Closer 2004

Critics score:
68 / 100

Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes

Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press: If it makes you uncomfortable, or leaves you disturbed, it has only done its job. Read more

Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: Closer struggles formidably to come up with something to say about modern-day relationships, but all you're left with is the struggle. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: It's written and filmed with great intelligence, and performed fearlessly. Read more

Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune: It's a pleasure to see material this intelligent, a cast this inspired -- and Nichols in his Carnal Knowledge prime, operating with cold, silky expertise. Read more

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper: One of the most viciously insightful relationship films this side of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Read more

Bob Longino, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: This is director Mike Nichols' best theatrical effort in years. Read more

Scott Tobias, AV Club: Closer, a lacerating four-character suite on the elusiveness of love and intimacy, finds Nichols returning to his roots without having lost his sardonic edge. Read more

Bill Muller, Arizona Republic: Next to Closer, most on-screen relationships seem too neat and polite, with tears shed only for effect, and feelings bruised but never really damaged. Read more

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: At 73, Nichols is in peak form. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: It's all dressed up but, frankly, it's got nowhere of interest to go. Read more

Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle: In Closer, a searing drama that dares speak the truth about modern adult relationships, it's hard to distinguish between sincere emotion and manipulation, between true caring and heartless self-interest. Read more

Paul Clinton (CNN.com), CNN.com: It has a lot to say about the human condition and what we're willing to go through in order to find and keep love. Read more

Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post: Its meditation on power may not be everyone's cup of tea. But for those who prefer Earl Grey to camomile it works a dark magic. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: It does shock, I should say, in the way of men and women doing their psychological worst and most ruthless to push away those they have previously pulled close. Read more

Rick Groen, Globe and Mail: Essentially, this whole picture is a tombstone to love. Read more

Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News: With crackling dialogue, Closer reaches out and grabs all but the most reluctant viewer. Some spectators will be bored, but more will be shaken and stirred. Read more

John Anderson, Newsday: Bad Pinter meets bad Updike, dancing to the rat-a-tat rhythms of an ER episode. Read more

David Ansen, Newsweek: [A] chilly, caustic, foul-mouthed anatomy of modern romance. Read more

Ken Tucker, New York Magazine/Vulture: Nichols is back, his instincts for intimacy as cutting as ever... Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: It's not emotional closeness these connection junkies want. It's merely to close the deal and seal another conquest. Read more

Jack Mathews, New York Daily News: Despite four very strong performances, Closer is hard emotional work to sit through. Read more

A.O. Scott, 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. Read more

Andrew Sarris, New York Observer: An extremely well-executed entertainment exclusively for grown-ups. Read more

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel: This smart and unsettling new Mike Nichols relationship drama follows two couples through the back alleys of love and commitment, with tour guides who don't seem to grasp what those words mean. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Not to be missed. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: There's a creepy fascination in the way these four characters stage their affairs while occupying impeccable lifestyles. Read more

Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com: Feels so remote that it renders itself inconsequential. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: Closer has clever dialogue and scenes that are alive to all the treachery and nuance of sexual intrigue. Read more

David Edelstein, Slate: I have to confess: I love it when big movie stars talk dirty. Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: There's not an American filmmaker who better understands the scheming perversity and self-deception lurking beneath our passions. Read more

Peter Howell, Toronto Star: There are moments in Closer when the truth not only hurts, it claws the skin away. Read more

Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine: Funny, hurtful, splendidly acted. Read more

Dave Calhoun, Time Out: Owen and Portman give excellent, committed performances, leaving Law and Roberts in the shade. Read more

Claudia Puig, USA Today: Closer offers a bleak though thought-provoking take on relationships. The challenge for the viewer is in caring enough to become invested in characters who seem hellbent on hurting one another. Read more

Todd McCarthy, Variety: Like dramas by Pinter and others, what seems trenchant and perfectly pitched in the theater can come off as arch even when skillfully transferred to film. Read more

Dennis Lim, Village Voice: More than three decades after the frank sex-talk of Nichols's early triumphs, Closer offers only a cozy and barely fashionable cynicism. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: Sure, there's a rubber-necky attraction to watching these good-looking, half-baked creations living anguished, photogenic lifestyles. But it's unclear if we're supposed to feel engaged. Read more

Stephen Hunter, Washington Post: It's about getting closer, but the hurting part is about getting farther. Read more