Two Lovers

A 2929 Prods. and Wild Bunch presentation of a Tempesta Films production. (International sales: Wild Bunch, Paris.) Produced by Donna Gigliotti, James Gray, Anthony Katagas. Executive producers, Agnes Mentre, Todd Wagner, Mark Cuban, Marc Butan. Co-producers, Mike Upton, Couper Samuelson. Directed by James Gray. Screenplay, Gray, Richard Menello.

Leonard Kraditor - Joaquin Phoenix
Michelle Rausch - Gwyneth Paltrow
Sandra Cohen - Vinessa Shaw
Ruth Kraditor - Isabella Rossellini
Ronald Blatt - Elias Koteas
Reuben Kraditor - Moni Monoshov

An involving, ultimately touching romantic drama about a young man's struggle deciding between the two women in his life, "Two Lovers" reps a welcome change of pace for director James Gray from his run of crime mellers. Well acted by Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw, this very New York tale is old-fashioned in good ways that have to do with solid storytelling, craftsmanship and emotional acuity. Developing an audience will be another matter altogether; its central romantic dynamic would be entirely accessible to a mass audience, but pic's smallish nature and lack of real B.O. names suggest that interest will need to be built among discerning viewers via fest exposure and critical support, leading into gradual platform release by a dedicated distrib.