Closer opens strongly at US box office

Actor Jude Law’s new movie Closer performed well at the box office on its opening weekend in the United States, according to figures out today.

The film took €5.7m despite showing at only 467 screens across the country. Co-starring Julia Roberts, and Clive Owen, the film won strong reviews from the critics.

Closer took more than €2m more than anticipated, according to box office trackers Nielsen EDI. But despite the strong opening, some viewers were unimpressed.

The film was awarded an average of just “D-plus” by movie-goers, according to audience polling firm CinemaScore.

The critics, on the other hand, recommended the film, with 68% advising film fans to watch. Closer is at the top of a pack of Oscar-hopefuls released in the US in December.

Its chief rivals are the Aviator, Spanglish, Hotel Rwanda and Million Dollar Baby. The Oscars will be held late in February.