Seems made for home viewing

Rating: 9/10 (18 September 2005)

Considering how little physical action there is in this film, it is something of a minor miracle that 'Closer' works as effectively as it does. Patrick Marber's screenplay, adapted from his successful stage play, is built entirely on dialogue and the social interactions of four people. With a great cast and sex as the main theme, fireworks are bound to go off.
I did not see 'Closer' when it was released in theatres, deciding to watch it on DVD. While I do not know what kind of experience the movie is on a big screen, there is a level of intimacy that makes it seem ideal for watching alone in the living room. This film is about four out-of-the-ordinary people who are in bizarre relationships, yet call for our own self-examination. Marber's writing is not kind; it is a brutal portrayal of how sex can be used to establish personal territory and hurt others. There are definitely connections between Marber and the work of two other playwrights, Harold Pinter (especially 'Betrayal') and Edward Albee, who hold similar views on intimacy and the use of language (or absence of it) to maintain power.
Besides watching Natalie Portman and Julia Roberts take on completely new persona, it is a major surprise to see all four marquee actors work so well as a group. This is the type of film where one actor's talents can overwhelm an entire cast. Portman and Clive Owen, in my opinion, stand out the most, but never does one actor seem to be looking for an upper hand over the remaining three. There is wide debate as to whom the best and worst 'moral' characters are, which owes to the fine balance in Marber's writing and the excellent direction of Mike Nichols.
Date movie seekers beware, do not see! You may be banging your head against a wall afterwards. Recommended for solitary viewing with a very open mind. Also be aware that the Columbia Pictures DVD does not offer much in the way of extras. 'Closer' is presented in anamorphic widescreen format only with English and French subtitles. Besides a standard trailer, the disc carries a music video of Damien Rice's 'The Blower's Daughter,' Closer's main theme.
*** ½ out of 4