Closer - What goes around, comes around ?

Rating: 8/10 (14 January 2005)

Saw the new movie "Closer" last night.
Woah! :).. OK..although I saw this in its original play form back about 5years ago I'd definitely forgotten quite how "fruity" some of the language and topics get.. it's a very "explicit" movie without ever having one nude or violent scene.. it's bizarre how language can still shock us when it's put in a particular (real) context.
anyway...
my thoughts...
It WAS good.. a modern 4 way relationship piece set in London (for once!)where "love", infidelity and jealousy are put under the microscope with all the horrible bits & emotions that no one talks about. Although the "swapping" around is a little far fetched (can Anna ever make her mind up ?!) it makes for some interesting scenes & friction between the "only four people in the whole movie" - you hardly notice do you ?
The four actors do a great job and the dialogue (for the most part :-)) is excellent. I think where this movie falls short of greatness (by some way) is the generalisations (that we all can relate to) mixed with some "over the top" stuff that I don't think many of us can (?). The movie comes up with some interesting points but it lets itself down by taking one character (particularly) to some fairly nasty extremes (clive owen). Would many of us really say & do those things ? ..to that extent ? ..not so sure.
It seems to me that the movie is about the fall/destruction of the people who got left/dumped (Clive Owen & Natalie Portman) and then their ultimate empowerment (these two end the movie "in control" having lost it completely earlier on). Jude Law (& to some extent Julia Roberts) are the opposite. Jude starts the movie slightly "geeky" then becomes empowered and "in control" (even starts smoking & wearing those cool dark blue suits!) but ultimately ends up (like Julia) looking and acting pretty pathetic. I guess this boils down to: WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND. (?)
It's definitely NOT a "feel good" movie! In fact much of it, particularly the 2nd half, is a pretty depressing take on quite how selfish, destructive and obsessive people can be when it comes to "relationships". Having said all that it does have some great scenes. The "internet" scene between Jude & Clive and how the movie sets up the relationships in the 1st half are probably the best stuff.
CONCLUSION:
Actors great. Some scenes great. Most dialogue great. Let down by some "extreme" (and I don't mean that in a prudish way! :-)) characterisation. Soundtrack (Damien Rice) also great ;)
Will I watch it again?.. tough going.. but yeah..most probably!