The Rickmanista Review Index & Table of Contents
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Reviews by Claire and Jen
Photos courtesy of Claire
Reviewed by Claire
Overall rating: 5 hands
Rickmaniac rating: 5 hands
Synopsis: Set in present day, older sister falls for brother. A few years later, when she is married, she ignites the affair and the film follows the liaison and husband's gradual realisation and reaction to the relationship.
Despite the subject matter, which some may find offensive, I find it hard to contain my enthusiasm for this great Stephen Poliakoff film. The plot is well constructed, the performances of the three lead stars -- Alan Rickman, Saskia Reeves and Clive Owen -- outstanding, and the filming very evocative of a hot summer in London.
Sinclair, a part written for Rickman, is a character who seemingly has an opinion about everything a feature in stark contrast to his initial ignorance at being cuckolded.
Wonderful scenes feature the dishwasher boiling over, talking to himself in an empty supermarket and searching the wardrobe as he realises his wife is unfaithful.
You know he knows what is going on, but can't admit it. Even in the final confrontation he says "I don't want to hear it," reflecting current public opinion on the taboo subject.
For Rickmaniacs it features the earliest of the on-film Rickman bedroom scenes, the full kit-off being reserved for Reeves and Owen. It remains a great mystery, especially to ‘maniacs, that the wife finds her brother the more attractive of the two!
This film has no need of the video fast forward as it is eminently entertaining in its own right. Well deserving of the Best Film and Actor (Rickman) London Evening Standard awards it won in 1991. If you want to see Rickman in a modern day setting, this is the film, if you find the subject matter offensive, steel yourself to view it before you prejudge.
Reviewed by Jen
February 23, 2000
I was quite ready to imitate Oedipus and gouge out my own eyes to keep
from seeing any more of Natalie and Richard's antics. I don't think of
myself as a particularly sensitive person, but I must admit that British
films go much farther than I'm used to; generally I'm referring to sex
scenes, and it's nice to see Alan Rickman have his moment on screen since
he's jilted in many other films, but in the case of "Close My Eyes" this
British film also went very far, maybe even too far for comfort, with its
subject matter. Incest has just never been a turn-on for me. I was quite
ready to turn the film off until Alan finally came into the picture with the
dishwashing incident and the closet-searching scenes. That made it
bearable. The actress playing Natalie was good, and Alan was very good, but
the actor portraying her brother, Richard, was quite pathetic. Handsome in
a mafia kind of way, indeed, but aside from the cute behind - of which we
are shown far too much - there's nothing to his art. In short, only watch
the last hour of the movie, since it's the only worthwhile part. What I
wouldn't give to be her leg at the end, when Sinclair (Alan Rickman's
character) and the lovers have their last little sit-down together.
I also must add that this is a rickmaniac must-see.
Available in PAL to rent or buy; available in VHS for $14.95 plus shipping from Videoflicks in the US (information accurate as of 12 January, 2000).
Mr. Rickman won the Best Actor award at the Seattle Film Festival for this performance.
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