Hey folks, Harry here... After Eli Cash's review of this early print of Mike Nichols' holiday release, CLOSER, I have to say I'm intrigued. For one... I love 3 of the 4 leads, and films regarding adult conversations about complex adult situations... well, they appeal to me as much as Natalie Portman in a pink wig and a thong does. Seems this film has a little something for either head. I'll be sure to check it out.

Hey guys,

I have been reading since 1996, but this is the first time I have anything to contribute. I was at a screening of "Closer," a Mike Nichols film yesterday in Skokie, Illinois (20 minutes from Chicago). Nichols happened to be at the screening, although he didn't say a word. We were purportedly, one of the first audiences to see the film nationwide. Whatever.

The movie is essentially a love quad-angle between Natalie Portman-Jude Law, Jude Law-Julia Roberts, Clive Owen-Natalie Portman and Clive Owen-Julia Roberts. The relationships tend to be the focus of the movie, however, I feel that the overriding purpose of the movie is to explain how fragile relationships are - especially when infidelity is involved. In a way, I thought the movie was bore out of the conversation between Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise in "Eye's Wide Shut." Remember the conversation when they were getting high and she confessed her questions regarding the sailor and what it would be like to be with him? Very similar.

Overall, the movie was a little disconcerting. The frank conversations about cheating were life-like. Speaking as someone who has been cheated on, I could understand why the characters would ask the questions they asked, such as, "Did you Fuck Him?", "Was he better than I was?" Etc. While these questions seem so stupid to ask, the infidelitee often has a sick fascination with where he/she came up short. Reminds me of the old John Cougar Mellencamp song, "Hurt's so good!" These conversations were throughout the film, and I felt overshadowded the shallow and somewhat sappy feelings toward the love in the relationships.

To cut to the chase, the movie was a bit slow and I wouldn't have the foggiest idea as to how to market it. Julia Roberts and Jude Law were average at best. Natalie Portman's acting was decent, but in many ways this is the same character I have seen in Leon and Beuatiful Girls. You know the one I am talking about. That character that has this grand overview of life, and her part in it. She plays it well, but it gets old. She looks great, especially as a stripper. It's not everyday that you see Amidala in a thong and pink wig.

By far the best actor in the movie in Clive Owen. I know he is constantly the actor chosen "most likely to succeed," but in this movie I feel he meets his potential. He is somewhat of a sexual deviant, but you have a tendancy to feel sorry for him. His scene in a sex chat room was fairly funny, and above all he happened to convey the pain he felt better than anyone else in the cast. Plus he (Spoiler) says the choice words "Fuck you and Die," even better than Steven Segal in "Hard to Kill."

Anyway, I can't see this movie blowing anyone away. Not artsy enough for an art movie, and too much crass conversation for a mainstream movie. I admire Nichols attempt, but feel that it ends up with no one in the audience caring what really happens to any of these characters (sans owens).

Later,

Eli Cash