My favorite film of 2004

Rating: 10/10 (14 January 2005)

Closer
Award Worthiness: Best Picture Best Actor-Jude Law Best Actress-Julia Roberts Best Supporting Actor-Clive Owen Best Supporting Actress-Natalie Portman Best Adapted Screenplay Best Director-Mike Nichols Best Film Editing
Grade: A
Closer was my most anticipated film of the year, even more than "The Passion of the Christ." When watching it I really had no idea what to expect. I heard a lot about the dialogue but that was it. Wow, was I blown away. The film is the most insightful, thought provoking film of the year. If it were up to me this would definitely be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Nichols has directed each actor to supreme perfection. I could not imagine no one else playing each character better than the ones at hand. The performances were top notch. Let start with Mr. Jude Law. I think he gave the weakest out of the bunch but still turned in an excellent performance. Even though you grow to hate his character with a passion he made you hate "Dan." Law gave great emotion and is definitely at the top of his game. Ms. Julia Roberts gave us a very different Julia Roberts. Her character is very selfish and Roberts portrays that with excellence. She was definitely one to watch and was quite enjoyable. She lifts her character to new dimensions. Even though Cate Blanchett was set to take that role I couldn't imagine Cate doing a better job than Julia. (No offense Cate, I still love ya) Natalie Portman has definitely made her transition from child star to adult star and with great ease. After watching her last year in Cold Mountain I knew there was great potential in her and I was proved right. Her sleek, sexy, and gut wrenching performance makes her a lock for a nomination come January. If she keeps going at this rate she will be a regular at awards ceremonies. And the last but certainly not least is the man of the hour, Clive Owen. He gives an amazing performance as Larry. He played Dan in the original London stage of this and made a drastic turn as a man with a little too much in his vocabulary. Owen delivers the best performance of the ensemble and will definitely be a force to be reckoned with in February. This movie was completely enjoyable and even though I wouldn't recommend bringing your Grandmother to see this, I will recommend it to the mature movie watcher. Best film of the year.
10/10