressing but for me it was touching and comforting in a way. It’s a simple concept, really, but so artistically executed you can’t help but be riveted. The set decor is magnificent and worthy of a separate post, but I was most inspired by the fashion which was elegant and bold but oh-so-classic- typical of Mr. Ford. Julianne Moore is a deliciously inebriated, depressed sex pot of a woman who works hard to maintain a frothy and shellacked exterior to mask the broken and hopeless interior. Everything down to her pink cigarettes is glamorous, but as she takes a drag on one you can see her eyes glaze over with memories of times past and lists of regrets. There is something about her dichotomy of emotions that makes her a classic movie icon.
Here are some outfits inspired by Julianne’s character in the film- equal parts 60′s mod, bejeweled glamor and tasteful restraint:
A Single Man by elementsofstyleblog featuring Christian Louboutin shoes
$30 - ninewest.com
More Nine West sandals »
$660 - usa.hermes.com
More Hermes bracelets »
$85 - maxandchloe.com
More earrings »
$68 - fantasyjewelrybox.com
More earrings »
148 GBP - love-worn.com
More Emmanuelle Khanh sunglasses »
LOVE the outfit! Happy weekend, pal! xx
I am loving that chic leopard bangle!!
Happy Friday!
I loved “A Single Man” as well. My fiance and I are avid movie enthusiasts, especially small indie and foreign films. I saw this on the big screen and you are correct … it was stunning visually and truly haunting. Another film you may enjoy is “I Am Love” staring the ever changing Tilda Swinton ( it may still be in some theaters). One critic called it “Gorgeous, utterly ravishing, cinematic wallpaper”. Check it out.
PS Your writing has reached new levels. Kudos to you.
i saw this movie on christmas and sat (stunned) from the opening credits to the dramatic ending mezmerized.
i seems that everything tom touches turns to gold.
i read later that tom had julianne’s dress (the black and white one in the picture above) made by a seamstress that his mother often used when he was young.
great post.
I love this movie and agree completely that every frame is a stylish masterpiece. Is it bad that I loved the angora sweater? The hottie actor wearing it is half the appeal, but still.
I too just saw this film this past weekend. While the content is dark (to say the least), the film itself is stunning. I felt like I was watching advertisements from the September issue of VOGUE magazine in motion. I wish we had seen more of Julianne Moore, but I loved the glamour of everything around her. I can’t wait for Tom Ford to find another great project to bring to the screen.
I also saw Coco a few weeks ago (Single Man is in the queue)… and I loved it. Its beautiful but the story is also so inspiring, how she pulls herself up… and how creative and daring she is! Thank goodness for good films.
Love this post. Have a great weekend!
Teresa (Splendid Sass)
God, this movie’s good.
I haven’t seen the film, but I dying to now! The dresses you selected slay me. Love it.
Tee heee…I’m as behind as you are in our movie-watching. The Hubs and I watched it last weekend and I did my review earlier in the week. It’s here if you want to see it:
http://merciblahblah.blogspot.com/2010/08/stuff-we-would-kiss-on-mouf-single-man.html
Totally agree with you about freezing any frame from the film. It was a visual feast. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous.
merci!
Shannan
Time to get all my Emmanuelle Khanh frames out and get new lenses put in them!
I loved the movie, and to be honest this is one of the best blog posts I’ve read about it. So better late than never.
Ramblings of a Small Town Girl
I also had some Tom Ford sunglasses that snapped in half – almost a year to the day after I bought them! I was extrememly irritated and sent them back to Nordstrom, where I had purchased them. Nordstrom sent me a new pair, which I now religiously keep in the case. Anyway, if you’ve still got the broken pair, you can try sending them back to the retailer where you purchased them…it worked for me!
Great post, by the way!
this movie had such an impact on me!!
it was visually stunning and i couldnt stop thinking about it for days!!!
I think you’ve inspired me to catch up too! Can’t wait— I’m such a sucker for 60s class and inebriated melancholy… ;)
just added to my Netflix – thanks! :)
Makes me feel better than I’m not the only one who hasn’t seen it – now i really can’t wait!! and i have to see i am love also.
Just watched the film this weekend. It was like watching a piece of art. So beautiful.
GLOSSING OVER IT
ooh, i haven’t seen it yet. this is such a great fashion round up. thanks for putting together some inspiration for purchases;)
I recently saw this movie, and LOVE the fashion! Great post!
Saw A Single Man when released, love it, such a beautiful bittersweet film, Tom Ford is so talented, and the wardrobe is so chic.
:)
Actually, this guy made the poster on the right, not Iain Claridge.