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Eli Cash on Mike Nichols' CLOSER!!!
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
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+ Expand All
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I'm Rick James Beeeyatch!!!
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Much love Harry. Let's get high.
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The marketing focusing on Keira Knightley and that whole Warrior Queen bullshit hurt the film, not to mention a sanitized PG rated version of an originally R rated film. Had the marketing focused on hacking and slashing and Clive Owen, the film might have done a bit better. Disney fucked up by wanting this film to be this year's PIRATES OF THE CARIBEAN - this film will sputter to 50 million domestic. Had it been an R rated BRAVEHEART cut, the film might have made 100 million.
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I'm hoping Clive doesn't become the next big thing because he's too good an actor to be in dumb hollywood blockbusters. He ruled in "Croupier" and did quiet, respectable work in "Bourne Identity" and "Gosford Park." He's the next Terrence Stamp. And I mean that in a good way.
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My guess is he doesn't like Natalie. Just for the sake of not liking every fanboys wet dream. Any other thoughts? ANYBODY?
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Aug 05, 2004 9:51:20 AM CDT
Fuck you Spacesheik ... here's the real reason KING ARTHUR flopp
by phanboi
Check this http://www.keira-knightley.org/multimedia/pictures/Movies/KingArthur/30.jpg See? NO BOOBAGE! Then check the poster: http://www.keira-knightley.org/multimedia/pictures/Movies/KingArthur/40.jpg See: BOOBAGE! We all have been TRICKED. Ya can hardly call Knightley a woman. Fucking marketing people. To quote Bill Hicks: Do us all a favor and kill yourself. Fuckin SUITS.
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the fact that this was filmed and then CUT at her request just proves that she is an unprofessional cock-tease. this scene had better get leaked on the net! a pink wig and thong just wont do it.
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I keep hoping it's a Mamet-penned sequel to "Glengarry Glenn Ross" that follows the Alec Baldwin character. And then I get pissed when I remember it isn't. "Put... the coffee... down."
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hahaha
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Because only Americans make syntax errors, right? Quadrangle's an actual word, by the way, so while this reviewer may not know his math, it wasn't that dumb of an insert. At least he doesn't show any signs of a clanlike mentality (fucking retarded Am...), which is more than I can say for you.
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I don't know about this movie; I'm, like Harry, a fan of the 3 actors in this piece I assume he's talking about, and I have no objections to Julia Roberts. Mike Nichols has a tremedous pedigree, but it's also tremendously spotty, most frequently when he tries too hard to straddle the line between art and viable commerce ('What Planet Are You From?' being the latest, greatest example). I'm interested in seeing it just to understand the details of this love quadrangle, and some of the things that Natalie Portman and Jude Law have said about their characters make it seem like a few hours well-spent. This is a movie that I'm gonna wait to hear more word on before I decide whether or not I'm going.
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..."infidelitee" meaning the victim of an act of infidelity. Actually quite brilliant.
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The INTERESTING thing about this movie is that's it based on a PLAY for just four people that did sensationally well in London in the late nineties. The original production, at London' National Theatre, actually starred CLIVE OWEN, but the twist here is that he's not playing the character he originated on stage (Dan); he's now playing Larry, who is quite different, and of course, older. Will be interesting to see how he makes the switch. Law strikes me as solid casting for Dan though. And I'm amused that Eli thinks he's seen Natalie Portman do her character before because Alice, who she plays, in her own eventual way unlike ANY character I've EVER seen before. What we learn about her as the thing progresses is extraordinary. I wonder if Julia, meanwhile, is doing a British accent for it. She's the wild card, in my opinion. This is definitely a brilliant script though, speaking it like it is. Bring it on.
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