Two Lovers

What is this about Joachin Phoenix giving up acting forever? It must not happen. He plays the part of Leonard, a bi polar man. The film opens as we see him trying to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. He is saved and goes home as nonchalant as if nothing happened.

His father runs a dry cleaning establishment and his mother is loving and kind. Leonard helps his father in the business but also pursues his hobby of photography.

The Cohen family comes for a visit hoping to discuss a business merger. The other reason is to introduce their beautiful daughter, Sandra, to Leonard. Sandra is immediately smitten with Leonard. It looks as if the relationship is going to take off.

The problem arises when Leonard notices a beautiful woman from his bedroom window. His window faces her room. Michelle, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, is having a relationship with a married man. She enjoys Leonard as a friend. She actually uses him to help her whenever she has a problem. Her married boyfriend is not always available and poor Leonard gets the job of comforting her and taking her to the hospital when she is ill. Leonard is sensitive and loving. Perhaps too loving.

He falls for Michelle even though Sandra is waiting for him.

Sandra is kind ands sweet and certainly more stable than Michelle. She is also forgiving. Sandra is erratic in her behavior.

Which one does he end up with? I guess you will have to see the film. I must say I don’t think he would really be a good catch for anyone. He is unsettled in business. He is bi-polar and needs his pills.

Joachim Phoenix is an excellent actor. I felt his pain and could believe that this situation could really happen.

We just saw it in real life at the end of the last Bachelor Program. The bachelor had two choose from the last two bachelorettes. He chose one and promised her the moon. Many months later he decided he had made a mistake and on public television told her he had made a mistake. He wanted to have another chance with the runner up. It will be interesting to see how that little tale works itself out. We probably will never know.