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Two Lovers
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Two Lovers

2009
Romance
Drama
1h 50m
A Brooklyn-set romantic drama about a bachelor (Phoenix) torn between the family friend his parents wish he would marry (Shaw) and his beautiful but volatile new neighbor (Paltrow).
Directed by:
James Gray James Gray
Written by:
James Gray James Gray Ric Menello
+1 more
Starring:
Gwyneth Paltrow Gwyneth Paltrow Elias Koteas Elias Koteas Isabella Rossellini Isabella Rossellini Joaquin Phoenix Joaquin Phoenix Vinessa Shaw Vinessa Shaw Moni Moshonov Moni Moshonov John Ortiz John Ortiz Bob Ari
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Genres:
Romance, Drama
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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Two Lovers

2009
Romance
Drama
1h 50m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 59.87% from 1079 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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theficionadotheficionado
Rated 10 Apr 2010
88
87th
Two Lovers captures the dueling, irreconcilable tension between the intrinsically human desires for stability and self-destruction even as it works as a remarkably subtle rumination of the sexual politics of ethnic assimilation. Assured, beautiful, and finally devastating.
Rated 10 Apr 2010
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 08 Mar 2009
8
82nd
If this is Phoenix's last role it sure was a good one. His character and performance were awesome. The scene where he is revealing his love to Paltrow is pretty awkward though but at least there was a nice nipple reveal from her. Thanks, Gwyneth.
Rated 08 Mar 2009
vertiggoVertiggo
Rated 29 Sep 2009
80
63rd
Phoenix kissing Paltrow. That scene spoiled the movie... I mean, the whole scene, until she kicks his ass... so embarrassing... I found myself really bored that moment, but the rest is fine...
Rated 29 Sep 2009
cinematicespCinematicESP
Rated 19 Jan 2009
69
17th
This movie makes me wish Joaquin Phoenix were still in the business. I might be in a minority that loved his character, and if it turns out to be a weak year, I'd even recommend his memorable performance to the Academy.
Rated 19 Jan 2009
joojooJooJoo
Rated 16 Dec 2009
6
95th
Blending modern characters, extremely well-written/acted, with an old-fashioned premise to tremendous results. A few moments were on shaky ground but this all felt very real.
Rated 16 Dec 2009
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 01 Jan 2010
9
90th
I was impressed by the performances and genuineness of the story. We do not hold back when unraveling our protagonist's inner consciousness and motivations yet we take pleasure in identifying with them, evidence of some great writing. Without a doubt, an improvement over Gray's last effort and a film that will require some word of mouth to find its way on your screen.
Rated 01 Jan 2010
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 20 Jun 2010
88
78th
This film takes a cliche subject--a man torn between the good-for-him girl his parents want him to marry and the bad-for-him girl he can't get out of his head--and creates from it something exceptional and moving. Part of this comes from the low-key direction and screenplay, but the bulk of the credit goes to Phoenix who portrays a young man so sensitive and so subtly damaged that we are certain he will not survive making the wrong choice and we like him enough that his fate matters to us.
Rated 20 Jun 2010
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 04 Aug 2009
55
25th
The movie has two things going for it: Joaquin Phoenix and Gwyneth Paltrow. The two actors are great here. The problem is that I didn't like either of their characters, especially Joaquin's. I wasn't sure how to feel about him, but I know I didn't empathize or sympathize with him, and that was the movie's downfall for me. The ending felt a tad pathetic and has this cold air about it. I wanted to shake someone and shout "These two characters need therapy, not marriage!"
Rated 04 Aug 2009
tathieltathiel
Rated 20 Aug 2009
76
48th
A story that takes its time... nice but not something I would expect Phoenix to end his career with...
Rated 20 Aug 2009
nothingsgoodNothingsGood
Rated 17 Jul 2011
60
55th
Two Lovers explores the dualistic nature of lusting the person who's bad for you and loving the person who isn't, played wonderfully by its three stars but never fully realized by its screenplay or direction.
Rated 17 Jul 2011
spunkieSpunkie
Rated 05 Feb 2010
70
84th
Very engaging. Phoenix is incredible in these kind of roles, he enhances an already compelling character study. The movie lacks a real trigger, -got it?- dialogues and a closure. Needless to say these seemingly diversions from mainstream all works for a haunting effect.
Rated 05 Feb 2010
lisa_iilisa-
Rated 24 May 2014
6
83rd
subtle and brooding. lovely photography that involves teal and not orange. fantastic performance from phoenix, which now seems to be something i expect. a very involving, tense finale too. nonetheless, there is a tendency for it to be a bit SERIOUS ROMANCE IN NEW YORK.
Rated 24 May 2014
kasperlKasperL
Rated 26 Feb 2010
60
50th
Joaquin Phoenix is good at playing goofy but he uses the mumbling as a crutch and that soon became tiresome. Many times I didn't understand a word. The story, bringing nothing new, rings true. And any movie - good or (as is unfortunately often the case) not - with the great Elias Koteas AKA "The Canadian Who Transformed Into Robert De Niro" is okay with me.
Rated 26 Feb 2010
mottMott
Rated 14 Apr 2009
86
60th
Falls into melodramatic cliches on occasion, but great performances and appropriately subdued direction help overcome any flaws it might have.
Rated 14 Apr 2009
icarusIcarus
Rated 04 Jul 2009
89
87th
A thoughtful, closely observed, and well-written movie for adults. Gray's camerawork serves to take in the scenes completely, with the camera often moving in toward the actors or across a scene, allowing the actors to act rather than cut excessively. The writing develops each of the three leads, the ladies a bit less than the man, but enough for them to be full-blooded characters. Gray sets up the narrative well, refuses to give us easy answers and doesn't avoid meaningful ambiguity-all pluses.
Rated 04 Jul 2009
karamazovkaramazov.
Rated 25 Jul 2014
70
90th
Excellent film, which, although [beautifully] understated, is also very impressive in that it captures something of the porousness of that border btwn the ecstatic and absolute paranoia and despair, ubiquitous to Dosty's work. Interestingly the source material is one of the few of his relatively more popular stories that I've not gotten my hands on, so I could kind of inductively reckon out how he might've written parts originally. [shout-out to user AFlickering for the rec., btw-- cheers!].
Rated 25 Jul 2014
weirdyodaweirdyoda
Rated 16 Jan 2009
65
15th
Joaquin Phoenix makes a great bipolar retard. Quality Paltrow nipple reveal.
Rated 16 Jan 2009
tsvetetsvete
Rated 14 Mar 2020
81
18th
1
Rated 14 Mar 2020
sellissellis
Rated 20 Jan 2024
80
59th
Tracing words on her arm as she falls asleep feels like it belongs in an early Carax film. A all time great moment.
Rated 20 Jan 2024
sirrobbieSirRobbie
Rated 15 Jan 2013
70
53rd
Joaquin Phoenix is one of the best actors working today.
Rated 15 Jan 2013
peyrinpeyrin
Rated 09 Dec 2019
55
24th
Joaquin's slightly off-kilter awkward performance is one of the more accurate depictions of romance I've seen in awhile.
Rated 09 Dec 2019
rufamRufam
Rated 11 Mar 2014
80
85th
A very well put-together and realistic romantic drama. The characters feel grounded in reality and so do their dilemmas, concerns and choices -resulting in a high level of emotional investment. The protagonistic trio is excellent (I found Platrow, in particular, to be surprisingly nuanced) and, even if the script occasionally resorts to dramatic opaqueness, the subdued melancholy of the finale seals the film's status as a minor classic for me.
Rated 11 Mar 2014
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 07 Mar 2013
8
80th
This deceptively ordinary movie unravels into something special towards the end.
Rated 07 Mar 2013
teftef
Rated 06 Jul 2009
25
4th
Phoenix's character is just too damn unlikeable. Couldn't watch all the way through.
Rated 06 Jul 2009
filmfreak88filmfreak88
Rated 16 Feb 2010
80
78th
Its premise isn't exactly original but the fluid execution, the memorable performances, and the authenticity of the characters elevate this film into a superb and compelling drama.
Rated 16 Feb 2010
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 31 Jul 2011
88
90th
It's tempting to compare this to White Nights, which it can't live up to, of which it's a very loose adaptation. It keeps the emotional core of the characters but the different situations change which aspects are emphasized. Without the baggage, though, it's a wonderful film with some very strong performances and scenes that really resonate. The performances really capture the little moments with glances and subtle reactions.
Rated 31 Jul 2011
sebbysebby
Rated 05 May 2009
75
83rd
I don't think wacky Joaquin has ever been better. Went out on top, he did!
Rated 05 May 2009
muutanetmuutanet
Rated 04 Mar 2011
77
77th
A fine acting. Even Paltrow was acceptable. The shine of the story was of course the lead, Joaquin Phoenix. The story was pretty common, but the way they did it, I enjoyed.
Rated 04 Mar 2011
nepetaNepeta
Rated 12 Mar 2013
85
80th
The ending sold me. The story is resolved in a very human, mature manner where you completely buy everyone's choices even if they aren't for the best. In fact all the emotions involved in this movie are deeply complex and so true to real life - we end up rooting for Leonard and Michelle to be together even though the relationship would be highly destructive whilst the ending leaves you wondering quite what you should be feeling. The film has a great emotional intelligence and I loved it.
Rated 12 Mar 2013
closedmouthclosedmouth
Rated 21 Aug 2015
80
68th
I think this grounded milieu suits Gray more than the organised crime stuff, if only for the fact that it doesn't allow him to turn it into an action movie in the third act. Though there is a surprising amount of tension in this, mostly down to the beautiful camera and exquisitely creepy sound design. My only complaint is that we're supposed to believe Vinessa Shaw is the frumpy girl starved for male attention compared to Paltrow's hot trainwreck. They both give great performances, but come on.
Rated 21 Aug 2015
selcukburcakselcukburcak
Rated 01 Feb 2023
77
72nd
kader bekir'in de dediği gibi: "benim içimde bi sıkıntı. işi anladım tabi, zagor'u ziyarete gidiyor. bi tuhaf oldum, piçi de kıskandım. uzatmayalım, çaresiz evlendik ötekiyle."
Rated 01 Feb 2023
robbytrobbyt
Rated 05 Jan 2024
96
94th
Way better than the synopsis would make you think.
Rated 05 Jan 2024
perrystroikaPerryStroika
Rated 24 Aug 2014
65
67th
Good acting, nice cinematography, and a wonderfully specific sense of place. The film maker clearly understands the Brighton Beach Russian Jewish community in a very intimate way. It's an interesting question, whether or not to consider the ending happy.
Rated 24 Aug 2014
djrossdjross
Rated 12 Apr 2010
60
62nd
Understated and somewhat downbeat. Very pleasingly shot with beautiful colors. Enjoyably calm soundtrack that suits the mood of the film. The characterisations and dialogue are superior, although nothing departs too far from convention. A couple of missteps, perhaps, but certainly a fair attempt at a moderately sophisticated romantic drama, which is something quite rare in the twenty-first century.
Rated 12 Apr 2010
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 22 Oct 2009
88
63rd
like watching a runaway train heading for a brick wall....Recommended.
Rated 22 Oct 2009
burkayadaligburkayadalig
Rated 16 Mar 2014
79
62nd
as expected Joaquin Phoenix is giving another Oscar deserving performance...
Rated 16 Mar 2014
jeffvjeff_v
Rated 16 Feb 2010
87
97th
James Gray finally puts it all together in this drama about a mentally unhealthy man who courts a potentially disastrous relationship. His movies tread a dangerous ground; so serious and anguished, ill-fitting in today's culture of cool irony. He requires superior acting to pull it off, and he gets it here from Joaquin Phoenix, Vinessa Shaw and Gwyneth Paltrow. The result is wrenching, yet uplifting.
Rated 16 Feb 2010
simsorutsimsorut
Rated 03 May 2020
77
58th
I can bring you a real straw if you'd like.
Rated 03 May 2020
aflickeringAFlickering
Rated 16 Jul 2013
8
98th
Joaquin Phoenix can fire out clichés like "I love you so much" or "you're so beautiful" and there's this tone of fumbling desperation in his voice that gives the impression that he's desperate to say something more profound but his feelings are beyond the scope of language...
Rated 16 Jul 2013
stflyst_fly
Rated 13 May 2009
35
35th
Average. An emotionally dependant creep thinks he can choose between 2 women. One's the loving, caring daughter of family friends, other's his fragile neighbour, the mistress of an older man. Its not a bad movie, just that the lead man is very hard to relate to, and the ending is just plain awful. Not worth the time.
Rated 13 May 2009
roujinroujin
Rated 28 Feb 2009
70
78th
FUCK
Rated 28 Feb 2009
moushmoush
Rated 03 Mar 2009
61
34th
/wrists
Rated 03 Mar 2009
miss_viennaMiss Vienna
Rated 19 Aug 2022
80
31st
Ein wunderbar tragisch emotionaler, trauriger Film über die gnadenlose Liebe, die so oft einen Menschen mehr leiden lässt als einen anderen! Die Ungleichheiten der Liebe, die Handlungen nach sich ziehen kann oder lässt, die anderen immens weh tun. Joaquin Phoenix spielt gefühlvoll den verzweifelten, depressiven Liebenden, dessen starke, große Liebe nicht genügt, um die eine Frau, die selbst Achterbahnen an Gefühlen durchlebt, nach der er sich verzehrt, für sich zu gewinnen. Wer liebt, Leidet...
Rated 19 Aug 2022
lalyndonlalyndon
Rated 29 Jan 2023
40
14th
sandra deserved better.
Rated 29 Jan 2023
jokerxggJokerXgg
Rated 25 Dec 2009
90
97th
Joaquin's rapping makes this movie
Rated 25 Dec 2009
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 14 Apr 2013
100
99th
It's passionate in a way that most romances refuse to be -- focused on gestures and spaces where the camera enters with an arresting tenderness. This bipolar lover tried to kill himself in the past, lost his girl because of her parents, and now lives with his parents, trying to move on with what he's got. In a way, Gray's romance feels like a tale about a teen having his heart broken with one woman and his heart restored by another. Such an immense -- and yet mundane -- film about love.
Rated 14 Apr 2013
spikycactusSpikyCactus
Rated 19 Apr 2020
70
46th
Top badass moment? The end reminded me of how satisfying it is to have a decent, bus-based alternative in mind when your train gets cancelled. This film takes ages to get anywhere, yet it's very watchable. Leonard isn’t especially likable either, but I wanted him to do well. But why on earth did those two attractive women actually want him so much? Also, I hate seeing facets of myself in very flawed characters, I’d much rather see some in Jean-Luc Picard. No cats, chainsaws or decapitations.
Rated 19 Apr 2020
marnauMarnau
Rated 24 Jul 2011
80
68th
24 Juliol 2011 - He pensat durant la pel·lícula en com mantenir l'interès en l'acció. En cap moment se m'ha fet avorrida. Crec que també he pensat que no sabria què dir-ne si volgués parlar-ne. Ús particular de la música. Manera poc convencional (potser poc ortodoxa) de triar plans i moviments. De nou, com a La Pianiste, m'ha transmès una idea de molts elements fora de control, crec.
Rated 24 Jul 2011
hulothulot
Rated 01 Apr 2013
100
96th
watched: 2013, 2017
Rated 01 Apr 2013
sharpcoolsharpcool
Rated 23 Apr 2015
84
87th
Joaquin Phoenix is great in this. The story is nothing special but it's a surprisingly good movie mainly because of him.
Rated 23 Apr 2015
misterlizardmisterlizard
Rated 29 Oct 2013
80
86th
A downbeat but quite touching romance with excellent performances from the always-great Phoenix and the often-patchy Paltrow, especially Phoenix's bipolar character. It's a shame the film didn't emphasize his condition a bit more but that's a minor flaw. It's a touching and emotionally intelligent film, directed with care. Between the subdued soundtrack and the cinematography, winter in NYC has never looked so melancholy.
Rated 29 Oct 2013
cinegeekdecinegeek.de
Rated 16 May 2016
80
55th
(...)Die meisten von uns würden an einem bestimmten (unreifen) Punkt unseres Lebens auch Michelle vergöttern: Sie ist schön und charmant mit einem gewinnendem Lächeln. Sie hat aber keine innere Ruhe. Leonard glaubt, über einige entscheidenden Punkte hinweg sehen zu können: Michelle hat einen älteren Liebhaber und nimmt Drogen. Vermutlich sieht Leonard sich selbst als die Lösung ihrer Probleme. Es gibt aber ein Verständnisproblem seinerseits: Er verwechselt, dass sie ihn braucht damit, d
Rated 16 May 2016
chemical404chemical404
Rated 05 May 2009
59
55th
NY love stories are specialty of Woody Allen. James Gray tries a bit darker approach to the classic romantic drama story, but the film lacks the energy for it to stand out. Leonard, acted by Phoenix, is interesting and well developed, but the the two female characters looks just like a two completely different sides of the same person. A welcome attempt, but Allen is still safe on his throne.
Rated 05 May 2009
tinysausagetinysausage
Rated 18 Dec 2010
75
63rd
Dark, wintry locale and cinematography give this a mournful air, and with the devastating ending, reminded me of a Polish film.
Rated 18 Dec 2010
deaddillydeaddilly
Rated 04 Aug 2018
55
19th
Certainly one of Phoenix' weaker roles, as the mumble-mouthed Leornard is entirely too creepy to be in either of these relationships.
Rated 04 Aug 2018
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 01 Nov 2010
35
90th
"The buried themes in James Gray's fourth film, Two Lovers, slowly emerge from its accumulation of quotidian, seemingly small details." - Dan Callahan
Rated 01 Nov 2010
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 15 Dec 2015
68
24th
The acting is good in this film. The lead actors all do a good job with their characters. The ending of the film is unsatisfying and the last third of the film is not as good as the first two thirds of the film. Overall I can not recommend this one.
Rated 15 Dec 2015
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 01 May 2013
70
70th
An unstable man (Joaquin Phoenix) has a relationship with a gorgeous normal girl (Vinessa Shaw) who is perfect for him, but desperately pines for a beautiful fragile blonde mess (Gwyneth Paltrow) who is in love with an older married man. He has some charm, but at times seemed a bit slow. This movie tries to convey a deep sense of emotional turmoil, but it is only marginally successful. Mostly good performances, given the material
Rated 01 May 2013
nunstranglernunstrangler
Rated 16 May 2009
71
60th
Gray, known for hard-edged, tough-guy themes, keeps things dark but deeply sensitive in this effectively moody character study of love, loss and the struggle between. Sadly this excellent second collaboration between writer/director Gray and Phoenix (The Yards) could be the last if Phoenix follows through on his claim of trading acting for, a-hem, rapping.
Rated 16 May 2009
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 26 Nov 2009
78
88th
It's rare to see a good American drama, especially in the 00's. James Gray pulls off an unassuming, subtle and yet effective love story. NYC is shown here with refreshing straightforwardness, without glitz, and you really get a taste of the lifestyle. Good performances from Paltrow and Phoenix in what he proclaimed was his last acting role. Cheeky casting Moni Moshonov to play a toned down version of his role in the Israeli movie Late Marriage, to which Two Lovers is clearly indebted.
Rated 26 Nov 2009
hehejajahehejaja
Rated 18 Feb 2010
85
84th
This is so good, with scenes forseeing a master (the first scene on the roof, for instance). Again, Gray use shadows to create moods and takes his characters serious, depicting them with great care and dignity. This film is so fucking measured.
Rated 18 Feb 2010
larmorlarmor
Rated 08 Oct 2021
41
29th
Looks a lot like a slow paced teenage romcom. Replace the 3 main characters with 20-somethings and I'm not sure exactly what we're left with to fawn over.
Rated 08 Oct 2021
davidkahaneDavidKahane
Rated 29 Dec 2010
68
46th
Gray's approach is firm and sharp, heightening the anxiety of the situations he presents without every resorting to melodrama. Phoenix is quite good as a man who's trained himself to approach the world with great care, but can't help letting himself get caught up in the notion of grabbing reckless freedom. Eventually, Gray loses his own grip on the story, and most of the last act feels both false and predictable. The moody character study still works, but the plot falls apart around it.
Rated 29 Dec 2010

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