Two Lovers is a romantic drama film directed by James Gray, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Vinessa Shaw. The film revolves around Leonard Kraditor (Phoenix), a struggling man who moves back into his parents' apartment in Brooklyn after a failed engagement. Leonard suffers from clinical depression and has attempted suicide in the past.
As he tries to put his life back together, he meets two women who both spark his interest. One is Sandra Cohen (Shaw), the daughter of his parents' close friends who they hope he will date. The other is Michelle Rausch (Paltrow), his beautiful but troubled neighbor who is having an affair with a married man.
Leonard finds himself torn between the two women, each leading him down different paths. Sandra offers him stability and the promise of a future, while Michelle represents excitement and emotional turmoil. Leonard initially pursues Michelle but soon realizes that she is not the ideal partner for him. He then confesses his love to Sandra, but she is already engaged to someone else.
As Leonard struggles to deal with his emotions and find his place in life, he must ultimately make a decision between the two women and his own happiness. The film explores themes of love, obsession, family dynamics, mental health, and the complexities of human relationships.
Overall, Two Lovers is a poignant and touching portrayal of a man's journey to find love and purpose in his life. The film received critical acclaim for its brilliant performances, direction, and screenplay, and was regarded as one of the best films of 2008.