Talky, Insightful & Mean

Rating: 8/10 (14 December 2004)

I liked CLOSER a lot more than I expected - I had friends who had seen the popular play in London (it later transfered over to Broadway and did okay in NY - but a much bigger hit in London)- my friends said it was well-written but a little overwrought for their tastes. So I had rather low expectations and I was very impressed with the performances of the four leads - they ALL have their moments - real quiet, REAL moments but Clive Owen and Natalie Portman hit it out of the park. Clive Owen is brilliant in the indie film CROUPIER, did nice work in GOSFORD PARK and continues to grow into a powerful film actor. He is amazing in this film and Portman follows up her solid work in this year's GARDEN STATE with a delicate, emotional performance as a little "girl lost" in London who falls madly in love with Jude Law. Law and Roberts also do fine work and even though the screenplay is full of "written" back and forth, snappy dialogue and rather cruel putdowns - the whole thing moves at a brisk pace under the steady hand of master director Nichols. An adult movie about jealousy, insecurity and fear - not everyone's cup of tea but if you feel like watching a mature film about troubled relationships - check it out.