Its not a secret that designers are often inspired by what they see on the big screen and its not exactly hush-hush that feature films name-drop designers as if it were part of the script. Breakfast at Tiffany’s has patented the “little black dress” and the Sex and the City movies were essentially a glorified fashion show but rarely has a designer stepped away from the studio and swapped his sketchpad for a director’s chair. Tom Ford basically came out the woodwork with his feature film, A Single Man, in late 2009. The film, which was five years in the making according to Ford, is based on Christopher Isherwood’s novel similarly titled A Single Man, a story about a gay professor living in Southern California in 1962. Although the story line is intriguing enough, Ford did not let his expertise go to waste. The movie is aesthetically stunning with Ford’s eye for detail and impeccable sense of style. Everything from the masterfully crafted suits to the architecture to the hair and make up is overwhelmingly gorgeous. His creative contributions really enhance everything in the film so even if the storyline was shit, it wouldn’t matter to me because everything was so pleasing to the eye. The movie went on to receive rave reviews and various nominations for the work of Colin Firth (the leading man) and Julianne Moore (the supporting actress) proving Tom Ford’s versatility from his days at Gucci to becoming a renowned filmmaker. Bravo.
I just watched this movie the other night, and I keep having these moments where something about it sticks with me. There was something about the direction that made it so I couldn’t keep my eyes away from the imagery on the screen, and knowing nothing about Tom Ford I couldn’t quite figure out what it was about the film that pulled me to it. I think the most interesting projects are often those that are led by someone who doesn’t typically do that type of work, but surrounds themselves with people who do. Firth and Moore never leave us hanging, and Ford makes us never want to close our eyes. Thanks for the post!
It has not come to Japan, but I think I should watch it when it comes!