film: review

> CLOSER (2004)
An all-around great film!

By John C. Lyons
Film Critic

Closer

Starring: Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen

Directed by: Mike Nichols

Written by: Patrick Marber

Genre: Drama/Romance

Our Rating: 9/10
While each of its main characters would be highly unlikable in real life you can’t help but enjoy the backstabbing, cheating, manipulative portrayals by Roberts and company in Closer. Each is a standout performance and I hope that the film receives some sort of notoriety despite its un-friendly subject matter. It’s a look at relationships without all the candy-coating and, while some will not care for this glimpse into the darker sides of romance, I was quite impressed.

The movie opens with Dan (Jude Law) and Alice (Natalie Portman in her first real “adult” role) locked in one of those love at first sight moments before an accident draws them together. The scene, like many here, is exceptional and memorable. After some time their lives are disrupted once Anna and Larry (Julia Roberts and Clive Owen) come into the picture. From this point, it all turns nasty but very real as the two couples have their twisted way with one another.

The cast is perfect. I don’t need to give much more detail other than to say that each is given plenty of room to shine and self-destruct. The music by Damien Rice among others was still stuck in my mind well after the closing credits. Excellent choice. Director Mike Nichols has weaved a great adaptation to what I can only assume was a great play. If you can handle blatant sexual and oftentimes harsh dialogue this is definitely one you need to see. Why aren’t there more movies like this?!

I saw this film at Cinemark’s Tinseltown 17 Theatres on Peach Street in Erie, PA.

 

(04-1222)

related links:
Closer - official site

MPAA rating: R
for sequences of graphic sexual dialogue, nudity/sexuality, and language.

length: 98 minutes
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