theater on the big screen

Rating: 9/10 (7 July 2005)

Closer is a really strange case for me. I was told it was great, "just don't see it if you have a boyfriend". To be honest, I didn't like it the first time I watched it. Well, it was more than that; basically it was absolutely nothing that I expected it to be. The dialogue, though sharp, was, well, crude. I don't care about that at all mind you. But it wasn't what I was expecting. I had no idea how to deal with the movie so I moved on after seeing it. I thought it would be forgettable.
And then, I realized little pieces of it kept coming back to me. I would remember a scene and ponder it almost out of nowhere. So, about three months after I first saw it, I rented it again last night. And now I think I might just need to buy it.
Closer is truly theater. I read how it was based off a play, and now it is all the more evident. I was so perplexed by the love quadrangle of the film the first time that I never even noticed, no one else is in the film AT ALL except the four main actors. Sure there are background people but no other characters. Every scene accomplishes so much they are little movies or dramas in themselves. They reveal the good and the sinister in these people. They deal with universal feelings about relationships, love, and betrayal. But they do so in a way that is harsh & honest, as opposed to sappy. This is no romantic tearjerker by any means.
It really didn't dawn on me the first time. I thought the point was that people are so selfish that they are capable of doing the cruelest things, even to the ones they love. But thats not it at all. The point, I think, is that real love is truly rare. Each character comes off as a devious sex hungry person who can't stay faithful or happy. But each character truly is complex and different, and this is what really hit me the second time seeing it. Anna (Roberts) is depressed and doesn't think she DESERVES real love. Dan (Law) isn't capable of real love. Larry (Owen) truly loves Anna, and Alice (Portman) truly loves Dan. Larry and Alice are easily my favorite characters. Both AMAZING actors in this movie and both rich and convincing characters - you find yourself rooting for them to somehow be happy the whole time. Larry is pretty crude himself, but for some reason comes across as a likable character. Jude Law always seems to play a tool in every film he does, and masters it in Dan as well. In other comments I've read, Julia Roberts comes off as dull, and I'll agree - but the more I think about it, I think the character calls for it.
This film is simple in the sense you've got four characters and a fairly straightforward plot of their deceptions. But I truly believe there are more layers to this film. I can't wait to watch it again and see what else I can get out of it. To those who hated it, give it another chance if you can. To those who have yet to see it, try to get past the film at face value and really examine the four characters. If nothing else, watch it for the spectacular acting. I really do think this is a perfect portrayal of theater in the form of film. 9/10