Mona Lisa is not smiling

Rating: 10/10 (4 December 2004)

The film "Closer" prominently features music from Mozart's opera, "Cosi Fan Tutti." The title does not translate into English too well but it is usually translated as "they are all like that." The opera is about 2 couples that swap lovers on a bet in order to prove that women are unfaithful by nature. At the end of the opera the men don't come off looking any better than the women. The opera is a comedy; this film is not.
"Closer" is basically a filmed play. All the drama comes from the dialog. If you liked "The Hours," "We Don't Live Here Anymore," and "21 Grams," then you will probably like "Closer." If you are not comfortable peering into the dark side of human nature and the sadistic side of sexuality, you should not see this film. This is a film about people who are beautiful on the outside and ugly on the inside.
This is an art film. It uses an interesting device of skipping large amounts of time without telling the viewer. You find out in the dialog that the film has suddenly skipped ahead a year or more. This is a challenging film that requires the viewer actively think during the entire film and especially at the ending. If you go to movies in order to stop thinking, you will probably not like this film. Also, if you are offended by graphic sexual dialog, do not see this film. The dialog in this film makes "Kinsey" seem tame by comparison. If you have trouble figuring out the ending, remember that the names at the memorial were people who died saving children and "truth is what separates us from the animals." Afterwards, you can decide who was the most manipulative character in the film.
The cinematography and the dialog are some of the best I've seen in several years. We get so few adult oriented films these days; you should catch this one on the big screen while you have the chance. This is a rare opportunity to see some real literary emotional drama. It is a film that keeps you thinking after you leave the theater. This gets a 10/10.