Closed Circuit
3.5/4
Starring: Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall, Ciaran Hinds, Riz Ahmed, Denis Moschitto, Jim Broadbent, Anne-Marie Duff, Julia Stiles
Rated R for Language and Some Violence
"Closed Circuit" is so effective that I'm willing to forgive a lot. Some of what happens in the story doesn't hold up on cursory examination (not much, but still) and some things aren't as clear as they should be, but I didn't care. The suspense is high and consistent, and there are a number of shocking twists.
A truck explodes in a London marketplace, killing many people. A suspect, Farroukh Erdogan (Moschitto), has been arrested and charged with the crime. Martin Rose (Bana) has been assigned to defend him. Also working with him is Claudia Simmons-Howe (Hall), a lawyer who is trying to get the secret evidence against him made public (this is an official position, by the way). Martin and Claudia are ex-lovers and can't stand each other, but they have a duty to their client. But the deeper they dig, the more they realize that there is more to this story than meets the eye. And there are those who are willing to do anything to make sure that Farroukh gets convicted and the truth stays buried.
If you step back and think about it, even when it's unspooling, the film's story is completely preposterous. That's okay, because it allows director John Crowley (who directed the unforgettable "Boy A," which put Andrew Garfield on the map) to show his skill for highlighting twists in a plot. The sense of distrust is palpable. Apart from Martin and Claudia, no one is beyond suspicion and Big Brother is always watching. Surprisingly, this isn't a political movie. Crowley has no agenda, he just wants to keep the audience in suspense.
That's actually kind of the problem. With a cast like this and a director this skilled, you'd expect something more intelligent. The plot is dense, and those who aren't paying attention will get lost. But it really doesn't matter because it's all a lot of fun.
I can't discuss the performances too much because I don't want to give anything away. The two leads, Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall, are as reliable as they are talented, and "Closed Circuit" does nothing to change it. Both are great (Aussie Eric Bana's British accent is peerless) as characters who are easy to get behind even if they aren't always likable. Ciaran Hinds is his usual reliable self. And Jim Broadbent is truly chilling. Broadbent, known for his light-hearted roles in "Moulin Rouge!" and to a lesser extent, "Gangs of New York," is positively creepy as a government official with an agenda.
It has it's problems, but you'll be gripping the armrest and gasping in surprise from beginning to end.
Starring: Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall, Ciaran Hinds, Riz Ahmed, Denis Moschitto, Jim Broadbent, Anne-Marie Duff, Julia Stiles
Rated R for Language and Some Violence
"Closed Circuit" is so effective that I'm willing to forgive a lot. Some of what happens in the story doesn't hold up on cursory examination (not much, but still) and some things aren't as clear as they should be, but I didn't care. The suspense is high and consistent, and there are a number of shocking twists.
A truck explodes in a London marketplace, killing many people. A suspect, Farroukh Erdogan (Moschitto), has been arrested and charged with the crime. Martin Rose (Bana) has been assigned to defend him. Also working with him is Claudia Simmons-Howe (Hall), a lawyer who is trying to get the secret evidence against him made public (this is an official position, by the way). Martin and Claudia are ex-lovers and can't stand each other, but they have a duty to their client. But the deeper they dig, the more they realize that there is more to this story than meets the eye. And there are those who are willing to do anything to make sure that Farroukh gets convicted and the truth stays buried.
If you step back and think about it, even when it's unspooling, the film's story is completely preposterous. That's okay, because it allows director John Crowley (who directed the unforgettable "Boy A," which put Andrew Garfield on the map) to show his skill for highlighting twists in a plot. The sense of distrust is palpable. Apart from Martin and Claudia, no one is beyond suspicion and Big Brother is always watching. Surprisingly, this isn't a political movie. Crowley has no agenda, he just wants to keep the audience in suspense.
That's actually kind of the problem. With a cast like this and a director this skilled, you'd expect something more intelligent. The plot is dense, and those who aren't paying attention will get lost. But it really doesn't matter because it's all a lot of fun.
I can't discuss the performances too much because I don't want to give anything away. The two leads, Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall, are as reliable as they are talented, and "Closed Circuit" does nothing to change it. Both are great (Aussie Eric Bana's British accent is peerless) as characters who are easy to get behind even if they aren't always likable. Ciaran Hinds is his usual reliable self. And Jim Broadbent is truly chilling. Broadbent, known for his light-hearted roles in "Moulin Rouge!" and to a lesser extent, "Gangs of New York," is positively creepy as a government official with an agenda.
It has it's problems, but you'll be gripping the armrest and gasping in surprise from beginning to end.
Comments
Post a Comment