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Closer
Directed by: Mike Nichols
Starring: Jude Law
Genre:
Drama
Run Time: 104 min.
Release Date:
December 2004
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
CLOSER is one of those films you
have to prepare yourself for. Anyone who’s seen a play that’s been
adapted to film will know that there’s not a helluva lot of action (this
one being Patrick Marber's
excellent Broadway play). But you can get some excellent
dialogue and great character studies.
Meet four screwed-up but beautiful people: Alice (Natalie Portman), an
American stripper just arrived in London who gets bumped by a car; Dan
(Jude Law), an obituary columnist for a local newspaper; Anna (Julia
Roberts), a professional photographer who’s recently divorced; and Larry
(Clive Owen,
CHILDREN OF MEN), a dermatologist with serious sexual
issues.
When Dan sees Alice hit by the car, he rushes to her aid and helps her
to the hospital, where she’s treated and released. But a strange
relationship develops as the two banter back and forth with some snappy
dialogue and incisive glances. Dan also knows Anna, the photographer,
and is "in love" with her and tries to get her into a relationship. But
when she refuses (initially) Dan and Alice move in together. But he’s
not through with Anna. Dan pretends to be her during an on-line chat
session with Larry, the dermatologist, and asks to meet him at the
London Aquarium, where Dan knows Anna visits and shoots film often.
Thus, Larry makes an ass of himself when he first meets Anna, but they
soon are entwined in a relationship, too.
About a year later, because of Dan’s persistence, Anna relents and forms
a relationship with him, even though she’s now married to Larry. And
Larry is a bit taken with Alice (the stripper), too. Sound convoluted?
It is, but it’s also terribly insightful into the lives of human beings.
As I stated at the beginning of this review, the movie-watcher needs to
be prepared for a film like this before sitting down with it. It’s not
fast-paced or action driven. It’s all about the characters. The awful
and wonderful things we do to each other isn’t candy-coated, and the
language is brusque and often pornographic.
There are also some nice little secrets about the characters that seep
into the film and add a titillating surprise for those who watch Closer
than most (for instance, check out "Alice’s" passport toward the end of
the film as she re-enters the United States).
Be warned, though, this film isn’t for everyone. Children and preteens
should not watch it. Those who don’t care for the vulgarities of
sex-talk should also avoid it. But if you enjoy intense characters doing
profound things to each other, you’ll undoubtedly delight in this little
flick.
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Image from Closer
DVD cost: $10.99
Purchase:
BestPrices.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
The opera that Dan and
Anna are late for and you can hear in the background is "Cosi Fan Tutte"
- this also deals with themes of two couples who swap partners.
Movie Quote: "Why
did you swear eternal love when all you wanted was excitement?"
Other Actors/Actresses
from Closer
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