Close My Eyes [DVD] [1991]

Written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff. A traditional triangle one woman and two men. I bought it for the rather beautiful Alan Rickman - and he is very beautiful in this film and also the rather hunky Clive Owen. We see some lovely naked shots of him. Saskia Reeves is the woman who can't handle two men - I've see this in real life. A rather grubby story really interestingly shot. within the framework of a succession of very wide shots of beautiful interiors and exteriors. The sun is always shining and everyone else in the story accepts their lovely outdoor summer life style which also adds contrast to the angst the central characters are going through. Very cleverly done.

Apart from a overdramatic bit towards the end this is typical Stephen Poliakoff which is really good because the story could have ended up being excruciating if in the wrong hands. There is plenty of scope for shock, horror, cheap thrills in a film about incest however Poliakoff keeps it interesting without the tasteless use of any of those things. Instead he draws out the characters the characters by sgooting scene's beautifully even the sex and nudity.It is, obviously, the characters that propel such as story and all the main characters are kept real by the writing and of course, the actors who fill their roles perfectly. I have never really been a fan of Rickman or Reeves but he downplays his role expertly and she adds just enough mystery regarding her motives and true feelings without Natalie becoming stereotyped or unreal. Clive Owen does what Clive Owen normally does but like Rickman doesn't overplay his had.A believable film that never loses sight of being a love story despite the nature of that love.

Close My Eyes is a 1991 film about Natalie (Saskia Reeves) who slowly starts to fall in love with Richard Gillespie (Clive Owen) who is in-fact her Younger Brother.Natalie has recently bought a fairly noisy apartment with her lover only to have him leave her within just a few weeks, she also hates her job & is very unhappy, it's at this moment she first kisses her brother Richard.Over the space of the movie we watch how both the brother and sister deal with the feelings for each other, and see what goes on when Natalie's husband starts to think she is having an affair.All in all it's a really great film and i really did enjoy it, will be watching again I'm sure.

"What if you get pregnant, the baby's head would probably be really big or something"There are so many clunky lines in Close my Eyes it's almost deafening, and those who associate Steven Poliakoff with dramatic mastery are in for a rude awakening.All credit to the cinematographer however, the English summer has never looked so lyrical and seductive. Shot in the early nineties the print remains good as new and the lavish locations, which could be said to dominate proceedings somewhat, are a visual delight and offer a fascinating glimpse of London in the midst of the Docklands project.But what a curious beast, of course the story of a sibling romance will stretch our imagination but combine this with two fairly green film actors (Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves) and it makes for a particularly strained affair -and some of the most awkward intimate scenes imaginable.Even the presence of Alan Rickman strutting and preening in the background as the implausibly named 'Sinclair' cannot fully convince, but at least while his character is on screen we can uncurl our toes.On a cautionary note, those who believe drama should contain social lessons for the betterment of the audience should take heed of the scene with the sandwiches, for here an attempt is made to get hip to the AIDS message which results in the most excruciating scene of all, which is quite an achievement in a film about incest.Enjoy with wine.

It was very hard to follow the film because the music was louder than the dialogue. Towards the end of the film it seemed better but overall the characters were impossible to hear - a bad recording I think that ruined the film which I would otherwise have enjoyed. Excellent cast though.

Very atmospheric film set in London in the late 80s, and an interesting take on the nature of forbidden desire. All three leads, Clive Owen, Alan Rickman and Saskia Reeves, were excellent, and the latter particularly so. Yes, there some quirky moments, but I found it quite gripping, and rather wished the film has been longer.

Interesting plot about brother and sister that haven't seen each other in years and meet as adults. She is happily married, supposedly, and he is a bit of a bad boy. Saskia Reeves plays an incredibly attractive and sexy woman who is drawn to her brother as a moth to a flame. The brother doesn't care about the consequences, he just takes what is on offer. Alan Rickman plays the husband, a decent enough fellow who eventually realises what is going on. Interesting film, great performances, very sexy lady.

I have to confess that there is not much of Stephen Poliakoff's work that I wouldn't rave about- I love the way he weaves layers of acutely observed human life into wonderful stories. I have seen this TV play before and found it both beautiful and disturbing- it deals with a significant taboo of Western society and does so sensitively.The cinematography is definitely of it's time and for me that did not detract one jot from the viewing experience. I think the performances are strong, in this thought provoking and moving study on the complexities of modern relationships.