The Circle

I wasn't sure what to expect from this film, so I just went into it hoping for an enjoyable thriller. The Circle actually gets off to a fairly intriguing start, as we are introduced to the main characters - Stan, a hit man and Jay; the wife of the man he was hired to kill. The first half of the film plays out pretty much like a straight thriller as we watch the pair interact and end up getting themselves into a tricky situation; but then it would seem that the writer started experimenting with some strange hallucinogenic drugs as the film descends into the surreal, and rather than being interesting; it's mostly ridiculous - even the end twist (which is fairly imaginative) isn't enough to save what should have been a straight thriller. The central focus of the plot is on Jay and how she tries to persuade the hit man to not kill her husband. Obviously even going to see him puts her in a compromising position; but strangely it does him also.

The plot is fairly thin, and the focus is mainly on the characters. However, they're really not all that interesting; Scott Cohen is completely one-note as the hit man, while the usually solid Angela Bettis overacts to such an extend that I found myself feeling embarrassed for her at times. Whatever the director was trying to achieve with the characters really doesn't come off. There are a couple of interesting scenes; the best one being a lesbian(ish) sequence between Bettis and a stripper. The surreal elements of the film don't feel right considering the build up to them; I got the impression that the writer-director didn't really know where to take the film after the initial plot was set out, though maybe he always had the idea for where the film was going and the plot is the filler - either way, The Circle is one disjointed movie. Overall, I can't say that this film is without its merits - there are a few, but really I'd just call it a failed experiment.

Don't pay any attention to one-star reviews by total idiots. This is one of the most, if not THE most amazing piece of film-making I've ever seen. And I'd like to know why the ONLY one-star review is the one featured on the main page. Who decides which review should be the leading one?

At first I thought it was done in 3 or 4 takes, which would have been impressive enough, but upon watching it again, I see it really is one continuous scene, start to finish. I don't see how anybody could pull that off. One mistake, one prop out of place, one line-fluff is all it would take, and you'd have to start all over again. This requires planning and execution beyond imagining, at least for me.

I could say that it got a bit over the top in the melodrama at times, but did it really? I'd have to say it all fitted with the surreal mood of the whole film.

I can't really say much more, else I'd risk giving away too much. If you like, or at least don't mind, something really different for a change, then please don't miss this.

This film was recommended to me by an old friend who knows and loves movies. He said -- this is something special. He was right. The film is a real masterpiece. Everything in it, the story, the direction, the acting is first class. And very entertaining, too! But what makes it really special is, of course, that it has no montage -- it was shot without edits. Amazing! The French DVD gives a good transfer, but the subtitles are not always in sync with the images. Not a big problem if you understand English, of course. Oh and another thing -- Scott Cohen is very sexy and interesting. I love this film and recommend it to anyone who loves cinema.

Saw this movie in Cannes, and can't stop thinking about it. What an amazing piece of work! First of all, technically it's astounding -- the film is done in one uninterrupted take, and the visual acrobatics of this Mount Everest of shots are just incredible. I can't even begin to imagine the amount of planning, rehearsals, sweat and tears that went into this "one-shot wonder". Second, the story, the performances, and everything else in this movie is just brilliant. Angela Bettis -- where have you been hiding all my life? An unbelievable actress who grabs you by the throat (and the heart) and never lets go. All in all, this is a heartbreaking, inspiring, visionary movie -- a modern masterpiece.

Obviously, I'm going to have to watch this inane waste of time again just to see what all the reviewers are raving about. From the opening shot when the hit man's phone rings and he looks at it like a caveman looking at the control panel of a Boeing 747, I knew I was in for a real piece of overacting. And I wasn't disappointed. Quick jerk of the neck, raised eyebrow, and a ponderous, "Hmmmm. What is this object on the nightstand that's emitting a ringing tone?" 43 seconds later, he figured it out and answered the damned thing... Everybody overacts. Even the "real" people. I think perhaps it was less an "amazing 90 minute one take" piece of directing and more of a "Hey! We've got a 90 minute tape in this camcorder--let's make a movie!" Don't waste your time.