Closer Since today is the day of the Academy Awards, I thought I’d review a movie that should have at least won one of the best supporting catergories (Clive Owen and Natalie Portman were nominated)- instead (side note: I couldn’t generally remember for a moment what actually won) Million Dollar Baby carried home a lot of the gold. Patrick Marber, who wrote the play and adaptated the screenplay (god, I remember him for Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge) that deals with four people (played by the good looking foursome of Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Clive Owen and the ever lovely Natalie Portman) and their relationships ups and downs, why she would we care though? Good looking people having these issues boo hoo, go and find somebody else equally attractive, but that is the power of the writing and the performances- it draws you, you do care, you do feel emotion whether good or bad. Like I’ve said the power is in the acting Natalie Portman is a wonderful (she plays a stripper aswell!!!!) as is Clive Owen, Jude Law is probably the most charismistic he’s been since The Talented Mr. Ripley, Julia Roberts though, it doesn’t feel like she as much to do and her performance doesn’t stay on your memory for long. Things like the Internet Chat, Clive Owen called Julia Roberts a Fucked Up Slag and Natalie Portman in a thong stay in your mind for a long time.

Quality performances, writing and directing (from Mike Nichols) make this an exceptional movie for anybody who likes grown up movies. *****