Far away, so close / How Closer do you really wanna get?

Rating: Null/10 (3 February 2007)

Based on the play, this is a movie about how each one of us damages the other, to the point where any repair is impossible, and the scars never heal. Ostensibly simple in plotting and characterization, layer-after- layer is peeled off with each new interaction one of the 4 characters has with the other, and we understand their motivations, their grief, their hurt and the depth of their wounds, some of which are still open and festering, encouraged by the attitude of the wounded, who, unbeknownst to them, perhaps even revel in the festering of the same.
This is how movies should be made. This is a fine example of all players being in the top of their form, and playing off each other as well. Nastiness oozes from everyone, and no punches are pulled.
Popcorn-munchers beware, you might bite your tongue off if you're not careful while watching this movie. This is how real people talk to one another, when they're hurt and in pain. This is how we hurt one another, and expect that we're not hurt in turn, but life has its way of making sure everyone falls. This is how people are when they're alone, when they reject someone, when they get rejected, when they're depressed, alone.
Some amazing direction from Mike Nichols (Silkwoood, Carnal knowledge, Catch-22, Wolf, The Birdcage - but this most closely resembles the fierce and exemplary work he did on 'Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf) make the characters deeply fleshed out and the players (Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen and Julia Roberts) make them come alive with a zeal on display that depicts their complete knowledge of how powerful they think each of their characters is, and even a flick of an eyebrow is done with a delicious relish.
Another great thing is the soundtrack initially belting out 'The Blower's daughter' by Damien Rice. Perfect accompaniment to a perfect movie.