The characters in "Closer" are the most potty-mouthed in recent memory. Their often-profane dialogue alone will probably chase away at least a few prospective moviegoers.

(It's not hyperbole to say the cursing would give the dialogue in your average Quentin Tarantino movie a run for its money.)

Also, the characters are more cruel — sometimes deliberately — than most, if not all, of the characters that have been seen on the big screen this year. And you wonder if anyone would want to see such mixed-up, mean-spirited people doing such horrid things to each other.

But if you can withstand the initial burst of salty language and severe dysfunction, there's a certain joy in seeing these characters get their just deserts. And not to give too much away, at least a couple of them do.

Besides, the outright meanness and arbitrary nature of their actions serve as a stark reminder about being kind and good to others — as well as show that almost everyone has an agenda these days.

The drama is based on Patrick Marber's stage play about four people whose lives collide while they're in London. It begins with the chance meeting of Dan (Jude Law) and Alice (Natalie Portman). She's freshly arrived from America and quickly pairs up with Dan, an obit writer who witnesses her being struck by a taxi.

Despite Alice's devotion to him, Dan finds himself drawn to Anna (Julia Roberts), an artist who's taking his photo for a book jacket (it seems Alice has inspired him to write more creatively).

Anna resists giving in to that temptation — at least at that point — and instead begins a relationship with Larry (Clive Owen), a dermatologist. Ironically, it's a practical joke by Dan that brings the two of them together. And then Dan has to scramble as he tries to persuade Anna to leave Larry.

These characters are pretty reprehensible. But director Mike Nichols is never afraid to show them at their worst, which is smart.

The whole thing still might not have been watchable except for the first-rate cast. Law is believable as the pathetic Dan, and so is Owen, playing the conniving Larry. But the real standout is Portman, whose performances continue to get stronger and more mature.

Roberts' performance doesn't have the same level of conviction. It's not terrible, but it pales in comparison.

"Closer" is rated R for frequent use of strong sexual profanity and crude sexual slang terms, as well as explicit sexual talk, brief female nudity, brief sexual contact, brief drug content (references to drug use), and a brief scene of violence (slapping). Running time: 100 minutes.

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