On DVD: 'Two Lovers'

'Two Lovers' (R) ***

Writer: Richard Menello
Director: James Gray
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Isabella Rossellini, Moni Moshonov, Elias Koteas

Joaquin Phoenix is a very talented actor from a talented family who seemed to shock people with some eccentric behavior recently. That was a shame because he had given a few great performances before then. Maybe it was a publicity stunt for a new movie but it did not distract me while watching the love triangle in his effective new movie "Two Lovers". He gives another sturdy performance as a shy, conflicted young man in love with two very different women. One is played again wonderfully by Gwyneth Paltrow as a damaged woman caught with a married man and a little drug use. The other woman is played by quite a new find in actress Vinessa Shaw. Vinessa Shaw has a raw natural beauty that the screen loves and her performance really makes you care about her sweet character. I just wish the screenplay could have delved in her character more. I felt something was missing but she plays a girl who is close to her family and is the antithesis to the Paltrow character. Director James Gray and his cinematographer do a wonderful job of capturing a place and time and the movie is beautiful to look at. This is an effective love story and we care about each character. There is a great sense of family in this movie and that was my favorite part. Isabella Rossellini and Moni Moshonov are great as the Phoenix character's parents. This movie kept me entertained and involved and I think the radiant Vinessa Shaw has quite a future ahead of her. 'Two Lovers" is now on DVD.