POSSIBLE SPOILER: A writing masterpiece

Rating: Null/10 (4 December 2004)

This movie is a writing masterpiece. It is beautifully directed, the characters are each sympathetic and grotesque at different points without changing their basic personalities, and the audience is jilted by an ending that could be happy - if looked at from the right perspective. This is the "Catcher in the Rye" of cinema.
"Closer" is a movie that demonstrates love in its most selfish and shallow. We are repulsed by every character at some point, but also made to be sympathetic at others.
This demonstrates a side of relationships we often refuse to see - that the idea of "love" can be gallivanted around and put on display like the pictures taken by Julia Roberts' character.
One of the greatest moments in the movie is when Natalie Portman speaks with Clive Owen - making the observation that sadness is not something that should be stripped and called "art" by the rich. Well, neither is love. It is here where, I would argue, the writer is commenting on the premise of the entire movie.
If anything, this movie should not be taken at face value. We are glad to be reminded that, after all, we aren't trapped in this misperception of love like the characters. We aren't victims of an idea...are we?
If anything, I believe that this movie is about growth. The two most perceptive characters are Clive Owen's and Natalie Portman's. Both understand the other two (Jude Law, Julia Roberts) better than they know themselves. Notice that, in the few times Portman and Owen interact with each other, they are completely honest and direct with each other (despite the disguises to the contrary). It is Law and Roberts who are the children, and can't understand their feelings.
This is going on my shelf of epics.
I read an earlier review that expressed hatred of the fact that the movie incorporates swearing. Swearing, in my mind, is fine as long as it is appropriate to the situation.
(Note: I find that many critics comment on the story premise instead of the execution of the movie. Whether or not the subject matter is "good" is purely subjective, however, the quality of writing, direction, and execution is not as easily subjective. Too many people confuse the two. Yes, premise is an important piece, but it isn't necessarily what makes or breaks a movie. Arguably, if a screenplay were written and directed right - we could be entertained by a movie about dog poop.)