Cast
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Jude Law
as Dan
Natalie Portman
as Alice
Julia Roberts
as Anna
Clive Owen
as Larry
Colin Stinton
as Customs Officer
Nick Hobbs
as Taxi Driver
Steve Benham
as Car Driver (uncredited)
Elizabeth Bower
as Chatty Exhibition Guest (uncredited)
Daniel Dresner
as Coughing Man (uncredited)
Rrenford Junior Fagan
as Bus Passenger (uncredited)
Antony Gabriel
as Luke (uncredited)
Michael Haley
as Smoking Man (uncredited)
Selena Mars
as Traveler (uncredited)
Steve Morphew
as Bartender (uncredited)
Peter Rnic
as Bodyguard (uncredited)
Crew
Director
- Mike Nichols
Producer
- Cary Brokaw
- Mike Nichols
- John Calley
Reviews
tmdb39513728
**Menage a Quatre**
You may like _Closer_ because of its flawed characters and their doomed relationships. I like it because it's square. The assorted combinations of love and friendship, scorn and resentment, among two males and two females are literally geometrical. Typically, the dependable love triangle pits three characters together, often a heterosexual convention establishing a male lead zig-zagging between two females, or a female lead choosing between two male suitors. What if we include an extra character? How many triangles can be made with four individuals? Four! And _Closer_ expertly covers them all. Next time you see it, draw out a square with each character occupying a corner. Then connect each of the couplings and triangles as they occur, beginning with Julia-Jude-Natalie. Jude falls for Natalie, introduces her to Julia who gets intimate with her camera. The Jude-Clive-Julia triangle is a clever one. Clive is introduced when Jude seduces him online pretending to be Julia who he meets at the aquarium. Often when a movie script or stage play adheres to a strict formula, it turns out flat and predictable. Not _Closer_. Applying a quadrangular network forces each character to cover all the bases, tagging up every way possible, pushing each juncture to the limit.
Feb 4, 2015
CinemaSerf
Writer "Dan" (Jude Law) likes to spend his evenings, when not with his American girlfriend "Alice" (Natalie Portman), teasing other blokes on sex-chat sites. One night he sets up doctor "Larry" (Clive Owen) with a promise to meet at the aquarium with "Anna". The horned up physician duly turns up, only to discover that meantime "Dan" has vengefully despatched the real "Anna" (Julia Roberts) - his part time lover/photographer, to unknowingly meet him instead. Embarrassed looks, sighs and "Larry" feels like a prat but, maybe the outwardly rather aloof "Anna" is interested? What now ensues is all a bit entertainingly far-fetched as an unwitting ménage-à-quatre emerges, becoming increasingly more intimate, then loving, then manipulatively toxic. Are any of these people destined to find happiness with any of the others. Quite frankly, do they deserve it and do we care? I've always found Owen as wooden as a washboard, but here - especially sharing the screen with an on-form Portman, he actually seems to be able to act (a little). His character, I found, comfortably the most odious of the four. Portman is the star of the show, though. Her portrayal of the needy sex kitten vacillates from provocative to desperate with a compelling ease. There's frequently some vitriol in the writing and the juggled storylines well paced as this story of unlikeable people moves along quickly. I think this might work well on stage, it has a characterful intensity to it, but on screen it's well worth a watch - even if it's all a pretty grim appraisal of human behaviour.
Apr 21, 2024
Narate
"_What's so great about the truth? Try lying for a change, it's the currency of the world._"
Unpleasant people: The movie! I couldn't believe I hadn't seen this yet and now that I have I have 2 thoughts. First thought is that these 4 really did acted their parts well in this and second... I felt nothing for them by the end.
Jan 1, 2025
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Closer examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Mike Nichols brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2004, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Closer took approximately 3 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $27.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 104 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 140 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The screenplay went through 13 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 8 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2004, when this film is released:
- Digital technology was disrupting traditional media and entertainment.
- Social media platforms were beginning to transform communication.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Closer shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Replacement, which focuses more on action than character development, Closer subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Hero and Chicago explore similar territory, Closer stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: December 3, 2004
- Runtime: 1h 44m
- Budget: $27,000,000
- Revenue: $115,505,027
Where to Watch
