[7]

Closer features some of the most incredible dialogue I’ve heard in a long time, and the cast are all rock-solid in what boils down to a messy four-way of sexual and romantic entanglement. It’s a slick, polished, elegant film from Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Working Girl, Primary Colors). What keeps me from reveling in such a well made film is the subject matter. Closer is a relentless exploration of the jealousy that consumes us and the horrible head games we play with people we love. While the movie is undoubtedly true to life, I have a hard time feeling empathy for characters who play these kinds of games. When they hurt each other, make up, hurt each other again, and make up again, I find my patience and my suspension of disbelief stretched to the limit. Clive Owen and Natalie Portman were both Oscar nominated for their roles. With Julia Roberts and Jude Law.