Review of Closer (2004) by Nadira I — 20 Dec 2010

"I love you, and I need a piss."Director: Mike NicholsStarring: Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Clive OwenRunning time: 98 minutesCountry: USACloser is an amazing example of a film involving relationships, sexual education and also divorce, marriage and betrayal.

This film was very inspiring to me because they are all four completely different kinds of people who have different professions but when each turns nasty or betrays they all become the same and it affects all four of them and relationships change and swap around quite regularly.

By watching Closer it feels like watching a soap opera like EastEnders, Home And Away, Coronation Street etc. All four people are aiming to find what they would like to achieve in the future. It was very heartbreaking too because if one reveals something to someone then that could change not only their lives but hurt other peopleThe relationships of two couples become complicated and deceitful when the man from one couple meets the woman of the other people's feelings.

The cast is absolutely fantastic which is one of the reasons why I knew I was going to love it. Julia Roberts was good as professional photographer Anna. I love her performances in Pretty Woman, Notting Hill and Erin Brockovich but in my own personal opinion this is a performance that didn't bring very much force towards Anna's character.

Jude Law has been in some crap apart from this and Cold Mountain and probably The Talented Mr. Ripley. Dan is a sweet man but is a bit of a slimeball. Dan lives with his girlfriend Alice but when he meets Anna twists and turns start to happen.

Clive Owen's performance was fantastic as Dr. Larry. Clive has given the performance of his career. His character was very slimy because he acts nice at times but acts like a pervert and an abuser to women.

His character was very powerful because he has a nasty side to his personality. It is bad especially because he's a doctor and a surgeon. He marries Anna and acts all nice but when she decides to leave him he changes back to who he was before.

Natalie Portman was fantastic too in this masterpiece as Alice. Alice is a young girl who has a bit of a muddled and mixed up life but her life gets slightly worse after separating with Dan. She is a stripper in a strip club where Larry finds her.

Mike Nichols directs this film very well with trying to bring this story to life. The directing was very good with a lot of moving camera angles. The script is absolutely fantastic because it was very powerful with lots of bad language particularly with graphic sexual dialogue.

The reality of Closer is that this is how some relationships work. There are instant attractions, betrayals and going separate ways in the future. That happens with some relationships but not all of them.

This film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Clive Owen) but lost to Morgan Freeman in Million Dollar Baby and Best Supporting Actress (Natalie Portman) but lost to Cate Blanchett in The Aviator.

This film won two Golden Globes too: Best Supporting Actor (Clive Owen) and Best Supporting Actress (Natalie Portman). Closer was nominated for Best Picture Drama but lost to The Aviator, Best Director (Mike Nichols) but lost to Clint Eastwood in Million Dollar Baby and Best Screenplay but lost to Sideways.

This is my favourite film of 2004, my favourite Clive Owen film, my favourite Natalie Portman film. It isn't my favourite Julia Roberts film. She is better in Pretty Woman, Notting Hill and Erin Brockovich.

Jude Law's best is still Cold Mountain. I have to say that this is the best film with a really excellent side to how relationships work in real life. Masterpiece!!