1992

Reviews by Claire, Emma, 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.

Fausta thanks Claire for her review and photos.

Reviewed by Emma

28 March 2001

Overall rating = 5 hands

Rickman rating = 5 hands

The movie Close My Eyes is fascinating from the very beginning scenes of Owen walking past the floodlight bowling green through to the emotive wander among the autumn bonfires by the three main characters. There are numerous scenes in this movie which raise it above the ordinary, and the skilled direction, superb camera art and fabulous acting make it one of the greatest movies of the 90's. I think that Poliakoff's direction has captured the heart of this movie in ways that make the viewer fully appreciate what it is to experience the madness of London Summer heat. Owen superbly portrays the brooding and obsessive Richard, and Rickman is (as always) brilliant as the self obsessed Sinclair. The weak link in my opinion is Reeves, who didn't seem to be totally at ease with her character, but this in itself brings a whole other aspect of Natalie's personality to the screen.

All in all this movie is simply wonderful, and the sensitive subject matter aside is a must see for all fans of Rickman, Poliakoff, and all things British.

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.

Fausta thanks Jen for her review
I also must add that this is a rickmaniac must-see.
"Available to order" in VHS for $14.95 plus shipping from Videoflicks in the US (information accurate as of 20 March, 2001).

Mr. Rickman won the Best Actor award at the Seattle Film Festival for this performance.
Photo courtesy of Manuela