Closer

(KVIFF 2024) Closer is intimate romantic drama, artfully written and with believable performances, centered around a love quadrangle and somewhat volatile 'climaxes'. All four actors do their roles to perfection, with Clive Owen nailing it the most. I was a little distracted by the time jumps at first, but you notice this almost immediately. Closer is very sensual film, without any explicit sex scenes – there’s ample use of spicy dialogue (and chats). One of the good things is that you basically have no idea until the very end how geometrical a constellation the whole story will reach. (07/05/2024)

When a relationship is a personal danger and the thought of a more serious commitment suddenly becomes unpleasant. Nichols knows how to implant an unbearable bug of uncertainty and ignorance over loved ones and thus sounds the alarm about the meaning of their search. Sometimes you just don't want to know everything about the other person, and only a minute after midnight will you realize what was the key aspect of your emotions. The mystery of the other. And then it's too late to avoid all the cruelties because no matter what you say now, nothing will ever be the same. You will lose yourself and yet still be close. By touch - but without it. Emotional mess, but cinematic perfection. (07/17/2005)

For a Hollywood film with a mainstream A-list cast, Closer is quite daring in its themes, language and depiction of sexuality. The central quartet of actors do a brilliant job, and Clive Owen in particular thoroughly enjoys his part and gives an excellent performance. I was a little put off by the fact that, with its running time and looping plot, the film, particularly in the second half, feels slightly repetitive and the jumps in time are often quite brutal. A well done dramatic chore, but I could imagine it being even more polished. [KVIFF 2024] (07/07/2024)

An intimately conceived romantic drama, clearly inspired by the theatrical version, whose success is supported by excellent dialogues, a quality screenplay, and top-notch acting performances. Since the film is based on a play, a significant part of the story takes place indoors, somewhat resembling a more expensive television production. All four of the engaged stars deserve the highest rating for their performance, although Julia Roberts lags behind just a bit. It is reliably directed by the experienced Mike Nichols, with visually appealing shots of Natalie Portman dressed as a stripper, which will be sure to attract male viewers. Compared to the theatrical version, the film concludes much more sentimentally and romantically. Overall impression: 90%. (06/21/2006)

Sexually open, but not explicit (on a verbal level only). The acting quartet is impressive, the individual actors remarkably type-matched to their characters, and the overall performance comes across as a little over-the-top in places, but impressive theatrically. Some of the dialogue is very peppy, but there’s a good deal of justification in its bluntness and crudeness if you can identify with the individual characters and empathize with their feelings, at least for a moment. A cruel, cynical, and very enlightening drama with excellent directing and outstanding performances. My first Mike Nichols. (09/28/2011)