Well worth it

Rating: Null/10 (7 December 2004)

Closer is a great movie. At first, I thought that it wasn't very realistic, but, after thinking about it I realized I was wrong.
These characters may seem unrealistic to many, but what I see is a movie whose characters ACT on their thoughts, emotions, and feelings (even if they are wrong, selfish, or confusing). Most couples have similar adulterous emotions / thoughts while involved with someone, but many do not act on them, and therefore, still are potentially deceiving themselves and the one they are with.
The movie is not meant to entertain or show you character's motivations, thought processes, or development. The movie attempts to show you the result of actions, and how raw the emotions can be.... 'Developing' characters more or showing their 'reasoning' for actions would detract from the message of the movie.
Love bites. What is real in love? Is it real? What makes it end? What makes it spark? How does it last? Why do we doubt what we have? Why do we throw love away? Why do we take love for granted? And, why does everything about a person seem like a lie when they deceive you about love?
The movie demonstrates the result of the many things that are never said (about love) to each other when dating, courting, or married. Things we try to hide or bury. Doubt, regret, selfish needs, obsessions, unhappiness, sexual desires, weaknesses, greed, etc. The movie is honest, and so it is shockingly good.
The characters demonstrate selfish needs without regard to others. Love without intimacy, and intimacy without love. Lies, deceit, manipulation, and games all from people who think they know what they want but don't.... and who think they are playing others, yet are only playing themselves. In the process they show a lack of respect for others and themselves. None of the characters are honest, but all try to achieve fulfillment of their perceived needs, including Alice. Most posts claim Alice as the most 'innocent', which the movie clearly demonstrates she is not. In fact, Alice may be the scariest character, as she is easily able to divide her psyche to adapt and cope to her world to fulfill her needs.
The truth hurts. I see individuals and couples behaving(and thinking) in these ways all the time. Sometimes outwardly, sometimes with subtlety. Either way, whether a person acts out on these emotions is irrelevant.....the result is the same, and can have damaging effects to a relationship.
This is our society, and if one can't see this, you are either blinded by the romantic mythology of happily-ever-after Hollywood marketing or have your eyes shut to what is real (and hidden) in relationships.
Definitely a movie worth seeing.