Film Review: Closer (2004)

Despite not being ranked among the top American directors of the 20th Century, Mike Nichols had a distinguished filmography, particularly during the late 1960s and 1970s. However, in his later years, his style and themes began to appear artificial, theatrical, and pretentious in comparison to the works of his younger contemporaries. This shift is notably evident in his 2004 drama, Closer, which marked his penultimate film.

The film is an adaptation of the award-winning stage play by British author Patrick Marber, who also penned the script. Set in London, the film follows the interwoven lives of four individuals as they navigate the tumultuous cycle of seduction, betrayal, and failed reconciliation. It begins with writer Dan White (played by Jude Law) meeting Alice Ayres (played by Natalie Portman) with whom he would start a relationship. She inspires him to write a novel, and while promoting it, he gets infatuated with photographer Anna Cameron (played by Julia Roberts), who would later marry dermatologist Larry Gray (played by Clive Owen).

The film's cast is its strongest asset, much like many of Nichols' previous works. Clive Owen delivers a particularly compelling performance, and Natalie Portman is similarly impressive. While Jude Law and Julia Roberts are adequate in their roles, their presence on the poster likely contributed significantly to the film's box office success.

Unfortunately, Nichols' inability to conceal the film's stage origins is a major drawback. The directing is uninspired, and Marber's dialogue, which might have been shocking and raw on stage, comes across as artificial and pretentious on screen. Moreover, the characters are not particularly likeable, which is a serious problem that Nichols failed to address.

A prime example of Nichols' shortcomings can be seen in the strip club scene, which fails to be either erotic or dramatic. Additionally, Nichols' mismanagement of pacing results in a film that tests the viewer's patience.

While Closer boasts a strong cast and a compelling premise, it falls short due to Nichols' outdated directing style and Marber's dialogue. The result is a pretentious and artificial film that fails to capture the drama and tension it purports to convey.

RATING: 3/10 (+)

Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com
Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/
InLeo blog https://inleo.io/@drax.leo

Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax
Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax
1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e

BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG
ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
BCH donations: qpvxw0jax79lhmvlgcldkzpqanf03r9cjv8y6gtmk9