Closer, the play

[mallardo]

Posted: 12/6/04 at 9:07pm

I just saw Closer, the film, and was completely underwhelmed, despite fine work from the cast - especially Clive Owen. It's difficult for me to imagine it as a Broadway play. Did anyone here see it? How did it impress you?

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 12/6/04 at 9:09pm

You were underwhelemed?

How so?

I found the film to be enchanting and powerful.
The best I've seen this year.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 12/6/04 at 9:09pm

I read it, haven't seen the film yet, or the play.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/6/04 at 9:20pm

I saw it on Broadway, haven't seen the movie yet. I thought it was well done and very well acted on Broadway. (And it is a show that depends strongly on the acting!) The interesting thing is that after every scene, the furniture was pushed to the back of the stage and so by the end of the show the stage was cluttered. It may be one of those shows that plays better live than on film. I really question the casting of Julia Roberts, but I'll reserve my judgement until I see the film.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 12/6/04 at 9:22pm

It is the only thing I have ever liked Julia Roberts in.

It's the only film I've seen that you actually forget that it's her.

She does an astonishing job.

[grownupgroupie]

Posted: 12/6/04 at 9:24pm

Well that's high praise, really...it's even in Erin Brockovich it was all Julia as Julia.

The play is so affecting and I'm looking forward to the film!!

[pab]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 12:26am

I've read the reviews of the film and I'm very curious as to what they did with it. I must say that I was very underwhelmed by this play when I saw it on Broadway. It did nothing for me and after reading all of the reviews I thought that it might be one of those movies that actually turned out better on film than it did on stage. That is also my hope for that dreck called Phantom Of The Opera.

[broadway86]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 12:34pm

The film was very good, but the performances were better. Julia, Jude, Natalie, and Clive all gave career-best performances. I'm not a Julia fan, but I was impressed with her work here.

BTW, "Phantom" is going to be an excellent movie.

[pab]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 12:40pm

"BTW, "Phantom" is going to be an excellent movie."

I really would like it to be but it would have to be better than what I saw on stage.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 12:44pm

You either give a damn about these people or you don't, I didn't. Check out Peter Nichols' PASSION PLAY, a muuuuuuuch better play dealing with the same issues.

[andyf]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 12:55pm

Pab, is that your father?

[Matt_G]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 12:57pm

Andy, you crack me up.

[pab]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 1:00pm

"Pab, is that your father?"

Are you asking about the icon? Stephen Sondheim does not have any children that I know of.

[Rypm25]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 1:56pm

Gotham, I completely forgot about the detail with the furniture cluttering up the stage. I saw the play and remember being underwhelmed by it. I dont remember much of the play except of course the online chat with the two men, and of course seeing Natasha Richardson on stage. Having missed her in Cabaret, I wasn't going to miss her again. Loved seeing her, disappointed in the play... Also, I haven't seen the movie but it's my understanding that the ending was changed. Updated On: 12/7/04 at 01:56 PM

[bwayfan3]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 8:30pm

I must say that I thought the movie was TERRIBLE. I am generally easygoing, I really like pretty much anything but this was the first movie I've been to in a long time that I considered leaving part of the way through. While I find it easy to believe that people in relationships cheat, lie, etc., I found the conversations between these people preposterous. They were so pathetic. I could not muster up sympathy for any of them. The performances were decent, although I think Natalie Portman was miscast. She, I think, is overrated.
I'm curious to know ( RYPM if you'll tell) what was different about the ending in the play?

[andyf]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 8:37pm

Ooh, I forgot about this.

At least Matt got it.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 8:53pm

i agree with Priest about Julia. I usualy hate her in her movies. I thought she was outstanding in Closer.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 8:56pm

Julia Roberts was outstanding in this film. But than again, she is one of the greatest living actresses so OF COURSE she was going to be brilliant in it.

[jmaclover]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 8:57pm

I never saw it!

I don't care much for Jude Law - I do like Julia Roberts!