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This is a beautiful song.

A Simple Man

Tom Ford personifies style. In everything the man creates the sheer class with which he works is really quite astounding. A perfectionist to the point of obsession, the man makes a beautiful picture.

From the very beginning, this film is aesthetically gorgeous. The sixties setting is immaculate and everything from set to costumes to lighting is really something else. The house used in the film was designed in 1948 by John Lautner, the noted architect who once worked for Frank Lloyd Wright.

But, Tom Ford is obviously not one to rest on his laurels and release just a stunning looking picture. Instead, he picked a story by Christopher Isherwood and actually made an extremely strong film.

Firth plays the title character. He is wonderful in the role. His character is so haunted and sad it is heartbreaking to watch. Yet Firth doesn't just play the grieving role. He manages to create a fully rounded character. While reliving past memories, a different man is apparent. A happy, funny, loving and satisfied man was who he once was and Firth manages to hold on to all sides of this man with great truthfulness.

Julianne Moore is George's neighbor Charley. A British woman living alone in a large house which she never leaves and where she spends her days waiting for the evening to come. She is alone but for George, and wishes that they could have been more than best friends. A funny, sad character, she is likable yet pitiable at the same time.

The cast also includes Nicholas Hoult as the young student Kenny, who shows more than a teacher/student  interest in George. Kenny seems to provide George with the possibility of future happiness.

Then there is Matthew Goode who plays Jim, the love of George's life. They spent fifteen years together before a terrible car accident took Jim's life and threw George into the whirlwind of turmoil that he finds himself unable to escape from.

It is a moving story. A man coming to terms with the death of his most treasured loved one. Alone in L.A, far from England and in a time when to be gay is unheard of. He is refused permission to attend the funeral of his life partner, a sharp blow adding to the horrendous news.  Life is a fog for George now and all he has to keep him going are his memories of happier times with someone who is now passed away. Living seems futile.

Ford managed to create a hauntingly special film. It is difficult to critique a piece of work that is so unique. The cinematography by Eduard Grau is amazing, as is the editing by Joan Sobel. There are moments of slow motion and flashbacks that are so effective it is incredible. Also, the fact that the acting is so strong throughout really gelled the movie together. It is easy to believe in the present story and not get distracted  by the flashbacks, when in both the present and the past the emotions are so honest and real.

George's heartbreak and loneliness is palpable and heart wrenching. Besides "The King's Speech" this is most certainly Firth's strongest performance to date. A film set in one day of one man's life. It is about love and loss and how we do or do not survive the pain.

Oh a yellow suit

Kate Bosworth Editorial for StyleCaster

Stylist: Cher Coulter

Photography: David Mushegain

I saw these pictures on Oracle Fox blog and I had to post them. I love the yellow suit and the white fringed outfit in particular. Amazing.

Karen Elson "The Ghost Who Walks"

100 Years From Now

I love this. Elson has found her place in music and it's excellent. A folksy otherworldly type of music it is the America that I want to visit. My favourite song thus far is "100 Years From Now". It has an old time air about it  and feels like it could be heard in some half empty run down vaudeville bar  full of all sorts of  characters who live on the fringe of life.


"The Ghost Who Walks", the title track is also gorgeous. It makes me think more of dusty vast land, drinking whiskey on a porch, cowboys, and just a world so far from the daily life in wet Ireland!

In Trouble With The Lord

                                                      

Melancholia by Lars Von Trier

I cannot wait to see this film. It's released in Ireland on September 30th.

It appears to be a very successful and important come back for Kirsten Dunst, who in recent years has been noticeably absent from movies; in particular good movies. It also has Charlotte Gainsbourg, who I would watch in anything.

Other members of the cast include Keifer Sutherland, Alex Skarsgard, Stellan Skarsgard, Charlotte Rampling and John Hurt.

It's bound to be an Oscar contender, surely at least for Dunst who has been receiving rave reviews and won Best Actress for "Melancholia" at Cannes this year.

CocoRosie

Two songstresses and artists who also happen to be sisters came together to make music and this is what they created.

This song "Lemonade" is from their fourth full studio album "Grey Oceans", which was released in 2010.  It is stunningly beautiful.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home

Cause when you need a song that will make you smile, just look and listen to this.