Fascinating, well acted & directed movie

Rating: 10/10 (10 May 2005)

A non-operatic somewhat feminist variation on the theme of Mozart's "Cosi fan Tutte", in which all four characters play interchangeable roles in love relationships. It really doesn't matter who ends up with whom. Natalie Portman and Clive Owen fully deserved their awards. Mike Nichols direction was great--keeping the action flowing and the audience guessing. Julia Roberts and Jude Law were wonderful, playing against type as secondary characters in the piece.
The background music was excellent. I was somewhat confused as to the movie's intent until hearing the excerpt from "Cosi fan Tutte" and everything fell into place.
The ending which allows one character to break away from the dance and reveal that she was playing a duplicitous game almost throughout, was stunning.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film and feel it deserves many viewings.