Closer DVD Review

"CLOSER" reviews

DVD

CLOSER

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2005-10-27 22:16:49

Provider

MRIB

DVD Review

Featuring a stellar A-list cast - Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen - directed with typical acerbity by Mike Nichols and adapted from Patrick Marber's critically acclaimed play, Closer arrives with the burden of heavy expectation.

Thankfully, it delivers on every level. Concentrating exclusively on the complicated lives and loves of journalist Dan (Law), photographer Anna (Roberts), stripper Alice (Portman) and doctor Larry (Owen), Closer is a welcome antidote to the likes of Love Actually and Bridget Jones. Rather than sugarcoat any of the character's dysfunctional traits - of which there are many - the viewer is, almost voyeuristically, invited to revel in their infallibility. As a result, all involved - especially Portman in a film-stealing performance - are rendered more real, more human.

Yet, the real winner here is the startling script. Brimming with coruscating wit, a wicked honesty and laced with mordant melancholy, it stops short of moralising about the shortcomings of the film's protagonists, thus making the whole affair thoroughly believable. Which in itself is recommendation enough.

DVD bonus features are rather stingy with just a Damien Rice music video accompanying the usual scene selections and interactive menus.

Copyright © MRIB 2005.