Emotional Horror Film

Rating: 7/10 (4 December 2006)

A crisp sheen of urban superficiality was this viewer's response to Mike Nicholls' cinematisation of Patrick Marber's West End theatre-smash. A conscious decision has been made to juxtapose cool,bright colourisation with a cold, defensive acting style from all the four main actors in the piece. Julia Roberts particularly impresses in a complete subversion of her usual bright, breezy likable screen persona. Here is she anxiety-stricken, brittle, bitchy. It was some surprise to me that award-recognition was not forthcoming here. Doubtlessly, the difficult thematics of the film probably negated any potential commendation.
Marber seems to be making the point that in our technologically strong world it is we human beings who lose out. Struggling to find love in a barren century, our humanity is eroded, leaving only sin. Without love, we are nothing.
'Closer' is a very difficult film to watch. There are no likable characters and bleakness pervades this 21st century world. I could not watch it again. This film is not entertainment, more a blow to the thinking mind. It is a plea for love in a loveless world. Would that we could listen to its message...