Two Lovers

There's a kind of achy beauty to Two Lovers, a romantic drama about a man who's drawn to two very different women, as it explores the complexities of attraction. Is it better to be with someone who has similar flaws because she "gets" you and is just as messed up as you are? Or is it a recipe for disaster to put together two people who are messed up in similar ways? Why do we become obsessed? Is the kind of love that's intoxicating and devastating better or worse than a calm love full of respect and companionship?

The story belongs fully to Leonard (Joaquin Phoenix), as we see everything from his point of view. Nothing happens unless Leonard sees it (and we see it with him). It's an intimate thing, this perspective. Not only do we root for Leonard, we are living with his decisions alongside him, right from the very first scene — in which Leonard attempts suicide. He jumps into water but eventually surfaces and walks away, back to his parents' apartment in Brighton Beach where we learn that this isn't Leonard's first attempt, and that he is bipolar. The narrative swiftly moves forward as we're introduced to the two women who become the objects of Leonard's affection: Kindhearted family friend Sandra (Vinessa Shaw) and the beautifully damaged Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow). Sandra makes her feelings clear, and Leonard could have a stable relationship with her — along with great joy and support from both families. But Leonard is irresistibly drawn to Michelle, in all her flighty dysfunction, because she's disturbed, confused, and vulnerable — just like Leonard. So, which one should he be with? For some of my thoughts on this story, read more

Gwyneth Paltrow and Joaquin Phoenix posed together on the red carpet at a Ferragamo and Cinema Society hosted screening of their new movie Two Lovers in NYC last night. Gwyn had on another daring outfit while Hilary Duff was happy to be there. Joaquin managed to suit up for the cameras including that of Casey Affleck who is still documenting Joaquin's recent career change from acting to rapping. Earlier in the evening Joaquin stopped by Letterman, though he wasn't much up for chatting. You have to see it to believe it — video after the jump — Joaquin barely answered anything Dave asked which left the talk show host in an awkward position. At one point Phoenix put his gum on the underside of Dave's desk. Joaquin has made it clear he's not messing around with his new rap career, though he might want to think about his interview strategy if he wants to be taken seriously.

To see more from the premiere as well as Joaquin's totally incoherent Letterman appearance just read more

Gwyneth Paltrow was in Paris last night for the premiere of her movie Two Lovers. Earlier this year she screened the film at Cannes, and once again her costar Joaquin Phoenix was a no-show. He appears to be sticking to his decision to give up acting, but their director James Gray was able to step in and walk the red carpet with Gwyneth. Fashion icon Catherine Deneuve was also on hand to lend some glamour to the evening, though all eyes were probably on Gwyneth in that racy lace dress.

To see more of glam Gwyneth, just read more

Gwyneth Paltrow and Anne Hathaway were among the stars on the red carpet at the London Film Festival tonight — check out all of PopSugar UK's coverage here. Anne was joined by her Rachel Getting Married cast mates for their screening, while Thandie Newton checked out the scene alongside her husband Ol Parker. Gwyneth Paltrow went solo to support Two Lovers at a nearby theater and opened up about Madonna's divorce. She said, "You know, she's a dear friend, and I'm supporting her in all [the] ways that I can . . . I'm just here for her. I'm just here on the other end of the phone, really . . . I speak to her a lot." It's great to see that Gwyneth is being a good pal — even if Madonna didn't take her advice about staying together for the kids.

To see more of the ladies in London, just read more

Gwyneth Paltrow got a little break from red carpet events after promoting Iron Man, but she was right back at it yesterday for the premiere of Two Lovers in Cannes yesterday. Her costar Joaquin Phoenix wasn't there to pose with her, but she had plenty of support from her director and other members of the cast. Diddy was also in the house — you know, since he's a big-time member of the Hollywood club these days and all. Gwyneth looked gorgeous in basic black, but she lightened things up in the evening when she went all white at the Chopard event. Today it was right back to the LBD paired with another pair of killer heels for a photocall. This is her first time at Cannes, but considering how flawless she looks, she seems like a pro already.

To see all of our Cannes coverage, click here!

Lots more pics of Gwyneth, Diddy, Vinessa Shaw, and others if you read more

Gwyneth Paltrow has been all over the world in the past year, from the Oscars in LA to shooting her TV special in Spain with stops at her London home in between. Now she's in Manhattan filming Two Lovers with Joaquin, but we've been wondering where her off-screen man, Chris Martin, has been. While the media has turned their lack of public appearances together into rumors of a split, Gwyneth's rep has confirmed that these two are still going strong and haven't been having any problems. Apparently these two make it a priority to keep their relationship out of the limelight which is very different from Gwyneth's failed public relationships of the past. Maybe now Gwyn knows the secret to making a celebrity marriage last.

Jennifer Garner recently expressed a similar opinion about trying to keep her relationship with Ben Affleck as private as possible and we can't say we blame them. We do wish, however, that Gwyn and Chris would treat us to a public appearance every now and then, even if only once a year.

More of Joaquin and Gwyneth taking a stroll through Manhattan on the set so just read more