# James Gray Calls Two Lovers His First Successful Film

> James Gray says his 2008 film Two Lovers was his first true artistic success as a director.
- Title: James Gray Calls Two Lovers His First Successful Film
- Summary: James Gray says his 2008 film Two Lovers was his first true artistic success as a director. Filmmaker James Gray considers Two Lovers his first successful…
- Keywords: james gray, two lovers, joaquin phoenix, gwyneth paltrow, london film festival, career q&a, entertainment, culture, James, Gray, Calls, Two
- Source: Deadline — https://deadline.com/2026/10/james-gray-two-lovers-london-film-festival-1237154274
- Author: Zac Ntim
- Published: 2026-10-11T14:33:36+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: james gray, two lovers, joaquin phoenix, gwyneth paltrow, london film festival, career q&a, entertainment, culture
## James Gray
Filmmaker James Gray told a London Film Festival audience this morning during a career Q&A that he believes Two Lovers was the first time he successfully executed his artistic vision as a director.
## Two Lovers
This movie was very important to me. It was the first time I had creative control. The work took on another character.

> This movie was very important to me. It was the first time I had creative control. The work took on another character.
## Creative Control
I don't regard the films I made before this very highly.I hope people like them, but I don't think of them as truly mine.I was still trying to do something.
## Key takeaway

Filmmaker James Gray considers Two Lovers his first successful feature film.