Stunning

Rating: 10/10 (27 April 2006)

This is a movie about complicated, intertwining relationships. It is a hard look at deep human emotions and sexuality. It bowled me over, quite unexpectedly.
The dialogue is extremely well written. Most importantly, director Mike Nichols elicited stunning performances from the actors. The chemistry between the characters is palpable. So natural were the performances, I frequently felt uncomfortable, as if I had walked into the middle of a very private conversation.
All the actors are great, but Clive Owen is particularly solid. And Julia Roberts finally grows up and plays a serious adult role, without falling back on her usual bag of cutesy tricks.
If you value good writing and good acting -- and don't insist on fairytale endings -- this is a movie to see. Simply stunning.