....Then Farther Apart

Rating: 10/10 (4 December 2004)

I have been waiting for this film since I first started seeing previews at least 3 months ago. Reason 1: The stellar cast- Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Natalie Portman, and the seemingly omnipresent Jude Law. Reason 2: Mike Nichols. I've been a fan since The Graduate. and 3. The haunting song teaser they played in the previews, and now on the televised previews. This raspy, thready, "I can't take my eyyyeesssss off you....." - It positively obsessed me to find out the name and singer, which alone has been my unrealized mission for 3 months. I am being sidetracked, but bear with me. It will all become evident why I talk of the song so much. Okay, so on Thursday our local newspaper reviewer, who gave it an "A-", by the way, mentioned the song as being sung by Damien Rice. This Irishman has SOUL. Now about the movie. The song made me doubly interested in the movie, though I already knew I wanted to see it. Truth be told, had they not played that song in the preview, I wouldn't have been at the first showing the day it opened.
The movie doesn't disappoint, and does. This is NOT "warm, fuzzy, holiday fare". If you want that, stay home and watch Jimmy Stewart movies. What it IS is a finely tuned foray into relationships, specifically what we do to each other in relationships in quest for the "perfect love".
Excellent performances all around. The luminous Natalie Portman has gone to the top of my list, even surpassing the engaging Julia Roberts, who, incidentally, is not the sweet innocent she usually plays. Jude Law is so good, and thankfully made me forget Alfie. Clive Owen has the most expressive eyes. He gave a wonderful performance. It may be a bit difficult to adjust initially to each scene. The passage of time in between quickly becomes evident, however, and you'll find yourself in rhythm. Clive Owen gave an interview on our local TV station yesterday and prepared me, however, for the ending. I was really glad he did, because, although he didn't give anything away, he forewarned that you won't leave feeling all warm and fuzzy. Great effort from all involved. But leaves you feeling .......just leaves you "feeling"......