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Forty Shades of Blue

Play trailer Poster for Forty Shades of Blue R 2005 1h 48m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
63% Tomatometer 49 Reviews 44% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
After moving from Moscow to Memphis, Tenn., Laura (Dina Korzun) feels isolated living a new, privileged life with her boyfriend, Alan James (Rip Torn), a famous music producer. As time passes, Laura becomes increasingly lonely, while James carries on numerous affairs. When James's estranged son, Michael (Darren Burrows), visits for the first time in years, Laura's need for companionship and Michael's strained relationship with his father pull them into a tumultuous affair.
Forty Shades of Blue

What to Know

Critics Consensus

In its portrayal of a woman's awakening and disillusionment, Forty Shades of Blue is as nuanced as its title would suggest.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Nilsen Arizona Republic Feb 2, 2006
3/5
It contains some very good performances and some finely observed writing. Go to Full Review Geoff Pevere Toronto Star Jan 27, 2006
3/4
... both emotionally captivating and elusive ... Go to Full Review Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness Dec 20, 2005
B+
The magnificent Korzun ... [delivers] a performance of internalized anguish. Go to Full Review Felicia Feaster Creative Loafing Feb 3, 2020
Their script is infused with the romantic highs and lows of a million country songs. But it's the haunting melody, soaked in longing and agony that words can convey only in small part, that really gets you. Go to Full Review Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed Apr 29, 2009
Just more art house malarkey... Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Feb 20, 2009
B-
Aspires to tell us something revealing about compromised souls. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Lee B. @Elenaferrante Apr 19, 2026 Quiet restraint amid a sad chaos. I really loved this film. Acting is superb See more Feb 23, 2014 The actors did their roles iso as to be believable. See more Dec 18, 2013 Campy in a way that reminds me of Sirk, but the surface suggests something along the line of Altman. See more Jun 27, 2013 The film gets caught up in its own sadness. You appreciate the effort to bring out strong emotions but without any corresponding high, it ends up losing the audience. See more Mar 19, 2013 The absoulute hands down most boring film I have ever experienced. See more Oct 6, 2011 Decent film elevated to a whole new level by an amazing performance by Rip Torn. See more Read all reviews
Forty Shades of Blue

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Ira Sachs

Director

Rip Torn

Alan James

Dina Korzun

Laura

Darren E. Burrows

Michael

Paprika Steen

Lonni

Red West

Duigan

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Forty Shades of Blue

Forty Shades of Blue (2005) Rip Torn as Memphis music legend Alan James in a scene from FORTY SHADES OF BLUE, directed by Ira Sachs. Dina Korzun as Laura in a scene from FORTY SHADES OF BLUE, directed by Ira Sachs Darren Burrows as Michael in FORTY SHADES OF BLUE directed by Ira Sachs. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After moving from Moscow to Memphis, Tenn., Laura (Dina Korzun) feels isolated living a new, privileged life with her boyfriend, Alan James (Rip Torn), a famous music producer. As time passes, Laura becomes increasingly lonely, while James carries on numerous affairs. When James's estranged son, Michael (Darren Burrows), visits for the first time in years, Laura's need for companionship and Michael's strained relationship with his father pull them into a tumultuous affair.
Director
Ira Sachs
Producer
Mary Bing, Margot Bridger, Jawal Nga, Donald Rosenfeld, Ira Sachs
Screenwriter
Michael Rohatyn, Ira Sachs
Production Co
Charlie Guidance Productions, Flux Films, Tiny Dancer Films, High Line Productions
Rating
R (Language|Sexuality)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 8, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$75.2K
Runtime
1h 48m
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