The directorial debut of fashion designer Tom Ford, the film stars Colin Firth, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of George Falconer, a depressed gay British university professor living in Southern California in 1962.

After it screened at the 34th Toronto International Film Festival, The Weinstein Company picked it up for distribution in the United States and Germany.

An initial limited run in the United States commenced on December 11, 2009, to qualify it for the 82nd Academy Awards with a wider release in early 2010.

[5] On November 30, 1962, a month after the Cuban Missile Crisis, George Falconer is a middle-aged English college professor living in Los Angeles.

After awakening, George delivers a voiceover discussing the pain and depression he has endured since Jim's death and his intention to end his life that evening.

George goes about his day putting his affairs in order and focusing on the beauty of isolated events, believing he is seeing things for the last time.

George locks the gun away, burns his suicide notes and in a voiceover explains that he has rediscovered the ability "to feel, rather than think".

As he makes peace with his grief, George suffers a heart attack and dies, while envisioning Jim appearing and kissing him.

This led to speculation that the work's gay content and themes were being deleted or diminished in its marketing materials to improve its chances of success with a wider audience.

"[14] Peter Knegt of IndieWire suggested that The Weinstein Company "de-gayed" the trailer to better the film's chances of receiving Academy Award nominations.

[16] Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune wrote: "Some films aren't revelations, exactly, but they burrow so deeply into old truths about love and loss and the mess and thrill of life, they seem new anyway".

[17] Bob Mondello of NPR commented: "An exquisite, almost sensual grief suffuses every frame of A Single Man.

"[17] Marc Savlov of The Austin Chronicle wrote: "Everything fits perfectly, from titles to fin, but most of all Colin Firth, who dons the role of George like a fine bespoke suit.

There will be critics who will be unable to get past the director's background, but rest assured: Tom Ford is the real deal.

[28] The tracklist consisted of original music composed by Abel Korzeniowski, operatic arias by Shigeru Umebayashi, as well as songs featured in the film.