Love and passion; the odds of it all

Rating: 8/10 (24 July 2007)

I'll stipulate the following review by saying that many of mine fall into a simple category: humor intended to review the dark, ridiculously humorous side of human nature. However, I feel an obligation, possibly based on my own history, or the director's beautiful portrayal of such events, to give a far more honest approach to what I viewed. That given, perhaps, for once, people will find such a review helpful. I was moved, and I hope many of you experience this movie with a similar moving experience.
Closer defines the confusing times we deal with in terms of story-book romantic endings and the reality of how love comes to be. We all (optimistically) envision love that is true, immediate, and timeless. Yet, we get a glimpse of reality here; those who believe in love, at various moments in time, only to discover much of themselves consistently changing, both in terms of lovers, and how they define love. Love is clearly the topic of interest, but who's love? And which lovers? This question parallels a more common reality, one in which we may be less realistic about perceiving, yet still exists.
The consistent romantic interludes are superb, perhaps only trumpeted by the disturbing lack of romance by those engaged in such interludes. Our own safety in those we allow to get close to us being of key issue. I could continue, but I'd rather allow this to be a prelude to inspire those both questionable and hopeful of relationships to view the movie. Enjoy, both in terms of the characters, and the stories they tell. This is a movie both inspiring and dismaying, but worth seeing. The current state of your love life may determine your eventual perception. Regardless, I hope you find both this review and the movie a worthwhile event.