source: Closed Circuit

Closed Circuit is a very safe and solid movie about the trial of a terrorist that bombs the center of London, and the defense lawyers' line of strategy by the duo Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall. The directing is very good and the movie is a excellency in the genre, with mystery, thrills and a very interesting view on the British system of justice. The thing is that we have already seen this movie hundreds, thousands, of times, and it plays so secure and solid that it's hard to say that it is a great movie! It doesn't try anything new, feeling like a Lego puzzle that was built exactly accordingly to the instruction manual, so how could it be done wrong? It doesn't have flaws, nor does it really have strengths. It's well executed, and it has a very British feel with the city of London on the background, but that's the only soul the movie presents. Closed Circuit just wasn't necessary... Visit thefadingcam blog for more!

. . . was replaced as Prime Minister by a tool of ruling class "neo-Nazis" immediately after Churchill won WWII. Like the previous movies GHOST WRITER and PAGE EIGHT, CLOSED CIRCUIT joins countless other recent Brit flicks in an effort to "preach to the choir" which already knows a government that had no qualms about assassinating Princess Diana (just because she was on the verge of converting the royal family to Islam) would, in the case of CLOSED CIRCUIT's plotting, not hesitate to rub out three or four terrorist suspect defense lawyers and an American deputy station chief for the New York Times in order to save the rich "muckety-mucks" a modicum of embarrassment over the latest screw-up perpetrated against the suffering masses (120 dead in this case; thousands wounded) by their security establishment. There are few Watergates in England, because of MI5's Reign of Terror, in which potential Bob Woodwards and Carl Bernsteins are quietly tossed from rooftops as "suicides," or injected with air-bubble "heart attacks," or have fatal car accidents when their brake lines are snipped, or die during "random street muggings." The CLOSED CIRCUIT cameras are tracking British dissidents every step of their lives--EXCEPT when they meet their doom. As far as we know, MI5 does not like to make "snuff film" documentation of their efforts to protect England's ruling class. No wonder 300 million Americans (including Dennis Rodman) are more likely to visit Iran, Syria, or North Korea than to set foot in the lawless land known as England.

Conspiracy theories. Espionage. Terrorist acts. All this is present in the film Closed Circuit. What are not present are depth in theories developed by the characters and explanations of crucial details of the film. Starring Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall, the film shows us a little of the British judicial system. This is perhaps one of the biggest flaws of the script. The lack of explanation of how this system works and how it is structured, does not allow us to get into the story, just accept what is shown. About the actors, Eric Bana is what to be expected for those who have seen his films. In contrast, Rebecca Hall shows the same talent seen in The Prestige (2006) and The Town (2010). Jim Broadbent gives us another opportunity to see his gift, even in fast appearances during a 90-minute film. The film wants to leave the place where it started, however the lack of surprising elements in the script makes everything back to the beginning. This is the same path that follows the protagonist throughout the story.

Cable movies have gotten better throughout the years, but that can be a problem. Especially when a theatrical film plays out like one. Which isn't so bad in the case of CLOSED CIRCUIT, a decent thriller centering on two British defense attorneys for a Middle Eastern man accused of masterminding a terrorist act: the bombing of an outdoor mall is witnessed in the first five minutes from a collage of monitors, a device continued sporadically through the rest of the film. Eric Bana's Martin Rose has a reason to be paranoid. Not only is the same taxicab driving him around town, but he's breaking rules by working with ex lover Claudia, played by Rebecca Hall, and their past heats up along with the case, inevitably resulting in both their lives being put in jeopardy. The best scenes are in the build-up: Martin checks up on his client's background as outside elements move in. Meanwhile, the romance with Claudia is standard fare, adding little to this refreshingly short movie that plays the cliché card in every (somewhat predictable) twist and turn. But Eric Bana's intense truth-seeking determination makes CIRCUIT worthwhile.

CLOSED CIRCUIT (2013) * Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall, Ciaran Hinds, Jim Broadbent, Riz Ahmed, Julia Stiles, Anne-Marie Duff. Dull as dirt 'courtroom thriller' concerning a terrorist act that has Brit barristers Bana and Hall, former lovers, (sadly with zip chemistry) paired to try the defense with finding themselves getting more than they bargained for. Has the feel of a Joe Esterhaus late '90s conspiracy pot-boiler (without the sex or dynamism). Boredom from the get-go no thanks to a water-logged screenplay by Steven Knight and pedestrian direction from John Crowley. And a completely laughable turn by Stiles as a NY Times investigative reporter. Just plain awful.

Well made, well directed, well acted, nice cinematography, a well crafted film but an absolutely stupid and weak story, with little actual or meaningful content. The story makes complete sense, partly because it's simplistic, but only if you're prepared to accept the stupidity of a story in which characters are unbelievable, the government is completely stupid (yes, governments are stupid, but not this stupid), trained assassins are useless most of the time, there is (or would be if the stupid government had its way) a string of dead bodies laying around that would point directly to the government as the culprit(I told you this was a stupid government,even more so than the average stupid government), characters exist in the movie (and then are killed) just to further the story line but have no other purpose (good movies have better ways to further plot development), and the 1/2 million cameras on the streets on London that they point out in the story are completely useful at actually locating anyone. Well, I'll stop here. You know what I think.

Martin Rose (Eric Bana) and Claudia (Rebecca Hall) are assigned to a case to defend Farroukh Erdogan (Denis Mochitto) who is accused of bombing a London market killing 120 plus. Because this case involves classified information Martin and Claudia cannot interact together or they will lose their licenses. Martin is the Defense Lawyer. Claudia is the Defendant's Advocate. Martin will defend in Open Court and Claudia will defend in Closed Session where classified information will be presented. In time, both learn that a government cover-up may be in play. Uh oh! What to do? What to do? Not sure though if the Advocate person is only assigned when classified info is in play. No matter. It is what it is. Well, of course, you know that Martin and Claudia will somehow interact and this will cause them to be most careful. Oh, they were lovers a while back. See? This will not be the thriller you may have expected. No, it's a comfortable ride and the pacing is just right. Some things happen but nothing to put you on the edge of your seat. It's not that kind of thriller, but it is watchable. See? I enjoyed this but the ending is really weak. Bummer. (5/10) Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: Yes.

i just want to say that i only took a peek at the first few lines of the first review on the first page and that was it...and i have to say that i have to agree with the reviewer and as a matter of fact, that was the first thought that occurred to me. this movie is a lot like the movie " ghost writer ", so if you liked aforementioned movie...which i did, then you will probably, most likely enjoy this movie also. did the British government have anything to do with the low rating? this movie was so much more juicier then the " ghost writer "...i mean come on man this is first rate movie making with a bunch of "A" list actors and actresses who were up to the task. there is nothing that i dislike about this movie except for its running time, which is too short for a good thriller like this. this movie literally had me eyes glued to the screen it was so juicy. i like a movie with a lot of twists and tension thru-out the movie and the ending to me was kind of unexpected. Kudos to all involved for coming out with such an entertaining movie.

One of last year's highly praised films was Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Any intriguing film with very fine acting but had some of the most dry uninteresting moments of the year. With a good ending saving it, it's action and thrills were VERY subdued. The producers of Soldier Spy have a new political thriller starring Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall and Julia Stiles. This time around there is no shortage of thrills and intense moments. The action isn't Terminator worthy but is without a doubt they have amped up the excitement. Martin is a divorced lawyer who is called in to defend the suspect in the biggest terror attack in London and largest murder trial of the century. His co-lawyer is Claudia Simmons- Howe who just happens to be his ex lover and reason for his divorce. As I have zero understanding of British law and court system I am at the mercy of what the movie tells me. The two defending attorney's are not allowed to have contact during the pre trial research which proves to be most difficult as the case unfolds, and not for romantic purposes. Martin was brought in to be the defense because a friend of his who was the defense lawyer appears to have committed suicide. As Martin and Claudia dig deeper they realize that is not the case and their client is not who the prosecution is making him out to be. The defendant's son is the one who holds the key to his fathers innocence and Martin and Claudia are determined to make sure he can exonerate his father. There is only a handful of problems I had with Closed Circuit and the main one being that the film is way too short. Coming in at just over 90 minutes, the extra time could have been used to develop the backstory a little deeper and explain some things that are taken for granted and left unspoken. Martin has a son himself and it would have been nice to see a little more developed with him. That said, Closed Circuit is without a doubt a top notch ride of excitement. With questions and wonder around every corner you can't help but keep your eyes locked on the screen. Well thought out story lines make for a great political thriller that does not try and make a political statement, it just showed what we all know and that is most governments have their corrupt side and will at times do whatever it takes to save face. The film does not come across as a film with a message by any means but the government is the engine at the center of a good story and high powered thrill. This will not be any award contender by any means but thats not to take away from the entertainment value that the film exudes. It is one well worth your time, no matter how little the time is. Loveyourmovies.com