The Best Film I've Seen In A Long Time...

Rating: 10/10 (26 January 2005)

Closer tells the story of four people - Dan, an obituary writer and failed novelist played by Jude Law, Larry, a dermatologist played by Clive Owen, Alice, a drifter and stripper played by Natalie Portman and Anna, a photographer played by Julia Roberts - whose love lives are all in someway connected. Dan is dating Alice but is 'in love' with Anna who is dating Larry after meeting him in an aquarium as a result of a joke Dan played. The story follows their relationships over four years, through deceptions, marriage, affairs and more deceptions.
After seeing the trailer for this film in September last year, I've had very high hopes for it. I can say quite happily that I was not disappointed . Closer is a modern classic, brilliantly acted by a very capable cast and wonderfully scripted. The film moves seamlessly from one tragedy to another. It's a brave movie in many ways, never afraid to be blunt about the characters sex lives, therefore it's not for everyone. The language is very graphic with at least 5 uses of the C word (and I don't mean clean). It's true what the professional reviews/cast have said, you do find your allegiance switching throughout the film and by the end of it you find yourself wondering if any of them deserved your sympathy at all.
The acting is amazing. The cast work brilliantly together. If Clive Owen doesn't win the Oscar then someone needs shooting. His performance was the strongest out of an incredibly strong cast. Julia Roberts was excellent as the woman torn between two men. Natalie Portman was as per usual wonderful and very convincing. Jude Law was back on top form after a string of crowd-pleasing but not critic pleasing films. He was completely believable as Dan and this film should silence those who think he's lost his touch.
As the end credits rolled and the hauntingly beautiful Blowers Daughter was played, I found myself realizing I'd just watched the best film I'd seen in a hell of a long time. It was worth everything I had to do to see it and I will definitely be buying the DVD! 5/5