Is A Single Man Too Straight?

With early reviewers touting A Single Man as the most notable gay movie of the year, the poster for the directorial debut of out fashion designer Tom Ford offers a contradiction: There's no hint of a gay storyline in the ad.

A Single Man, based on the novel by gay author Christopher Isherwood, follows a gay college professor (Colin Firth) in 1962 Los Angeles as he comes to terms with the death of his male lover, and it's filled with homoerotic encounters between Firth and a bevy of handsome young men.

However, the film's official poster features Firth reclining on pillows next to costar Julianne Moore.

Although the film is already expected to be a major player come awards season, it's difficult not to wonder if Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the savvy owners of the film's distributor, the Weinstein Company, are purposely downplaying its gay elements in advertising to attract a wider audience.