A Single Man is about George Falconer, a British college professor in 1962 Los Angeles who is grief-stricken after the death of his partner, Jim. He decides to live out what he believes will be his last day, going through his daily routine while preparing to commit suicide. Along the way, he has a series of encounters with a close friend, a former lover, and a curious student that force him to confront his grief and make a final decision about life.