Dark and Wonderful

Rating: 8/10 (16 January 2006)

The challenge of making a film from a theatrical play is staying true to the work created by the playwright. Too often, the result is a film "based" on the play, but adapted to make use of all the crutches on which the modern day filmmaker relies, such as digital animation, car chases, explosions, jittering cameras and other special effects. No other director of the modern age has successfully stayed true to the work of the playwright than Mike Nichols as exhibited in such powerful films as the Graduate, Whose Afraid of Virginia Wolfe, Heartburn and now Closer.
I saw Patrick Marber's award winning play Closer when it first opened in London and then many years later when it showed up in Houston. When I heard Nichols was making a film of Closer, I had high hopes and Nichols does not disappoint.
Closer has only four actors (Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen) a handful of simple sets and a few street scenes. The screen play, adapted by Marber himself, is dialogue heavy, darkly serious, brutally honest and sometimes disturbing. Closer is the tale of two American women in London and their accidental intertwining of relationships with two English men. During their pursuit of love, the four characters struggle to understand the role of the truth while they weave their nest of lies and deceit.
Roberts plays the role of Anna, and she delivers a wonderful performance in a different manner than we are accustomed to seeing from her. Not the usual fast moving, comical script or dynamic characterization with contrived accents or lavish costumes. But her wonderfully brooding facial expressions, unique sense of presence and powerfully delivered dialogue are a critical part to the success of this film. I first suspected that Roberts would carry the film as she normally does, but surprisingly the Oscar nominated performance of Portman stands out from the already strong cast. She continues to impress, showing that her acting abilities extend far beyond that exhibited in the Star Wars prequels and roles previous to that. Portman's performance as Alice captivates, warms and shocks. We love her, care for her and keep trying to better understand her. I wondered after seeing the film the first time, if, to some extent, we are watching a passing of the baton from Roberts to Portman. Only time will tell.
Neither of the male roles draws much sympathy from us. Law is well cast as Dan, a rather weak and soft character incapable of cherishing the relationship he has with Ann. To the other extreme is successful but brutish Larry, played by Owen, And although we like Larry the least, he seems to understand truth the most. Both Law and Owen are perfect for their parts and deliver strong performances.
If you like a dark and powerful drama, I expect you'll adore Closer. And for that treat we can thank the teamwork of Marber and Nichols. The dialogue and story line of Marber coupled with Nichols' ability to coax from his cast that special something that keeps us pulled in even in the absence gun shots and roaring dinosaurs. But be warned; it's dark film without a happy ending to rescue you.
recommended
7.9