A Single Man

  • 2009
  • R
  • 100m
movieMx RATING
7.3
1.7K
VERDICT
HIT
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A Single Man Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict

Last updated: May 10, 2026

movieMx Editorial
📅 Updated: May 10, 2026 🎟️ Verified Screening

Movie Overview: A Single Man

MovieA Single Man
Release Year2009
DirectorTom Ford
GenreDrama / Romance
Runtime100 minutes (1h 40m)
LanguageEN

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is A Single Man (2009) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast & Character Study

The performances in A Single Man are led by Colin Firth . The supporting cast, including Julianne Moore and Nicholas Hoult , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.

💡 movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?

After analyzing the verified data, our assessment of A Single Man (2009) is generally positive—a solid choice for fans of the genre. With a platform rating of 7.3/10, it currently stands as a HIT in our database.

What Works in the Movie

A Single Man stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.

  • Compelling performances from the main cast
  • Strong visual storytelling and direction
  • Well-structured Drama narrative
  • Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff

What Doesn't Work

Despite its strengths, A Single Man has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.

  • Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
  • Some predictable plot developments
  • May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase

Story & Plot Summary: A Single Man

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2009, A Single Man is a Drama, Romance film directed by Tom Ford, written by Tom Ford. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Colin Firth as George.

Story Breakdown

This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Set in Los Angeles in 1962, at the height of the Cuban missile crisis, is the story of a British college professor who dwells on the past and cannot see his future. We follow him through a single day, where a series of events and encounters ultimately lead him to decide if there is a meaning to life after the death of his long time partner, Jim. The screenplay takes time to develop Colin Firth's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: We meet Colin Firth as George in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life. Tom Ford builds this foundation carefully, and over its 100-minute runtime, the pacing proves deliberate.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Colin Firth's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings Colin Firth's arc to its natural conclusion. Tom Ford's direction provides adequate resolution, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.

Ending Explained: A Single Man

A Single Man Ending Explained: Directed by Tom Ford, A Single Man resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.

The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving Colin Firth. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.

Key Elements of the Ending

  • Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
  • Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
  • Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.

The final moments of A Single Man reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.

Who Should Watch A Single Man?

Age Advisory: Rated R — not suitable for younger viewers.

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Colin Firth or the director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: A Single Man

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $7.0M
Worldwide Gross $25.0M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

A Single Man Budget

The estimated production budget for A Single Man is $7.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Where to Watch A Single Man Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

fuboTVfuboTV
Paramount Plus PremiumParamount Plus Premium
Britbox Apple TV Channel Britbox Apple TV Channel
Paramount+ Amazon ChannelParamount+ Amazon Channel
Paramount+ Roku Premium ChannelParamount+ Roku Premium Channel

🎟️ Rent on

Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

A Single Man Parents Guide & Age Rating

2009 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about A Single Man age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

A Single Man is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of A Single Man (2009) is 100 minutes (1h 40m). Directed by Tom Ford, the film runs for 100 minutes in its complete theatrical version.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.3/10, and global performance metrics, A Single Man is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2009 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for A Single Man. Rating: 7.3/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Single Man worth watching?

A Single Man is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.3/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find A Single Man parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for A Single Man identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the runtime of A Single Man (2009)?

The runtime of A Single Man (2009) is 100 minutes (approximately 1h 40m).

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 7.3
A Single Man
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