daph

Debating whether to see the film "Closer". How much of London does it really show, aside from its qualities as a film?

Holldoll

Not much. It's not really a factor in the film I don't think. I loved the film, however!

Patrick

The most interesting scenery is the little memorial cemetary that features rather prominently in the plot.
I saw the stage production in London and they used slides to show that location.
People walked out of the movie in droves here -- due to the language, but I think it is a very well-done film.
One difference was that Julia Roberts plays an American, while in the play, that character is British. Or at least she seemed to be American.

Scarlett

I reeeally enjoyed Closer.
I agree, London is not really shown off in this film.
Patrick, we saw a couple of couples leave during the email chat scene .. otherwise the packed theater was silent and attentive throughout the film.
I really liked the part of the story concerning the little Memorial wall.
Did anyone see Croupier?
If so, in the beginning of the film, Clive Owen walks down stairs into the gambling room. Did that remind you of his scene entering the Strip club in Closer?

uhoh_busted

I saw Croupier -- wow that was a long time ago. We LOVED Closer (I tend to like talkie characters) and I thought Natalie Portman was astounding. Not many familiar London scenes, although I thought Julia and Clive were lunching in the restaurant atop the Tate, but then the outside view wasn't exactly the Thames...unless it was on the other side of the restaurant...

tudorprincess

I really loved the shot in the National Portrait Gallery. It's one of my most memorable days in London. We had to drive 20 miles to see this film as we live in a small town and it wasn't playing here.
Nothing but blue haired old ladies in our showing and I thought they would leave but they sure didn't!
I really enjoyed the movie, my husband not so much.

Scarlett

I thought they were having lunch in Georges? atop the Pompidou?

tudorprincess

Missed your replies. They were discussing their divorce papers at the top of the National Portrait Gallery bar/restaurant.

Patrick

Hmm. I was convinced they were at the Oxo Tower. I think we all need to go to London together and scout it out. But Scarlett, honey, you were really lost. The Pompidou?

Grasshopper

Yep, that would be it.

http://www.npg.org.uk/live/portrest.asp

Patrick

Thanks for the link, Grasshopper. I've never known about the restaurant there, and it's right in "my" neighborhood. I see they have a really nice two or three course pre-theatre special which really sounds nice. Might be a great choice as it's so close to most of the theatres, too.

Scarlett

LOL, nevermind!
OMG, I was thinking of something else entirely... redfaced Scarlett

uhoh_busted

oooh yes that's it...well at least it was atop a museum! We'll have to find another reason for a field trip, guys -- that one was too easy to check out.

Kayb95

We saw the movie trailer for "The Wedding Date" while at the movies last week. Looks like a lot of good London scenes. Looks like a good chick-flick.


http://www.apple.com/trailers/univer..._wedding_date/

Scarlett

Yes, I thought Wedding Date looks like it will be very funny. Of course, I like Debra Messing

Patrick

I can't believe I sat through the entire trailer of that film trying to recognize the girl. I didn't realize until they said it at the end that was Debra Messing. She looked very different.

BTilke

I was in the National Portrait Gallery restaurant a couple of weeks ago. Now I'll have to see the movie to see if it really was the same place. At any rate, I though the restaurant worth a stop (and the exhibit I went to see, Fame and Beauty in the Victorian Era was worth it, too).

Patrick

Am I making this up, or now that I think about it, didn't we see the monument of Trafalgar Square in the background out the windows? It seems like at the time, I thought it was a "superimposed" background as I couldn't imagine a restaurant where you'd see that. But now, I guess it is true.

BTilke

Yes, I'm pretty sure you have a good few of the square from the restaurant, which is on the top floor. However, I didn't have a window table and it was dark and rainy when I was there, so can't be sure. It does have large windows, though, and I'm pretty sure it faces the square.
It's a nice place to stop and when I was there, it was not crowded. I don't think the restaurant is well known. Has a nice, sober, contemporary decor.