Closer (Superbit Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Closer (Superbit Edition)
Movie Review: Amazing!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had high hopes for this movie, and yet, before seeing it I began to wonder if it really would be all that good. Well, as soon as the credits rolled, and the lights came up, every single high hope I had was met.
The story itself is fairly simple, focusing on a small cast, keeping all parts equal, and giving each character a good chance at depth. The actors take those roles, mearly frames at first, and give them depth, power. Each look, each glance, hints at another dark secret that is locked away in the character's minds. I have to say, the cast was amazing, especially Natalie Portman, who sheds her good girl image, and dives head first in to a dark, and challenging role. If this doesn't cement her as one of the strongest actresses out there, then I don't know what will. Julia Roberts takes a very different character from anything I've ever seen her play in the past, and keeps her real. Her character is weak, with a strong outer shell. That inner vulnerability is captured so well. Clive Owen was the perfect actor for his part, hitting every hard edged emotional note. The weakest performance, and I'm using this term loosely, due to the fact that it was still an amazing performance, was Jude Law, playing a character who really is never fully grounded. It is less because of his acting skills, and more because the character himself is so flighty (intentionally) that I could never really get in to what he wanted.
The direction is strong, making every scene a joy to watch. The lighting is top notch, especially in more out there scenes, such as the strip club, and the music blends with the situations so well, that it seems to be a fifth actor in the room, helping magnify all the other performances.
I would highly recommend this movie. While the story is not happy, it is very well told, and one of the few truelly adult, mature films I have seen in a long time.
Movie Review: Natalie Can Play a Good Character into Fantastic Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Damien Rice might have written the song for the movie, maybe not but it fit perfectly, if not in the beginning than definetly in the ned, making the movie that muhc more powerful to see how sad it all is. If it just seems like another movie with snippy love triangles than the difference here is, besides the UNBELIEVABLE cast, that there are only four people in the movie. Literally four people that the camera focuses on. This is draws the audience that much closer (no pun intended) to the characters and movie.
After the first time I saw it I had a couple of questions i really needed answered, as is with most movies, and I think the second time made it easier to understand the chaging scenes and going abck forth through time, and I guess the main point of the movie is to portray how powerful attraction and love is for one's happiness. Jude Law and Julia Roberts are amazing in this movie, certainly may not be their best stuff, but they are uncomparable to Natalie Portman and Clive Owen. Clive, it seems, is the only happy person by the end of the movie, at the same time the most pathetic, at the same time the only person who understands anything. Julia is still unhappy and confused of what would make her happy, one relationship is for passion and attraction, while the other is the right way to stay stable and protected. Torn at the end, Jude is left with no one because of his own mistake, and while Natalie may be the most remembered character from the movie, she is certianly the biggest mystery. Why didn't she expose her real name? And when did she stop loving Jude, if she ever actually loved him at all.
Reviews don't really give off the intensity of such a terrific movie becaue it just sounds like a bunch of sappy lines. It will keep you thinking a little more, like Garden State did, like Eternal Sunshine may have, like In Good Coompany probably wanted to.
Movie Review: Closer anything but close
Summary: 5 Stars
CLoser is an amazing story, told in a beautiful context. The actors, were supurb, especailly Natlie Portman and Jude Law. This is the kind of movie, where if you turn away for a second, to go to the bathroom, your gonna be lost. You need to pay attention. It's also not a kid's movie, though it does not really show anything, it does say quite alot of mature things. It's a complicated, twisted, sad story, but also very, true to life. I mean when has a realtionship ever really been simple?
The way they portrayed this movie, I loved. The opening sequence, WOW! It toally blew me away. Another great thing, is there's nothing to distract you from the story, in this movie. There's no background music, all there is, is the raw emotion, of the characters. The only music, is at the opening sequence and closing sequence. Same song at both. I think that is a very smart idea.
The story follows, 4 characters. Dan (Jude Law), Alice (Nataile Portman), Anna (Julia Roberts), and Larry (Clive Owen). It shows how connected, and twisted they all become, over the course of time. Really, it's amazing how connected these people, wether they know it or not. It's sickenly twisted, but not enough so you can't help but want to see nore. From, one meeting, between Dan and Anna, it changes all of them, forever. It shows every angle of a relationship, that has been torn apart by infidelity. From the cheater, to the cheated-on, and then how they can switch rolls, without a thought of how it made them feel. In the end no one, is really left happy.
It has some excellent acting. And it really makes you think about your own relationships, and what they will become/are, and what is love really?
I highly recomend it to anyone, who enjoys a good thoughtful drama, with some twisted situations, and raw human emotion.
Movie Review: Openers and Closers
Summary: 5 Stars
CLOSER has entered that rarefied atmosphere of those films being considered that finest of 2004. From the extraordinary writing by Patrick Marber (based on his own play by the same name) to the impeccable direction by Mike Nichols tot he fine ensemble acting by Jude Law, Clive Owen, Natalie Portman and Julia Roberts, this film is a brilliant multifaceted jewel.
CLOSER (as is so often the case in the English language) as a word can have two meanings: 'closer' as in moving toward, and 'Closer' as in the final word in a conversation or deed. For this reviewer I see the latter as the true meaning of the title of this intriguing story of passion, drama, love, and abandonment among two couples - no, four disparate and desperate people. Serendipity plays a major role in the way these people meet, react with passion, respond, mate, break up, rejoin, and search for the meaning of love in a time when the blur between sex and love has polarized our understanding of relationships.
Each of the four actors in this turbulent tale gives outstanding performances and it would be difficult to assign the 'best actor' among them. But more important than their individual achievements is the utter commitment to ensemble acting that Nichols demands and gets. The cinematography is mesmerizing and the music scoring not only introduces a fine signature song that opens and closes the film, but also the movie uses Mozart's "Cosi van tutte" as the ongoing background music. Those familiar with the parallel story of the opera with the film will appreciate the subtleties even more, but the radiant singing by Renee Fleming and Anne Sophie von Otter suffuses this film with a special glow. Highly recommended on every level.
Grady Harp
Movie Review: Tales of Ordinary Madness
Summary: 5 Stars
I read a review that referred to "Closer" as "Neil Labute lite." I don't think this comparison is fair at all. Labute's ("In The Company of Men", "Your Friends and Neighbors") films are populated by sadists, sociopaths, and disconnected doormats. The characteres in "Closer", although far from admirable, are, for the most part, fairly ordinary and easy to relate to. Which, in my opinion, makes their behavior all the more captivating and unsettling.
The film begins when obituary writer Dan (Jude Law) meets and falls for stripper Alice (Natalie Portman). What starts out as a tender romance gets complicated when Dan gets his picture taken for his novel (ironally based on Alice's life) and feels an instant attraction to photographer Anna (Julia Roberts). Although attracted, Anna resists his advances at first, and ends up involved with dermatologist Larry (Clive Owen), who Dan inadvertantly introduces Anna to. However, after a while, Anna gives into her feelings for Dan, and the result is that the four characters end up in a subtle yet dirty power struggle to preserve their relationships and pride.
Filled with scathing, sharp dialogue, and intense, difficult emotional exchanges, "Closer" explores the mix of tenderness, attraction, jealousy, power, competition and need that make up modern romantic and sexual relationships. Mike Nichols' direction is seamless, letting his four talented (and beautiful) leads flesh out their characters wonderfully. Natalie Portman is particularly excellent (her strip-club powerplay scene with Clive Owen is my favorite scene in the film) avoiding all the cliches and creating a character who is both innocent and jaded, manipulative and naive. "Closer" may be my favorite film of the year. Bravo.