A brilliant film, seen symbolically

Rating: 9/10 (18 December 2004)

"Closer" can, of course, be seen literally...as a movie (or play) about four vacuous people caught in a round robin of deceit and conquest. I choose not to view it that way...and I suspect, the author, Patrick Marber and the director, Mike Nichols had more in mind than mere surface.
To me the film is a brilliant depiction of the desire for power and control, masquerading as "love". that leads to manipulation and betrayal...symbolic of our prevailing society. Just think of the political scene, both in America and Britain...The parallels of the movie's theme and the lies and betrayals in each of our countries is astonishing.
Art is always meant to be seen on more than one level...as is life itself...but too often we settle for what seems obvious and literal. The richness, as in this film's layers, can be lost. What a pity!