Close My Eyes (1991)

After some years of tension, Richard begins a sexual relationship with his sister Natalie. Now married, the relationship proves dangerously obsessional. Their private intensity (& working ... See full summary »

Director:

Stephen Poliakoff

Writer:

Stephen Poliakoff

Stars:

Alan Rickman, Clive Owen, Saskia Reeves

4 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Rickman	...	Sinclair
Clive Owen	...	Richard
Saskia Reeves	...	Natalie Bryant
Karl Johnson	...	Colin
Lesley Sharp	...	Jessica
Kate Gartside	...	Paula
Karen Knight	...	Philippa
Niall Buggy	...	Geof
Campbell Morrison	...	Scotsman
Annie Hayes	...	Receptionist
Maxwell Hutcheon	...	Interviewee
Geraldine Somerville	...	Natalie's Boss
Helen FitzGerald	...	Scottish Girl
Christopher Barr	...	Noley
Gordon Salkilld	...	Hotel Porter

Storyline

After some years of tension, Richard begins a sexual relationship with his sister Natalie. Now married, the relationship proves dangerously obsessional. Their private intensity (& working class origins) contrast with the middle-class, inhibited, stuffy public scenes we see in the Richmond world into which Natalie has moved with her marriage. As the guilt and intensity of the siblings increases we seem to be heading for disaster, a forboding which increases when Natalie's husband Sinclair finds out.

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | kite | suicide attempt | happiness | deception | 

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Taglines:

There are some relationships so taboo they're irresistible.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sensuality, and for language

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 November 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Com os Olhos Fechados

Filming Locations:

Isle of Dogs, London, England, UK

Box Office

Gross:

$135,893 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film Four International, Beambright

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alan Rickman gets top billing on the credits and on the poster, despite not getting nearly as much screentime as Clive Owen, possibly because Rickman was known more to international audiences, due to his roles in Die Hard and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

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Goofs

When Natalie and Richard are fighting on the country lane, there is a rip in the right shoulder of her jacket. When they get back to the party, the rip has gone.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Natalie: You're late.
Richard: Sorry, it was unavoidable, trains on Sunday, you know what they're like.
Natalie: Unavoidable? I don't believe it. I've eaten all the food.
Richard: You've eaten all the food? Now that's serious.

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Connections

References Rosemary's Baby (1968)

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Soundtracks

"Bianca"
(uncredited)
Music by Dick Walter
KPM Music Ltd

User Reviews

Alan Rickman fans start here.

I'm surprised this movie isn't rated higher - I can't think of anyone who's seen it who hasn't liked it. Women who see it are all mesmerised by Alan Rickman, who rather steals the show. For many women this was their first taste of Rickman, and it was love at first sight! He _is_ good, and he's cast in an interesting role (Saskia Reeves cheats on him when she has an affair with her brother, played by Clive Owen, who was probably more famous than Rickman at the time because he'd recently starred in a very successful TV drama series). The incest plot is treated very well - the script, acting and direction are excellent. The whole situation is set up so as not to shock, but to make us think, and I think the film succeeds.