There are no likable characters, but an interesting movie if you like watching people cheat.

Rating: Null/10 (21 May 2005)

Set primarily in London, "Closer" has only four characters who matter to the story. Natalie Portman is young New Yorker Alice (or maybe Jane?), new in London, and who has a chance meeting with Dan (Jude Law). Maybe it is because she was looking left instead of right at the intersection and is hit by the vehicle. Dan is a London newsman, his job is writing obituaries for the newspaper. Julia Roberts is a bit daring as Anna , a photographer. Quite by different accident, Dermatologist Larry (Clive Owen) comes into Anna's life, then they all come into each other's lives, for better or for worse. Mostly for worse. None of them are "model" people, and Larry is certainly not what you would want your doctor to be, or maybe your doctor is! How would you know? Interesting character studies, but with no likable characters, I found myself a bit unconcerned after it ended.
SPOILERS. Portman seemed intent on shattering her "girl" image and here plays a stripper, in some very revealing costumes. Roberts also plays against her usual roles, as here she cheats sexually willingly. Larry surfs the internet when he can, looking for dirty-talking young girls for sex. Angry that Anna put him off, Dan pretends to be a horny girl and lures Larry to the aquarium to meet Anna, as retribution. But Anna and Larry hit it off, and eventually get married. But Anna still has groans for Dan and she cheats. Larry is controlling, and by sheer will gets Alice in bed. Each in turn destroys the confidence and love of the other. At the end, Alice returns to New York, we see on her passport that she really is Jane.