"Lying is the most fun a girl can have without
taking her clothes off...
...but it’s more fun if you do."
About two months ago, I began a self-imposed
hiatus on writing movie reviews. I was a little
tired of seeing so much crap make its way into
multiplexes and to the top of the box office
charts. I suppose I was a tad disillusioned with
the landscape of movies and I needed a superbly
written script to jog me back in to the ranks of
enthusiastic moviegoer. Well, that script lies
at the heart of Mike Nichols' new film "Closer".
Unlike many other critics, I am not typically
pessimistic about the current state of modern
filmmaking. I truly believe that more great
films are being made each year than in previous
decades. However, the unfortunate correlation is
that more crap is also being made each year. And
consumers and critics alike are forced to sift
through the drek in order to find the hidden
gems.
Golfers say that a round can often be filled
with bad shot after bad shot, but that when you
finally hit that perfect drive, all the
frustrations disappear. I suppose the same is
true with moviegoing. "Closer" is a perfect
drive for everyone involved - The stunning
cast... The veteran director... And the
tremendously fortunate members of the public
that will seek this film out in art houses
across the country in the coming weeks. It is
the kind of film that could put an end to my
temporary burn-out and have me once again
excited about the possibilities that this
magnificent art form has to offer.
Alice (Portman) meets Dan (Law) and Anna
(Roberts) meets Larry (Owen). The two British
men and two American women are all living in
London. All four are intelligent and literate,
passionate but cynical. They are all able to
articulate their emotions and thoughts in ways
that seem foreign to most movie characters.
Listening to them speak, one can't help but be
impressed with their ability to communicate. The
script in this film is absolutely fabulous,
filled with innuendo and double-entendres, wit
and intelligence.
The couples, Alice and Dan, Anna and Larry, are
linked by Anna's photography. She does
portraiture and is preparing for an exhibition.
She is hired by Dan to shoot a portrait that
will hopefully find it's way to the inside cover
of his soon-to-be published novel. He is
currently an obituaries writer.
Larry is a dermatologist who spends some of his
spare time chatting to horny "women" on the
internet. He is a says-what-he-thinks smart-ass
who somehow manages to overcome a tremendously
awkward first meeting with Anna. They are soon
married.
Alice is the mystery guest in this equation. She
used to be a stripper in New York, but escaped a
bad relationship by fleeing to London. Her rough
first meeting with Dan leads to a seemingly
loving relationship despite a ten-year age
difference.
Soon, the couples discover that they are not as
happy as they appear. Cracks emerge and the
situation leads to a switch of sorts. Anna
divorces Larry to be with Dan. Dan leaves Anna
to fend for herself, and soon she finds herself
stripping again, giving table dances to lonely
men... like Larry.
The screenplay is vicious. The couples switch
and switch back again as they lacerate each
other with dialogue meant to inflict heartfelt
pain. Some might think these are four horrible
people. Some might claim that these are good
people driven to cruelty by circumstance and
heartache. I think there may be a middle ground
in there somewhere.
The performances are all genuinely Oscar worthy.
Although it is possible that none of them can be
considered a legitimate lead character... and by
that logic none are supporting characters
either. The Academy will have a tough time
choosing and it may split the vote. I am sure
the cast will get mention for 'Best Ensemble' at
award shows that feature that category.
The two who stand out for me are Natalie Portman
and Clive Owen. Both turn in spectacular roles
filled with the gamut of emotions. Couple this
outing with hers in "Garden State" and Natalie
Portman has appeared in the two best films I've
seen all year. She will probably be my
'Entertainer of the Year'. 2004 has seen her
develop into a superb young actress who has a
legendary career ahead of her if she keeps
picking roles like these.
Clive Owen is a sleek and powerful actor who is
able to deliver lines like they are being shot
out of a cannon. When you hear him spew some of
the hateful things he says to Julia Roberts'
Anna, your own feelings will be hurt. He also
has some rather sly moments of wit and he is
able to craft them in ways reminiscent of Sean
Connery, always with a knowing glint and a
hidden smirk waiting to reveal itself.
Mike Nichols' "Closer" delivers dialogue for
intelligent adults who are clamoring for
something substantially less banal than can be
found in most Christmas fare in 2004. It will
take a few viewings to fully grasp the
complexity and layers of infidelity and betrayal
in this film. "Closer" studies the human
tendency toward self-preservation in the face of
gross deception. It is at once a condemnation of
human nature and an acceptance of it. I highly
recommend the film to all literary adults who
are fascinated by the enormous gray areas of
love, seduction, trust, infidelity and
deception. It will appeal to fans of Neil
LaBute's "In the Company of Men", "Your Friends
and Neighbors" and to Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes
Wide Shut".
© Written by TC Candler
Richard
Propes' Comment
I am a bit
surprised that I didn't connect more with this
film. I definitely am of the impression that
these characters represent "everyday"
people...sadly, I believe them to be the rule
and not the exception. I am undecided on whether
or not this "everyday" aspect is, in fact, part
of my disconnection. I partly feel as if I need
a second viewing, however, I also find myself
unmotivated for a second viewing.
Jacob
Hall's Comment
n/a
