The Quadrangle

Issue date: 1/26/05 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Closer examines the relationships and non-relationships between two couples. It is a movie about the dynamics of relationships. Jude Law plays a journalist in a new relationship with Natalie Portman. Jude Law's character, Dan, meets Anna, a professional photographer, as played by Julia Roberts. Dan is instantly attracted to Anna. Meanwhile, Anna thinks he is the lowest form of life because he made a pass at her. Alice, Natalie Portman's character, appears to have overheard Dan's and Anna's conversation. Plotting his revenge against Anna, Dan sets up a sexual rendezvous under Anna's name. Dan arranges for Lyle, Clive Owen, to meet Anna in a tryst, but ends up getting the two together.
The two couples meet up at Anna's photography show. From all appearances this meeting between Anna and Dan is the same as their first. Anna rebuffs all of Dan's attempts at flirtation. Dan nearly pleads with Anna to pay him some heed. Each heads back to their respective lovers. Some time later, Dan and Alice are still together, and Anna and Lyle are married. Anna is hiding something, as she slinks guiltily away from Lyle. Then she admits to having an affair with Dan since her showing, and breaks off her relationship with Lyle. Dan admits to Alice that he was having an affair with Anna. Lyle then runs into Alice at a strip club.
Later, Dan visits Lyle at his office, to apologize for any hurt that he caused him. Lyle then proceeds to play with Dan's head. Dan and Anna run into trouble in paradise, when she admits that she had sex with Lyle just so that he would sign the divorce papers. Dan and Alice get back together after his break up with Anna. Then, out of the blue she announces she's not in love with him any more.
This movie examines the effect of infidelity on relationships. Closer gives a deeper look at the parts of a relationship whole. This film certainly achieves the director's goal of giving an introspective look at infidelity.
Despite its success in achieving the goal, the acting in this film is disappointing. Clive Owen and Natalie Portman deserve their Golden Globes, but Jude Law and Julia Roberts disappoint. After his success in Cold Mountain, I expected more from Law. The character is well written, but Jude Law does not do it justice. However, his scenes with Natalie Portman carry the movie.
Natalie Portman is stellar as the insecure and slightly disturbed character Alice. She does well at the unsure, odd girlfriend. This movie combined with her performance in Garden State adds two strong performances to her repertoire. Portman's performance in Closer makes up for her long streak of movies without great success.
Julia Roberts after winning an Oscar for Erin Brockovich, was a major letdown. I was heartbroken to see such a fantastic actress struggle to light up the screen. However, once again she is helped by the performance of her co-star Clive Owen. I've never seen anything with Clive Owen in it before, but he fully deserves his Golden Globe. He is absolutely convincing at the sleazy, slightly nymphomaniac Lyle. He knows how to make the audience hate him so much, yet follow his every move.
Closer is an interesting introspective into the world of infidelity. It displays this topic, like no other film before it. It is definitely worth the seven dollar movie ticket. Clive Owen and Natalie Portman are at the top of their game, making the movie a success.

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