Netflix hidden gem movie with two huge unexpected stars

Irish Daily Mirror

21-04-2025

A hidden treasure on Netflix, Two Lovers, has captivated viewers who are now urging others to watch it immediately. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw, and tells the tale of Leonard Kraditor, a man forced to move back in with his parents in Brooklyn after his engagement falls apart.
The movie opens with Leonard seemingly attempting suicide by jumping into water, and follows his journey towards finding happiness. His parents, portrayed by Isabella Rossellini and Moni Moshonov, are desperate for their son's happiness and arrange a date for him with his father's business partner's daughter, played by Vinessa Shaw.
However, Leonard finds himself drawn to his enigmatic neighbour, played by Gwyneth Paltrow.
The ensuing love triangle and the suspense of whom Leonard will choose has fans riveted, with many commenting on the tear-jerking ending. Directed by James Gray, known for The Yards and We Own the Night, the film has been praised for its intricate portrayal of relationships.
The Guardian praised James Gray's filmmaking style, saying: "James Gray's powerfully emotional dramas have such a distinctive, deliberate quality; Gray has always been a craftsman working with heavy materials, very different from Hollywood's lightweight alloy. This, his third feature, is set once again in the Russian-Jewish communities of Brooklyn. Like his other films, The Yards and We Own the Night, it is unafraid of the grand gesture, but this often looks oddly like an adapted stage-play - Two Lovers takes Gray closer to the idiom of Arthur Miller or Tennessee Williams.", reports the Mirror US.
Boasting a solid 81 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Two Lovers is certainly making waves with both fans and critics smitten by the film.
One reviewer raved about the movie's relatability, saying: "No film has captured how we idealize others in relationships better than Two Lovers."
Another critic admired the film's craftsmanship, adding: "Gray has made a thoughtful and sensitive chamber piece, and he gets a fine performance from Phoenix, who conveys his character's anguish and heartache with deep feeling."
And another critique illuminated the film's subtlety, noting: "Everything about this quietly beautiful film is understated - the performances, the score and, most of all, the inner turmoil that easily can mean life or death for the most sensitive among us."
Audiences have also taken a shine to Two Lovers, with many viewers finding themselves emotionally stirred by the film's conclusion.
A fan admitted to the film's profound effect, saying: "Maybe I'm biased towards a lot of things in this film, but it really hit home with me. Would definitely recommend it."
A second viewer added: "Phoenix and Paltrow deliver strong performances in this beautifully depressive film. Though the ending is sad and frustrating, it's the best outcome for all involved."
Another reviewer agreed, saying: "Strong contender for most emotionally devastating sex scene ever."
The film Two Lovers is currently available to stream on Netflix.