Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Moni Moshonov, Isabella Rossellini ...( see more  see more... ) , Bob Ari , Julie Budd , Elias Koteas , John Ortiz

A Brooklyn-set romantic drama about a bachelor (Phoenix) torn between the family friend his parents wish he would marry and his beautiful but volatile new neighbor.

Flixster Users

53% liked it

49,545 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

145 critics

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: James Gray

Release Date: May 19, 2008

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DVD Release Date: June 30, 2009

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Stats: 1,833 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,833)


  • December 29, 2009
    Two Lovers is A Brooklyn-set romantic drama about a bachelor (Phoenix) torn between the family friend his parents wish he would marry and his beautiful but volatile new neighbor. It is a movie about how love sometimes make you feel miserable. The movie is really interesting, you ...( read more)can feel the tension and the anxiety from the character performed by Joaquin Phoenix. It follows a slow pace rhythm but it never falls into boredom. The locations are really good because they shew you a New York that not everybody knows. The cast is wonderful Joaquin Phoenix is excellent, he delivers a very credible performance, Gwyneth Paltrow is awesome, this role fits her really good, Isabella Rosellini as Phoenix mother is delightful and Vinessa Shaw as Sandra is also great. In conclusion, Two Lovers is a movie worthy of a chance to see.
  • October 10, 2009
    Lately most movies have bored me to tears, an although this idea's been done many times before, it effectively captured my interest. Great characters, and even though Joaquin's character is kinda crappy, you really just want the best things for him and to have it all work out.
  • August 14, 2009
    Hardly original but sleek and engaging romantic drama. I found the New York jewish setting tiresome but Phoenix repays Gray's fascination with him with another solid performance. Some of the plot points seemed unbelievable and the ending in particular felt contrived.
  • August 13, 2009
    More headliners for Shaw please.
  • August 4, 2009
    Phoenix was excellent, but that's about it
  • February 5, 2010
    Romanesque, elegant, ambivalent et presque boulversant.
  • February 2, 2010
    should see again but don't really want to, really liked the roof scene (just 4 the brick walls didn't even remember they had sex up there until 2nd time)
  • January 31, 2010
    The acting and everything was good. Its just the story that kinda bothered me. It had a "happy" ending but I didnt really buy it. The ending's pretty messed up but thats just my opinion. I'd still recommend it to Phoenix or Paltrow fans. I mean, the movie was pretty okay.
  • January 28, 2010
    Intriguing, atmospheric romantic drama with good, low-key performances.
  • January 24, 2010
    I like this movie a lot! Joaquin Phoenix was great without having to even say much. I liked the way it ended too. Definately a must-see.

Critic Reviews


March 27, 2009
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times

But good acting transcends motivational lesions. Before Phoenix, especially, and his raw, real, fumbling neediness we simply say "Yes, we believe". full review

February 27, 2009
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

The film is all about creating a mood, and it hangs over you for days. full review

February 27, 2009
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

[A] compact, compassionate portrait of a man struggling to define himself and his own understanding of happiness. full review

February 26, 2009
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A film of unusual perception, played at perfect pitch by Phoenix, Shaw, Paltrow and the other actors. It is calm and mature. It understands these characters. It doesn't juggle them for melodrama, but ... full review

February 17, 2009
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker

However moody, Two Lovers didn't strike me as a downer, for the simple reason that it wells with sights and sounds that are guaranteed to lift, not sink, the spirits. full review

February 13, 2009
Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com

A beautifully made romantic drama that provides a great showcase for the acting talents of Joaquin Phoenix in what he claims will be his last role. full review

February 13, 2009
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Though it is set in the present, Two Lovers takes place in what often feels like an earlier incarnation of New York. full review

February 12, 2009
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Bravely wearing his heart on his sleeve, James Gray directs the tender and terrific Two Lovers as an antidote to the virus of hip. full review

February 12, 2009
Claudia Puig, USA Today

An involving, gently paced and well-cast drama about a tortured soul and his efforts at redemption. full review

February 9, 2009
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

Although Paltrow is radiant (and she nails the character's ditzy sense of entitlement), it's Phoenix's movie. He is, once again, stupendous, and stupendous in a way he has never been before. full review

View more Two Lovers reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • blue20081
    June 30, 2009
    Aww, This sounds good. I liked the lead male (cant remember name) In Walk the line. I Like Romance films.
  • fatoshleo
    May 25, 2009
    can somebody tell me what will happen in the end?
    i hate watching movies to the end and then get disapontment.
  • emyychayank
    March 12, 2009
    hello my name is emi,i like romantice movie and horor,face off my favorite movie.
  • Daughteroftwilight
    February 18, 2009
    awww
    how i loved the kind of stories like this 1
    really want want see it
  • welice93
    January 30, 2009
    Brooklyn man is torn between a family friend his parents wish he would marry and the beautiful but volatile new neighbor with whom he falls passionately in love.

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Two Lovers Trivia


  • The 1993 romantic comedy "Sleepless in Seattle" was not the first film to have two lovers plan to meet at the top of the Empire State Building. What classic film was the idea taken from (they mention its name in the film)?  Answer »
  • What were the names of the two lovers in the Notebook?  Answer »
  • Who portray the two ‘star-crossed lovers’ in Baz Luhrmann’s masterpiece of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (1996)?  Answer »
  • in what movie did two lovers meet on a ship?  Answer »

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