Adapting Christopher Isherwood’s novel of the same name that helped define the gay liberation movement, Tom Ford — yes, that Tom Ford —writes and directs his debut movie about George Falconer (Colin Firth), a college professor in Los Angeles circa 1962, who is mourning the tragic death of his lover, Jim (Matthew Goode.) As George’s day-in-the-life includes his planned death – he’s getting his affairs in order so that he can commit suicide – it’s also full of strange temptations. One of those is a long-ago sweetheart, Charley (Julianne Moore), who drunkenly and playfully berates him for never ending up with her and finding true love. Their exchange over a dinner brings out the two actors’ (Firth/Moore) best performances in years. Fashion designer Tom Ford directs with astounding stylish precision, as though setting up an advertisement for a refreshing spring line in “Vanity Fair.” Everything is so impeccably “Mad Men” you wonder at what point the direction will derail and the film will turn into a fashion catalogue. But it never does. And it’s exactly that ability to balance story, character, and design that makes this a top pick of the year. As we move into an award season that will surely bring him a host of Best Actor nods, Colin Firth should plan on wearing nothing but Tom Ford. This movie proves it’s a perfect fit. Four tiaras
