Closer
2004 · Directed by Mike Nichols
Original language: English
- drama
- romance
The story
The relationships of two couples become complicated and deceitful when the man from one couple meets the woman of the other.
What it’s like
Cool, clinical London light through rain-streaked glass, with interiors that feel like stage sets: bare walls, glossy surfaces, and the hard white glare of studio flash and gallery spotlights. Mike Nichols frames his characters in tight, tense two-shots and long, unbroken exchanges that let the talk build until it cuts. Patrick Marber's dialogue is sharp, witty and wounded, delivered at a brisk, conversational clip, with the quiet pauses doing as much work as the lines. The score is sparse and melancholic, mostly piano and strings that surface between scenes and then recede, leaving room for silence. The vibe is brittle, bitter-sweet and emotionally cool, the feeling of watching people lie to each other and themselves at close range. It suits a late-night watch alone or a grey afternoon when you want something adult and articulate. Intensity is moderate: frank sexual content and nudity, verbal cruelty and emotional betrayal, with no graphic violence. The people at its centre slowly strip away their defences, so it works best for viewers who enjoy character-driven drama about jealousy, desire and self-deception.
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