IF two's company and three's a crowd, what does that make four? In the case of Closer, a fascinating, absorbing study of sex and relationships.

And with just four characters, the film just about sums up every foible and insecurity that goes with love and passion.

Dan (Law) is a journalist he writes obituaries, to be precise who comes to the rescue of a young American woman, Alice (Portman), when she gets knocked down by a taxi.

Skip a few months and it seems Dan has hooked up with Alice, has written a book and is being photographed by Anna (Roberts), who captivates the author and he insists they have an affair.

Meanwhile, mischief maker that he is, Dan larks about on the internet, snaring slightly pervy dermatologist Larry (Owen) into believing he has found someone he can have a quick fling with.

He arranges a date at the aquarium with his "easy lay" and there meets Anna, who he mistakenly believes is his online sex goddess.

Now Larry and Anna hit it off and skip a few months they are happily married. Or so it seems, because before long she hits him with a bombshell she has been having an affair with Dan and wants a divorce.

Seeking solace in booze and strippers, Larry visits a club where he discovers that Alice is one of the dancers.

And so it goes on, this modern day La Ronde, that seeks to put life and love under the microscope and it can make for uncomfortable viewing.

Patrick Marber's screenplay is based on his own successful West End play, and it has been superbly translated to the screen by veteran Hollywood director Mike Nichols, whose body of work includes The Graduate and Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?

While steeped in its theatrical origins, Nichols has still made an excellent film, a splendid big screen experience that is difficult to take your eyes off, despite the lack of dazzling visuals, special effects and glamorous locations.

The film's fizz and spark comes courtesy of Marber's script, which could so easily have been arty crafty clever, but is instead touching, often fruity you will gawp in shock when you hear a uniquely nglish swear word delivered by Ms Roberts and bang on target where affairs of the heart are concerned.

And this cut and thrust dialogue is handled brilliantly by the outstanding cast.

Law and Roberts are arguably the biggest stars on view, and this is without doubt Roberts's best role since Erin Brockovich.

But it is the less experienced Portman she looks utterly stunning and gives a performance to match, with some heartbreaking scenes in which we share her pain and unsung but hard working British actor Owen who really catch the eye. Indeed the Oscar buzz and there is a considerable amount surrounding Closer puts Owen as a contender.

Funny and sad by turns, this is a tricky film to pull off because all four characters are deeply flawed, yet we have sympathy for them and the complicated way in which they lead their love lives makes us work hard to like them.

Closer is an all too rare movie experience it's an intelligent film, one with heart and soul that has something serious to say about love and how to keep it. 8/10

by Stephen Webb

Closer

Starring: Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen

Director: Mike Nichols

Certificate 15, 103minutes

Showing at: UGC and Cineworld from today