Keeping it in The Family
Richard (Clive Owen) and Natalie (Saskia Reeves) were never close growing up as after their parents split they ended up divided between their parents. As grown ups they meet up once in a while and it is during one of those meets that they kiss although knowing its wrong immediately stop. But each year which passes and their situations change with Natalie getting married they end up meeting again and again with the sexual attraction between them becoming more and more intense until they succumb and sleep with each other. But their passion becomes too much especially for Richard as he becomes obsessed.
Yes "Close My Eyes" is a movie which features the subject of incest and it doesn't hold back when it comes to the sexual relationship which forms between Richard and Natalie. And let me say whilst of course Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves are not related the sense of unease when we see them getting intimate is uncomfortable rather than sensual. But this isn't sensationalism for the sake of it this story about incest is about need and obsession, during the first half it is Natalie who needs Richard as she is unhappy with her life even when she gets married. But then we see how it switches with it becoming Richard needing Natalie and becoming obsessed to the point of destruction.
Alongside this look at a destructive relationship we are also given a glimpse at life of the past, a life when the Docklands were beginning to be redeveloped, when greed was still good and plenty of other things which people associate with Thatcher's Britain including the initial media and attitudes towards Aids. Those who might have hated Thatcher's Britain will probably enjoy the depth of the period on show but it did little for me.
What this all boils down to is that "Close My Eyes" is an interesting movie as it delves in to the destructive incestuous relationship between a brother and sister as it goes from one side needing it to the other. But it is one of those movies which whilst well worth watching the once it is not the sort of movie which you will find any desire to watch again.
