Closer is painfully amateurish

Rating: 1/10 (31 December 2004)

I'm willing to go along with just about anything as part of a movie going experience, except if I don't believe the characters. 30 seconds into this film I was already feeling that.
This film has some of the most 3rd grade dialog and forced set-ups I think I've ever seen. And as a result, I started to notice other aspects of this film that fall short. Like the editing. Very choppy. Or the pitiful sound design work. I don't mean the score, which in itself is pedestrian, but all the other sound elements that make up the audio track. Was this film assembled by interns?
But back to my original complaint. Where is the chemistry between anyone in this film? I know Mike Nichols can direct. Or used to be able to direct. The actors are all "A" list. If that means anything. What happened? I would highly recommend anyone thinking about seeing this film to save your money and go rent Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf.
They say all great movies start with a great script. If that's true, Closer never stood a chance.