Two Lovers

James Gray's previous films have never quite worked as thrillers. They should have been made in the 70s, where their low-key, downbeat examination of male relationships would have felt right at home. This time, though, the focus shifts away from the criminal milieu, and widens to include two important female characters. At last the director's style actually fits the subject. Leonard is suicidal, temporarily living with his concerned parents (who are trying to set him up with a nice Jewish girl) and besotted with the new neighbour. One girl wants to look after him, the other clearly needs looking after herself. Leonard flits between them, and his ultimate choice is almost forced upon him by circumstances. In one sense he's made progress: he starts the film trying to drown himself but by the end his new attempt barely gets his feet wet. And yet the expression on his face at the end isn't of happiness at being with the woman he loves. It's more like that of a trapped animal.