Susan Granger’s review of “Closer” (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
If characters are totally self-absorbed and don’t care for each other, even as friends, it’s hard for an audience to form an emotional connection with them or care about their relationships. That’s the problem with Mike Nichols’ adaptation of Patrick Marber’s acclaimed play. This intertwined “lust” story begins when Dan (Jude Law), a newspaper obit writer and wannabe novelist, rescues Alice (Natalie Portman), an American waif, after a London traffic accident. Sparks ignite. A year passes and he’s being photographed for a book cover by recently divorced Anna (Julia Roberts). Sparks ignite. Alice senses betrayal and is jealous of Anna. Then, pretending to be a woman, Dan entices Larry (Clive Owen), a boorish dermatologist, into some graphic cybersex and wickedly plays Cupid, hooking him up with enigmatic Anna. Sparks ignite. These confrontational psycho-sexual games, some more explicit and vicious than others, continue as Dan, Alice, Anna and Larry torture one another by switching and seducing one another. At times, the dynamic between these beautiful but bitter people gets very nasty and ugly. Veteran director Mike Nichols’ juggles the various time frames with consummate artistry and his subtle dramatic skill evokes memories of his first film, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1966) – but there’s no Elizabeth Taylor or Richard Burton here, although all four actors deliver unusually strong performances, particularly Clive Owen. Problem is: what works on the stage doesn’t necessarily translate to film, particularly when it comes to deception. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Closer” is an acrid, sordid 6, delineating a despicable, self-destructive foursome. Above all, this is definitely NOT a date movie – unless you’re planning to break-up.
