<p>This week, we continue our Mike Nichols miniseries with a deep dive into <em>Closer</em> (2004), joined by Sean Fennessey of <em>The Big Picture</em>. It’s a film that captivated many of us in our early 20s only to unravel under rewatch with age, perspective, and healthier emotional boundaries.</p><br><p>We unpack why <em>Closer</em> once felt like “grown-up cinema,” how its theatrical origins shape its structure, and why its four leads Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and Clive Owen are all performing at maximum intensity inside a script that might not deserve them. From the infamous strip-club scene to the messy power dynamics, contradictions, and emotional violence embedded in Patrick Marber’s writing, we ask the question: does any of this actually work?</p><br><p>Sean brings insight into Nichols’ career, the film’s mid-2000s cultural footprint (including its unexpected influence on emo/screamo lyrics), and the era’s attempt to manufacture Jude Law into Hollywood’s next megastar. And yes, we talk about Damien Rice, the Oscars, and why <em>Closer</em> remains a fascinating artistic contradiction: a film full of great performances inside a story that collapses under scrutiny.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
