Release Date: December 3, 2004
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Director: Mike Nichols
Cast: Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Clive Owen
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R (for sequences of graphic sexual dialogue, nudity/sexuality and language)
Plot Summary: Director Mike Nichols brings Patrick Marber's highly acclaimed theatrical tour de force "Closer" to the screen, an erotically charged tale of love, loneliness and betrayal featuring an all-star cast.

Trailer:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pict ... large.html

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Closer is supposed to be one of this year's "big dramas" and oscar contenders. It has a good director attached to it and an all-star cast, headlined by Julia Roberts and the rising star Clive Owen (King Arthur).

This movie has a lot going for it. It is based on a popular and critically acclaimed thatrical play by Patrick Marber and the cast is undeniably great. The trailer looks pretty good as well and looks to be getting warm reception.

Julia Roberts, starring in a rather unusual role for her, is probably the main money-attraction in this movie. Her both big recent movies, America's Sweethearts and Mona Lisa Smile, while slight disappointments with the former grossing around $93 million and the latter making around $63 million, were still decent grossers proving that Julia Roberts can bring in audiences. This movie, however, is very unlike her recent movies which were lighthearted features. Closer has some rather dark and depressing material to it and it has an R-rating. Still Julia Roberts fanbase will be seeing it.

Jude Law, known for starring in critically acclaimed dramas has a nice tracking record for those as well with the highlights being The Talented Mr. Ripley and Cold Mountain, both of which have been decent hits. He sure should bring in some audiences as well, even if not all that much.

The oscar buzz will be deciding for Closer. Considering the talent that his movie has to offer and the highly-acclaimed play being its basis, I think chances are high that this movie will recieve a lot of acclaim around the award season. This movie sure won't be a huge opener, so the critical buzz will be needed to maintain good legs throughout the holiday season.

The only real thing this movie has going against it is the dark theme of this movie which is sure not for broad audiences and the R-rating. However, I think the good reviews and the fact that this will probably be December's biggest drama will cancel it out.


My predictions:

Opening weekend - $16.7 million

Total gross - $85 million

WITH BEST OSCAR WIN:

Total gross - $108 million

My predictions:

Opening weekend - $12.7 million

Total gross - $68 million

WITH BEST OSCAR WIN:

Total gross - $97 million

I'll wait till it's Closer to the release date before I predict.

Hard to predict. but with this cast, i think it's got a chance of $100M.

Hopefully it will pass $100M, for julia!

14/58


If it wins BP - $85m total

Ebert and Roeper raved about Closer on Sunday. Looking better and better for a successful box office run.

I think it should do well, but not spectacular.

Predictions: Opening -- $16.0 million
Total: $55 million

$17M/$91M

seriously i can not wait anymore for this movie!!

Considering this movie's only estimated to open in 1000 theatres (Filmjerk also says that Sony is considering releasing it 400+ on December 3) opening weekend, this should be more of a marathon runner than a sprinter.

BOM has the new estimated theatre count for its opening weekend at 450, practically making it a platform release.


My new predictions:


Opening weekend - $6.4 million

Total gross - $88 million


WITH BEST PICTURE WIN:

$108 million

I want to see Closer so bad...too bad it's not getting a wide release right away.

Opening: $6.0
Total: $81.0

With the release of the movie getting closer (no pun intended ), it's time to collect some more predictions and thoughs.

Personally, I can't wait to see the movie and to see how well it does. However, it doesn't look to me like a movie that opens with a huge PTA, but much rather a leggy movie. I think it'll barely miss the TOP 5 next weekend.

My new prediction (based on 450 theaters):

Opening: $5.3 million
Total: $53 million

6.2 opening
45.7 finish

8.2 Opening
56.5 Finish

7.2 opening / 63.5 total

7m opening/42m total.

I'm a lifelong anglophile, at least when it comes to TV and movies, but this one leaves me cold so far. So I can't help but factor that into my projection that maybe a few other people might feel the same way, not you guys since you seem to be anticipating it but maybe others. I read a Time magazine article on it describing the oh so adult content and it wasn't anything I hadn't seen on Friends 5 times.

I could be wrong, but you know how it is, we have to go with our impressions.

Predictions so far:


Opening weekend:

RogueCommander - $5.3 million
Zingaling - $6 million
newfoundglorysp - $6.2 million
Dr. Lecter - $6.4 million
Archie Gates - $7 million
greasedlightning - $7.2 million
jmart007 - $8.2 million


Total gross:

Archie Gates - $42 million
newfoundglorysp - $45.7 million
RogueCommander - $53 million
jmart007 - $56.5 million
greasedlightning - $63.5 million
Zingaling - $81 million
Dr. Lecter - $88 million

Closer:

$34 Million Opening

$121 Million Total

WITH BEST PICTURE WIN:

$128 Million Total

..bearing in mind i havent seen a trailer yet

with the low theatre count for opening weekend only gonna go :

4.5 / 75

BJs prediction

Opening Wknd: 8.6m thats a 20,000 screen average if it opens in around 430 screens

Domestic Total: 92m thats around a 10.5 multiplyer

8)

4.8 million/43.0 million

Closer:

Opening: $7.7m
Total: $55.5m

You also know that it opens in 450 theatres and has the R-rating, right?