Magnificent Romance for Adults

Rating: 9/10 (29 October 2005)

In London, the American new arrival and former striper Alice Ayres (Natalie Portman) meets the mediocre obituary journalist Daniel (Jude Law) and they move together. Dan writes a book, inspired in the life of Alice, and while photographing for the release of the book, he meets the American photographer Anna (Julia Roberts). Dan "introduces" the dermatologist Larry (Clive Owen) to Anna, and they get married. However, Dan and Anna have a passionate affair, complicating the relationship of the couples.
"Closer" is a magnificent romance, but recommended for adults. The dramatic story is an intriguing tale of relationship, with love, passion, betrayal, forgiveness, insecureness, infidelity, elements that shall be handled very carefully by the director and screenplay writer; otherwise it might have become a boring or corny soap-opera. In this regard, the screenplay of Patrick Marber, and the direction of Mike Nichols, using ellipsis and flashbacks to present the events, sometimes years or months later, is spectacular, working perfectly in the film. This is the first time that Clive Owen proves (at least for me) that he is a good actor, with an awesome performance. Natalie Portman is also fantastic and they really deserved the nominations they received in many awards, including the Oscar. Natalie Portman is also very beautiful and shows an astonishing body. Julie Robert, still a very pretty woman, and Jude Law, complete the outstanding cast of this great movie. I liked a lot the surprising revelation disclosed in the end of the story. My vote is nine.
Title (Brazil): "Closer  Perto Demais" ("Closer  Too Close")