Most American films are unremarkable, especially those that cover relationships. However, every now and then you find one that ignites something inside you with its originality. With its sleek visual style and sophisticated dialogue, Mike Nichols’ 2004 Neo Romance film Closer is just that.

I stated that the spark I got from this film came from its originality and that is a bit of a lie. It’s challenge to make a valid claim of originality when the screenplay for Closer is based upon Patrick Marber’s 1997 play of the same name. Marber also wrote the screenplay and was able to capture the same seductive sense of sensual awareness and emotional complexity as the play.