Director: Mike Nichols
Cast:
Natalie Portman: Alice
Jude Law: Dan
Julia Roberts: Anna
Clive Owen: Larry
Story:
Alice is a stripper who falls for Dan after she gets run over. They hit it off. Anna is a professional photographer who shoots Dan for his book cover photo. He really likes her, and perhaps there's potential
romance...?
By a series of humurous events, Dan unwittingly brings Larry into Anna's life, which causes an intriguing look at how each of them end up loving one another at one time or another, and how they deal with their
feelings.
Review:
Natalie Portman in a G-string and tiny bra, prancing around in a strip club doing dances and talking dirty. Nuff Said.
But before all that, we have lots of dialogue that doesn't quite reach a realistic vibe, but that's ok, since it's like a play; which is what Patrick Marber's screenplay originally was.
I didn't know much of what I was getting into before watching Closer. I basically knew that it was a drama about these four peoples' lives, and that there'd be no explosions, car chases, or screwball pratfalls. Oh, and Natalie Portman was to get nekkid, but Mike Nichols decided at the last second to remove her nude scenes ('Damn you! Damn you to hell!') because he felt too much like a father to her. Well, if you're going to cast her as a STRIPPER, and yet feel a fatherly closeness to her... what's the point in denying the male race (and a majority of the female race, too!) of this luscious beauty's assets? Whatever, I digress. Enough about Portman being naked. I will get the DVD if it has 'deleted scenes' or whatever in it. Maybe.
This movie only works if the leads can carry the responsibility of bringing the off-kilter dialogue to life. And they do, for the most part. There are some scenes that work wonderfully, thanks to Owen, Portman,
Law, and even Roberts. The opening scene with Alice catching eyes with Dan before she crosses the street, then getting run over (for looking the wrong way - she's an American caught in Europe's left-lane traffic), then looking up at him after she awakens and says, "Hello stranger" is charming. Even more charming is the next few scenes where they get to know more about one another.
Throughout a series of unexpected time transitions, we come to realize that these four people are not only unsure of where they stand with their significant other at any given moment, but they end up playing games of lies and half-truths, causing rifts in each couples' trust and commitment to the other. If you're into the kind of drama that makes you ask yourself what these people are really saying to each other by not mentioning what should be said, you'll probably have a good time with Closer, since each one of them have their own methods to managing their reaction to what has happened between these missing time sequences.
I'm most happy to see Portman trying to get back into doing real acting for a change. These last few years I've lost a lot of love for her onscreen performances. When I saw The Professional years ago, I
was sure that this was a child actor that was going to grow into not only a beautiful woman, but an even more impressive actress. Then I saw Beautiful Girls, recognized her in the ever so brief appearance in
Heat and still liked her, but was waiting for her to take the reins into a realm of more spectacular filmmaking. Instead I got stuck with Anywhere But Here, Where the Heart Is, and a really shitty
performance with Queen Amidala - the latter isn't entirely her fault, I'll give her that much. No one shines in the Lucas prequels.
I was just about to give up on her until I saw Garden State this year, and she kicked some dramatic actor ass, then followed up with the more adult undertaking in Closer. Maybe she isn't just picking up
some checks on the side while she does her college thing, pursuing the career she really cares about! Amen!
As for the rest... Jude Law's movie-of-the-week is better than Sky Captain, but I haven't seen Alfie and I'm guessing this one is better. He's been in no less than six movies this year, but he's a nice face with acting chops to go with it. Clive Owen is solid as a rock, and truly questionable in a good way as to why he does what he does throughout the film. Then, there's Julia Roberts, who I'm only grateful for choosing to be in something that isn't forcing her to make that horsemouth smile every five minutes, and she's the most reserved of the bunch. She was competent, but I still say she was best in Erin Brockovich, so help me I liked it! However, she didn't blow my socks off, and I wouldn't say
countless others out there couldn't have done any worse or better.
So, what's the final verdict? I didn't like any of these people very much, which made it difficult sometimes caring about what happens to them. Perhaps if I knew beforehand that these were people that were pretty
despicable, then it would have helped my attitude of what to expect going into it.
If you're going to watch Closer, be ready to watch a play that tries to savor its' dark humor and frank sexual discussion for not just the shock value, but to drive a point home. The point is that, well,
without ruining too much... telling the truth and knowing where you stand with someone isn't always as simple as it seems. I liked Closer, and recommend it for those looking for an unpolished character study
piece. It is flawed, but far from a disaster.
Grade: B-
Reviewed: 12/03/04