Mind Blowing Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (27 March 2005)

Before the credits rolled, I had already begun to rank this as one of my favorite movies. There was a little bit of suspicion in the realm of type-casting. I immediately asked myself how many more romantic roles I could see Julia Roberts in before finally getting tired of it and begging for a Brokavich sequel. However, she fit so superbly well as this character that, typecast or not, I forgot all about 'Runaway Bride' by the first intense scene. And there are quite a few of those in this one. Not having seen Jude Law do any intense acting, I was gladly impressed to discover that he really is a talented actor and not just some boy toy being thrown into practically ever film these days. There actually IS a reason for it. The other Eurpoean sensation in this movie, Clive Owen, also did a smashing job justifying all of the attention suddenly being thrown his way. Men with his attractive features really can be found en masse, but an actor that can control his facial expressions as if they were an etch a sketch for his emotions as he can, really is a rare bird. But my biggest surprise was Natalie Portman. Having never seen Garden State, my only taste of her has been the newer Star Wars movies. So, I thought she was a horrible actress. This movie turned my opinion over her on its head and left me wondering why I hadn't seen this star shine before. In addition to her acting, there's also something else about her that keeps you on edge. It could have just been her character in this particular flick. As the writing was so masterfully crafted, I wouldn't be surprised. The emotional intensity has a lot to do with the acting, but without the right words to deliver, it gets lost. This movie had scenes that left me wanting to slap someone, the were that effective at tugging you into the plot. I was constantly reminded of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", and a guarantee you that closer will one day be just as much a classic.