An exceptional script, wonderfully acted

Rating: 10/10 (18 January 2005)

Closer, whilst containing romance and comedy, is the antidote to Hollywood romcoms. The premise is simple: four characters with differing philosophies on how love relates to truth and happiness are thrown together. The plot, by contrast, is a maelstrom of emotional friction that is fiendishly complicated but never confusing.
Some reviewers have looked down on the film for failing to live up to the standards of the stage version. Frankly, they are fools. Even if this pales in comparison to its live predecessor, it is still an electrifying film.
Jude Law, Clive Owen and Natalie Portman are sublime, and Julia Roberts gives the performance of her career. Patrick Marber's script not only contains the perfect balance of drama and wit, but zips along so that every time you think you know how the plot will develop, it cuts to the next confrontation.
There is one dramatic turn that I found hard to swallow, but it is barely a wrinkle. Thought-provoking dramas don't get much better than this.