A Single Man
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.
Despite its small-scale budget of $7.0M, A Single Man became a solid performer, earning $25.0M worldwide—a 257% return. The film's unconventional structure connected with viewers, illustrating how strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
A Single Man (2009) exhibits deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of Tom Ford's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 40 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
George Falconer
Charley
Kenny Potter
Jim
Main Cast & Characters
George Falconer
Played by Colin Firth
A British college professor grieving the death of his longtime partner Jim, contemplating suicide on what he intends to be his last day.
Charley
Played by Julianne Moore
George's longtime friend and former lover, a vivacious woman struggling with her own loneliness and alcoholism.
Kenny Potter
Played by Nicholas Hoult
A charismatic young student who shows persistent interest in George and seeks deeper connection with him.
Jim
Played by Matthew Goode
George's deceased partner, seen in flashbacks and memories as a loving, grounding presence in George's life.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes George Falconer wakes from a nightmare of his lover Jim's fatal car accident. We see him submerged underwater, drowning in grief - a visual metaphor for his suffocating depression and suicidal ideation in 1962 Los Angeles.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when George receives a phone call from Jim's cousin (not even immediate family, due to homophobic erasure) informing him of the accident. In flashback, we witness the moment that shattered George's world - being told he cannot attend his partner's funeral because he's not "family.".. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to George decides to go to the bar instead of going home to execute his suicide plan immediately. This choice to delay, to remain in the world of the living for a few more hours, opens him to unexpected connection., moving from reaction to action.
The Crisis moment at 76 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, George experiences peace for the first time in eight months. He sits alone, smokes, watches Kenny sleep. He has processed his grief enough to accept that he can honor Jim's memory and still choose to live. He finds serenity in this decision., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. George lies in bed, finally at peace. He has survived the goddamned day and chosen tomorrow. But then he suffers a sudden heart attack - a tragic irony. In his final moments, he hallucinates Jim coming to kiss him goodbye, releasing him., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A Single Man's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping A Single Man against these established plot points, we can identify how Tom Ford utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A Single Man within the drama genre.
Tom Ford's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Tom Ford films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. A Single Man takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tom Ford filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Tom Ford analyses, see Nocturnal Animals.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
George Falconer wakes from a nightmare of his lover Jim's fatal car accident. We see him submerged underwater, drowning in grief - a visual metaphor for his suffocating depression and suicidal ideation in 1962 Los Angeles.
Theme
George's voiceover reflects: "Just get through the goddamned day." His internal monologue about mechanical survival versus genuine living establishes the film's central question: Can one choose to truly live again after devastating loss?
Worldbuilding
George methodically prepares for his last day: selecting the perfect suit, arranging his affairs, cleaning his gun. We see his carefully constructed facade as a British professor, his hollow interactions with his housekeeper, and flashbacks to his beautiful life with Jim before the accident eight months ago.
Disruption
George receives a phone call from Jim's cousin (not even immediate family, due to homophobic erasure) informing him of the accident. In flashback, we witness the moment that shattered George's world - being told he cannot attend his partner's funeral because he's not "family."
Resistance
George moves through his day teaching Huxley to disengaged students, visiting a neighboring family where he watches their conventional heterosexual life with detachment, and having dinner with his longtime friend Charley, who drunkenly proposes they grow old together - a comfort George cannot accept.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
George decides to go to the bar instead of going home to execute his suicide plan immediately. This choice to delay, to remain in the world of the living for a few more hours, opens him to unexpected connection.
Premise
George and Kenny talk, drink, and eventually go skinny-dipping in the ocean at night. The world becomes vibrant and colorful in Kenny's presence - the visual palette literally shifts as George experiences moments of genuine presence and beauty, remembering what it feels like to be alive.
Opposition
Back at George's house, Kenny tries to seduce him and declare his feelings, but George resists - he cannot betray Jim's memory, cannot accept this gift of new love. His grief and loyalty oppose his desire to live. Kenny falls asleep in Jim's bed while George watches, conflicted.
Crisis
George experiences peace for the first time in eight months. He sits alone, smokes, watches Kenny sleep. He has processed his grief enough to accept that he can honor Jim's memory and still choose to live. He finds serenity in this decision.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
George lies in bed, finally at peace. He has survived the goddamned day and chosen tomorrow. But then he suffers a sudden heart attack - a tragic irony. In his final moments, he hallucinates Jim coming to kiss him goodbye, releasing him.
Transformation
George dies peacefully in his bed, having finally chosen to live. The final image mirrors the opening drowning sequence - but now he floats peacefully, released from suffering. He is transformed from a man mechanically awaiting death to one who chose life, even if only for a moment.