4 ageing adolsescents - not a movie to get close to

Rating: 5/10 (13 April 2006)

When a work is focused on few characters, the writer had better make sure they are of interest. If they are unlikable, they should be fascinating so, with the kind of dialog that keeps the viewer's attention riveted.
"Closer" is very much an "in your face" kind of movie. What makes it so unpalatable is that the characters thrust at you are ultimately an irritating bunch, whose petulant infantile behavior is something that you really need not bother yourself with. Interestingly enough, many here comment about the "adult" nature of the film. These are not adults. They are ageing adolescents whose lives are dominated by sex. Worse, its sex for as a means for manipulation and domination.
The paper thin story line is riddled with self conscious, at times laughable dialog. Marber's chief failure is in creating characters with virtually no depth to them at all. There's a ring of untruth to each one of them and hence their interactions, making it hard to take "Closer" anywhere nearly as seriously as is presents itself.
Actors have almost always flourished under the direction of Mike Nichols. Nichols' choices though as a movie director have often led him to material inferior to his talents. The performances in "Closer" as good as they are, (particularly Clive Owen) do not compensate for this unpleasant, incredible and overtly pretentious film.