'' Two Lovers '' is a 2008 American romantic drama film , taking its inspiration from Fyodor Dostoyevsky 's short story " White Nights " , which had already been turned into a film seven times , first by Luchino Visconti : '' Le Notti Bianche '' ( 1957 ) . The movie is directed by James Gray and stars Joaquin Phoenix , Gwyneth Paltrow , and Vinessa Shaw . It is set in the largely Russian Jewish neighborhood Brighton Beach in New York City , as was Gray 's first movie '' Little Odessa '' . '' Two Lovers '' premiered in competition at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in May . The movie is Gray 's third to enter the competition at this festival . It was released on February 13 , 2009
2008 Cannes Film Festival
2008 Cannes Film Festival
Two Lovers (2008 film)