IvanF's Cut and Paste, No-Name Theatrical Review of Closer 2004...

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- IvanF's Mycrowsoft Noname Brand Website -
- noname writing online since May 2002 -

"Well, I just saw "Closer" tonight at 9:30pm...and to say the least I have to say that the film was an interesting take on romantic dilemmas. As well, real props must be given to the cast of this film, Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman, Jude Law, and Clive Owen. Also, the most daring role in the film belongs to Natalie Portman's character...great acting...powerful stuff.

Anyways, the film is the latest film to be directed by Mike Nichols. As some of you may know, he has directed such hits as "The Birdcage" and "The Graduate." Also, this film was adapted from a play and written for the screen by Patrick Marber.

This little gem of a movie is about 4 young to middle aged adults who tussle with the language of love, and the extreme heartbreak that it can bring if love is not handled with care. The characters in the film are Dan (Jude Law), Alice (Natalie Portman), Anna (Julia Roberts), and Dr. Larry (Clive Owen).

The film begins with Dan and Alice walking down a crowded sidewalk in London, most likely on their way to work. At this point, neither Dan or Alice no each other, other than the eye glances that Dan keeps giving Alice and Alice's glances back. However, the two meet each other due to Alice's clumsiness of sorts when she walks into an oncoming cab. Alice is most likely impervious to the fact that she is in London where the traffic runs the opposite of North America. At this point, Dan comes rushing to the rescue to see that Alice is OK and takes it upon himself to take her to the hospital to look after her injured leg. Their first words with each other are Alice's when she says and comes to after being hit: "Hello, Stranger." She is saying this to Dan of course.

Flashing forward in the future about 4 months...Dan is being photographed by Anna for his new book that he has just published. Previously, when Dan had met Alice he was a simple obituary writer, and now he has segued into his first novel...in which he used Alice has is centerpiece of the story as well as muse. During Dan's photo session with Anna, there is some flirtation going on. Dan becomes borderlined obsessed with Anna's beauty. As well, it is at this point the the beginning of the confusion of love is seen in the film. As the characters find, nothing is as simple as it seems especially when it comes to love.

We, the audience, meet Dr. Larry the dermatologist last. We meet Dr. Larry writing on his laptop, which happens to be his first time in a sex chat room. However, it seems the receiving end of the chat is Dan. This is totally impervious to Larry, who has no idea it is a man. Larry thinks that it is Anna. Larry doesn't find any of this out until he agrees to a date at the aquarium to see Anna, in which he has also agreed to wear his white lab coat. The interplay in this scene between Anna and Larry is quite well done. The chemistry between Roberts and Owen is very real, and very humanistic. If this film ever played itself out in real life, you would think that these two people could make it together. However, I must say that the characters with the biggest flaws in this film are the men. This is because both Larry and Dan are truth seekers in different ways, they are men who know what the want who are at opposite directions of thought, yet they both know that love is the goal.

I would say that Larry is the most brute force in this film. He doesn't like to be taken for granted. He very much wants to be in a caring relationship, it's just that he doesn't exactly know how to be romantic. However, he is willing to try, no matter the frustration level. Major props to Clive Owen, wow, what a perfomance. I, for one, now understand why he would make an interesting choice to continue the Bond franchise, even if he is a tad better than Bond.

Overall, I must say that the direction of this film was suberb. As well, the acting was superb by all involved. However, I must admit that some of the situations didn't exactly engage me like a normal romantic comedy would. Now, I know this film wasn't exactly a romantic comedy, but some of the raw situations particularly between Dan and Alice I just didn't care. There situation almost seemed petty. But, I must say overall this film was good, if not great.

Therefore, I give this film a 2.5/4 stars and 7.5/10."

Film Design - 7.5
Enjoyment Factor - 7.5
Overall (not an average) - 7.5
(2.5 out of 4 stars)
- Risen Phoenix -