Closer to Portman.

Rating: 7/10 (25 February 2016)

Closer (2004): Dir: Mike Nichols / Cast: Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Natalie Portman, Colin Stinton: The title symbolizes relationships and encounters, and in this case, four individuals who come and go into each others life within several years. Jude Law plays a struggling writer who meets Natalie Portman when she is in an accident. She plays a stripper whose identity she prefers to remain a mystery, or at least to the thoughts of the other person. Julia Roberts plays a photographer whom he ends up seeking a relationship with despite the fact that Portman is aware of the situation. Clive Owen is the fourth piece of the puzzle who is set up with Roberts. Director Mike Nichols clashes these relationships with interchange but it often jerks us around as if they are in a game of hide and seek. Nichols has directed many worthy projects including Primary Colors and The Graduate. This doesn't rank with those titles but it certainly poises as a worthy followup. The relationships here are flawed but played off by a terrific cast. Law is seeking without looking. Roberts is in denial. Owen is an opportunist. It is Portman who delivers the best performance as the stripper, scarred and reserved under a pink wig. Outside the lead roles, there is little of interest in other roles. It examines our false intentions when it comes to commitment and nurturing any form of relationship that permits that we move closer. Score: 7 ½ / 10