Review of Closer (2013) by Blake P — 03 Jun 2014

Dan: Didn't fancy my sandwiches?

Alice (Natalie Portman): Don't eat fish.

Dan (Juse Law): Why not?

Alice (Natalie Portman): Fish piss in the sea.

Dan (Jude Law): So do children.

Alice (Natalie Portman): Don't eat children either.

Initially I wanted to see this because of the cast, then I saw a bit of the film where Anna (Julia Roberts) and Larry (Clive Owen) were arguing over their divorce papers and I was kind of turned off by Robert's acting. But it came on the telly again and I figured why not. I'm glad I gave another shot because Natalie Portman, who plays "Alice" was amazing. Jude Law was alright and Julia Roberts could have done better (I think she was ill fit for the part to be honest); Clive Owen was astonishing. Normally in the previous films I've seen him in, his characters tend to be pretty heroic or at least straight laced but in this one he was completely neurotic and it scared me; I mean, he was good, I saw "Larry" instead of Clive Owen acting as Larry. After Portman, he was the best thing about the film and totally worth tuning in for. The story was interesting enough, especially for a film where all the characters were basically awful examples of human beings with very little redeeming qualities in each of them; which makes you feel sorry for them because in the end, underneath all their wealth status or what-have-you, they are just all poor, lonely and lost souls (maybe with the exception of Larry). But it's kind of sad really, they are all kind of pathetic. The conclusion was a surprise but somehow satisfying; if you're looking for happily ever after folks, [SPOILERS!!!] this ain't the film for you.