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December tends to bring out the big guns when it comes to film. One of the years most anticipated films, Closer, opened December 3rd and stars Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Jude Law and Natalie Portman. Based on a play written by Patrick Marber, this stylish film portrays the absolute worst in human behavior. The movie begins with a "meet cute" between Jude Law's Dan and Natalie Portman's Alice. They are walking down a crowded street gazing at each other and before they can actually meet, Alice gets hit by a car. When Alice opens her eyes and sees Dan leaning over her, she says "hello, stranger". That opening romantic scene is beautiful, and also the last romantic scene you will see throughout the film. Dan, is an obituary writer and failed author.He is dating Alice when he meets Anna (Roberts) who is hired to photograph him for his novel. Anna and Dan have an intense connection immediately. When Anna rebuffs Dan, he plays a practical joke that leads her to meet Larry (Owen). The four characters in this talky film, circle each other, sizing up potential weaknesses and operating on everything unsavory about human character. They obsess and plot revenge, forgetting about the love that they profess to each other. The acting in this film is amazing. Owen's Larry is filled with such rage that his anger leaves you shaken. Law's Dan is so weak and weaselly that its hard to picture his gleaming beautiful self playing Dickie Greenleaf in the Talented Mr. Ripley. Who would have ever thought that Jude Law could look unattractive in a film? Natalie Portman's Alice the stripper is not a surprise. Who can forget her smoldering sensuality in the Professional? This role seems like a natural course in her acting career. Julia Roberts was good, because she wasn't being "Julia Roberts" - I think she smiles less than 5 times in this movie. Closer is a disturbing film reminiscent of any film by Neil Labute. As the credits rolled your left feeling disturbed and slightly nauseous, that this could possibly be your friends and neighbors.
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