Clive Owen, Colin Stinton, Jude Law

The relationships of two couples become complicated and deceitful when the man from one couple meets the woman of the other.

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80% liked it

107,551 ratings

Critics

69% liked it

188 critics

R, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Mike Nichols

Release Date: December 3, 2004

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DVD Release Date: March 29, 2005

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Flixster Reviews (15,035)


  • April 23, 2009
    "If you believe in love at first sight, you never stop looking."

    The relationships of two couples become complicated and deceitful when the man from one couple meets the woman of the other.

    REVIEW

    Mi...( read more)ke Nichols' version of the play "Closer" is one of 2004s most engrossing films with its sharp dialogue and astonishing performances. Everything about this film cuts to the core of the viewer. We watch as two couples, both formed by chance meetings find themselves involved in adultery and manipulation. Each character claims to love their companion, but at the same point they are willing to use them for sexual gratification and deceit. The performances by Jude Law, Julia Roberts and Natalie Portman are sterling. However, the best comes from Clive Owen who delivers his dialogue with such ferocity that he strikes at the audience as well. You cannot help but be taken aback by how emotionally charged and powerful Owen's acting is?certainly worth his award for Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes and his Oscar nomination, as well.
  • April 9, 2009
    It's absolutely brillant. It's sexually taunt, riveting, funny and electrifying. Powerful and extroadinary. Terrifically directed, expertly written and acted to superb perfection. A great, raw, magnificent and provoctative drama. A devilishly entertaining love story for adults th...( read more)ats almost pure perfection. Jude Law is brilliant, he gives the best performance of his career. Julia Roberts is sensational. Natalie Portman is excellent. Clive Owen is a powerhouse, a fantastic performance that I think is the best in the film. Each one of these actors strips their characters down to bare bones of emotions, each giving an incrediable performance.
  • January 12, 2009
    **Spoiler warning**
    While I am sure all who have read the play will agree with me, I take leave to point out that 'Closer' is an exceptionally difficult film to review. It's powerful, it's saddening, it's partially witty, and it just IS all the time. To write about a play/film t...( read more)hat just happens to be everything at once all the time, I have found stupendously difficult.

    There are only four characters; three of whom are in their middle to late thirties, and one of whom starts off as the outcast; a twenty - one year old girl named Alice. Though the story draws itself over some four years, and thus, Alice does not stay a twenty - one year old, she remains at all times the outsider. She is a stripper, while the others are respected professionals. She is young and ignorant, her contemporaries are fifteen years older and (or so it would seem) have a wider knowledge of the world. She, unlike the older cast members, does not feed off the emotions of her sexual partner. Her only want in life is to be loved for the troubled young woman that she is.

    All the characters deal with the body in their line of work, though they are separated into two groups: Larry is a dermatologist, Dan writes obituaries. Anna is a photographer, Alice is, as we have established, a stripper. The men in the play examine the human body, the women glorify it. Personally, they are also divided. Dan and Alice see the emotional side of sexuality, while Anna and Larry are physical, almost technical in their view of relationships. Dan and Alice's parents are dead (Dan's father dies some way into the story), Anna and Larry have the opportunity to meet the family of the other. The ones who cannot receive emotional assistance are the ones that need it most. The reader/observer gets the feeling that, had Dan and Alice simply stayed together instead of 'mixing in' with the other couple, all would have worked out. But the technical and the emotional come together, clash, and break all the relationships completely.

    Eventually Dan, Anna and Larry realise that it was Alice who was unifying them through the years (this is way more apparent in the stage play). She became an object so that others could benefit. She was the subject of Dan's book, the model for Anna's photography project and the stripper for Larry. She helped them find their identities because she herself had none.

    Top - notch acting, powerful directing, good adaptation of the play. Will remain a favourite for years to come.

    *Note to those who've read/seen the play AND seen the movie*: Why do you think they changed the ending like that? I think the play's ending was absolutely perfect ... really sums up the point Marber made with the whole revolving around Alice thing ...
  • December 29, 2008
    i couldn't tell jude law or clive owen apart! they look like long lost twins. so natalie portman was still trying to deal with the clone army! a different take on relationships and love. a bit like a more modern sex, lies and videotape
  • December 28, 2008
    Very odd movie...I liked it though.
  • November 5, 2009
    Closer is a waste of film. It's crap with gorgeous people.
  • November 4, 2009
    really remarkable script with Vulgar language . jude ,,clive.. natalie and julia their acting is top notch..they are incredible.
    they played the following role:
    writer Dan (Jude Law),
    ex-stripper Alice (Natalie Portman),
    photographer Anna (Julia Roberts)
    and dermatologist Lar...( read more)ry (Clive Owen..the story revolved in this 4 individuals
    complicated relationship with each other.Natalie Portman in this film was smokin hot and sexy.
    I was extremely impressed with this film.
  • November 4, 2009
    super EQUIS! no vale queso!
    Lo unico rescatable: La rolita " The Blower's Daugther".
  • November 3, 2009
    i dont like movies based on adultry
  • October 29, 2009
    !Comercial or Stupid! :|

Critic Reviews


May 3, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

Competently acted, theatrically staged. full review

March 14, 2005
Kurt Loder, MTV

Portman, with her big, eager eyes and knowing, seductive smile ... lifts the movie up to another level. full review

March 7, 2005
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Vibrates with eroticism, bruising laughs and dynamite performances from four attractive actors doing decidedly unattractive things. full review

December 11, 2004
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

There's not an American filmmaker who better understands the scheming perversity and self-deception lurking beneath our passions. full review

December 11, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

There's a creepy fascination in the way these four characters stage their affairs while occupying impeccable lifestyles. full review

December 7, 2004
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker

Owen alone, in Closer, rises to the challenge. full review

December 3, 2004
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Feels so remote that it renders itself inconsequential. full review

December 3, 2004
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

It's written and filmed with great intelligence, and performed fearlessly. full review

December 2, 2004
David Edelstein, Slate

I have to confess: I love it when big movie stars talk dirty. full review

December 2, 2004
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

In spite of the teasing promise of its title, Mike Nichols's deft drama does everything it can to push you away. full review

View more Closer reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • volkanbaki
    September 17, 2008
    just ı will watch
  • ashfaqshaikh1
    July 19, 2008
    U HAVE NEVER SEEN LIKE THIS ???
    JUST PRESS THIS LINK AND ENJOY IT
    http://www.subhehogayimamu.com/?um=407
  • haninab
    April 6, 2008
    how can s.o plays with the others emotions?how can you be in love with s.o while sleeping with another one? any way the crew were great esp. jude law & julia roberts.
  • fairyfray
    October 18, 2007
    On of the best movies I've ever seen. Shows the side of relationships no one wants to talk about.
  • simpleparkyatzil
    October 16, 2007
    Es muy buena pelicula, aunke al final Jude se keda solito, pero tambien se lo tiene merecido, es una buena combianción de muchos sentimientos, ademas tiene muchas cosas para analizar, desde que hay muchas tomas en close up, las tonalidades en los escenarios, es genial!
  • kulsoomkhan1
    October 6, 2007
    The concept of movie that"Love is never ez its full of complications..." has been developed beautifully...! All the actors have done justice to their roles,,,
  • chlorow7
    July 15, 2007
    The score is great. Damien Rice is brilliant! CLOSER is right to the point & true in so many ways! Loved this movie!
  • terris85017
    June 9, 2007
    uMMM....to clarify the title of the theme song is "The Blower's Daughter" by Damian Rice, including with original music video...and also a montage with the movie and one of the video clips on your left on THIS page! Great talent!!
  • terris85017
    June 9, 2007
    Love the music video by Damian Rice (contained inDVD) "The Blower's Daughter"...and the line....And so it is...It's like you said it would be..no fame no glory..most of the time"
    Flixster - Share Movies
    (2004 Director Michael Nichols) Based on a hit Broadway Play. Passionate performances are stellar in this movie by ALL! I gained new respect for each of these actors. I believed they were torn apart by their passions: Jude Law, Clive Owen, Natalia Portman and Julia Roberts BRAVO!! [SEE VIDEO CLIPS!]
  • VampireGeek
    May 14, 2007
    Is full of deciet and shows that life isn't just a happy ending

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