Feb 4th
Closer**

US 2004. Columbia. 104m.

Series of mostly casual affairs between couples falling in and out of love in contemporary London.

The setting could be anywhere, as the matter-of-fact London locations are merely a background to the characters' shallow behaviour, in what is a surprisingly faithful adaptation of a coarse but coldly compelling character piece - including the notorious Internet chatroom scene - with top-notch talent (some of whom look a little uncomfortable with the material), a throwback to the director's previous Carnal Knowledge and other sex comedies of the 1960s/70s.

Written by: Patrick Marber, from his play.
Producers: Mike Nichols, John Calley, Cary Brokow.
Director: Mike Nichols.
Starring: Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen.
Photography: Stephen Goldblatt.
Music: Damien Rice, and others.
Production Design: Tim Hatley.

Preceded by:
Karin's Face**
(Swe 1984. 15m. bw; Mesmerising portrait of Bergman's mother in old photographs, looking back after her death in 1964.; d: Ingmar Bergman.)