An emotionally brutal and cynical look at relationships-or lack thereof.

Rating: 10/10 (19 December 2004)

Firstly, let me say that I can understand why someone wouldn't like Closer, though I thought it was extraordinary. I myself have never seen a more fascinating audience reaction where people either walked out or shouted how bad the movie was while it was playing. In fact, while, closer is a very heavy movie, It is an intense, performance driven, Emotionally brutal film that, while draining to watch, is fascinating in it's sheer effectiveness in exposing the raw emptiness and utter lack of meaning that can and does, exist, in those 3 magic words: I love you. Closer was originally a play and you can kind of tell that within the first few minutes of the movie. Although, this story is more suited, in some ways, to the stage, I think all involved did an excellent job in bringing it to the big screen.
There are only 4 characters in the whole movie and all 4 performers were wonderful in different ways. (They would have to be for a movie like this to maintain it's power.) I know, to many, the strong amount of cursing and vulgar language might have been a negative, but I think it added to the emotional power of the movie. I also found Some of the scenes disconcerting but the movie was very honest in it's telling of the power games, battles for control and obsessive love/hate struggles that actually go on in many, though not all, of romantic relationships. Many of my friends who did not like this, in fact, said the reason why they were uncomfortable, was that it was to true to life. I think the majority of people will be uncomfortable watching Closer and if the movie made one mistake it Was not advertising in an appropriate way, many I knew went, thinking it would be another sunny Julia Roberts comedy which it obviously isn't although I think Roberts turns in her Strongest performance here to date. Closer isn't afraid to take chances and to me, it is very accurate in showing the ugly side of relationships.
Everything is explored here from power games, dependency issues, sexual obsession, intimacy, infidelity etc. The words I love you are rendered almost meaningless here. Closer also shows how little people can sometimes know each other no matter how deeply involved they may be. And the audience gets to know the people on screen as these characters come to know each other and what develops isn't predictable. I thought this film was superb.
Beyond the incredible performances turned in here, I hope Closer wins best direction. The scene at the strip club between Alice and Larry was the most well directed scene I've seen all year and that one scene alone is enough to go see the movie.
In closing-this isn't for everybody or maybe not even the majority but I thought it was very well done, was almost flawless (the lapses in time, while maybe working on stage, Served to confuse many seeing it as a movie.), and contains some of the best and most intense performances of 2004. One of the best of the year.