A Single Man (2009)

The Plot
The movie is set in 1962 and deals with how professor George Falconer deals with the loss of his partner Jim. They had been gay partners for around 16 yrs.

He has suicidal tendencies and is very frustrated with his students and the general American way of life. He is close to Charley, a woman who is in love with him since long.

George becomes particularly close to one of his students Kenny and they hang out together over drinks and even go for a swim in the beach.

Just when George is about to recover and lead his life happily, fate strikes cruelly.

Hits

• Colin Firth as the depressed professor turns in a splendid performance brimming with emotions. 
• Julianne Moore as Charley dresses quite garishly and is heavily made-up. Nevertheless her acting caliber shines through all the layers of make-up. 
• The movie also has some really good looking male actors just to substantiate the fact that George is gay. Be it Jim, Kenny or the Spanish guy that George meets in a pub. 
• The BG score of this movie is reminiscent of Ilayaraja's style. Lots of pathos violins add to the gloomy mood. 

VERDICT

Perfectly titled and brilliantly performed by Colin Firth. Could have ended positively. 

The King's Speech (2010)

Whats it about:
King George the Vth is about to die. His 2 sons are in line to the throne. The elder son David is a womanizer and he has an affair going on with a twice divorced woman. The king dies, David takes over but he is not able to continue his duties as the king, due to his flirty nature. He steps down. Younger brother Bertie takes over ...
       Bertie is a very bold person but he has a severe stammering problem. Even during his addresses as the Duke of York, he stammers and lets himself down. Many speech therapists try to help but to no avail. Then Lionel Logue enters the scene. He has much experience but no credentials. But still, with his out of the box approach and enthusiasm, Lionel helps Bertie. They bond and collaborate to deliver a beautiful King's Speech in the climax to a war torn nation.

                                                                            

Hits

• A beautiful concept about repairing speech defects
• Colin Firth as Bertie and then King George the VIth, is awesomely natural as the stammerer
• Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue, the speech therapist cum failed actor is lovable to the core.
• Helena Bonham Carter as the proud Duchess of York and the ever supportive wife makes a mark too
• Sweet haunting BGM

VERDICT

A film that moves you with its sheer novelty in concept that, when the king delivers his final speech, we feel happy ...