Circle of Friends
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Movie Reviews of Circle of Friends
Movie Review: dvd
Summary: 5 Stars
One of my favourite films of all time. arrived on time as said and in good conditionMovie Review: Circle of friends
Summary: 5 Stars
Was the best irish movie I have ever watched. Highly recommend this movie to anyone.Movie Review: An Endearing Performance By Minnie Driver
Summary: 4 Stars
An endearing, Oscar worthy performance by Minnie Driver highlights "Circle of Friends," a poignant story of friendship, love and loyalty, set in 1957 Ireland, directed by Pat O'Connor. Driver stars as Bernadette "Benny" Hogan, a sensitive, somewhat self-conscious young lady (she sees herself as plain and over-weight), about to enter the University of Dublin, along with her two, life-long friends, Eve (Geraldine O'Rawe), and Nan (Saffron Burrows). At school she meets rugby star and med student Jack Foley (Chris O'Donnell), and falls in love with him; and, once he gets to know her, (and after a somewhat tenuous beginning), Jack realizes that he loves Benny, as well. Conflict intervenes upon their romance, however, and complications ensue when circumstances force them into a prolonged separation. Benny's home is a bus ride away from Dublin, and it becomes necessary for her to stay for awhile and help with the family store. Ultimately, it leads to an incident involving Jack and Nan, when Jack becomes unwittingly drawn into a particularly sensitive and unpleasant situation which has recently arisen between Nan and her wealthy suitor, Simon Westward (Colin Firth). Driver is the real story here, though, as she gives an incredibly touching performance that so adeptly conveys Benny's sensitivities; she is Benny from the inside out, wearing her heart on her sleeve and so vulnerable to the pain that life can seemingly inflict at will. She is so winsome, and accessible, that it enables you to share her joy and feel her pain; all due to Driver's incredible ability to make such an absolute emotional connection between her Benny and the audience. And having the capacity to evoke such empathy underscores what a truly gifted actress Driver is. As Jack, Chris O'Donnell gives one of his finest performances to date, as well. He manages to delve beneath the surface to tap Jack's indecisiveness, his self-confidence tinged with doubt, while fleshing out the moral aptitude which defines him, and it's reassuring to know that there's so much more to him than being the star jock of the rugby team, because Benny deserves more than that. The audience's identification with Benny is so strong that her endeavors must be rewarded with a man worthy of her affection; for Jack to be any less than he is would be unacceptable and unsatisfying. The wonderful supporting cast includes Alan Cumming (Sean), Mick Lally (Dan Hogan), Ciaran Hinds (Professor Flynn), John Kavanagh (Brian Mahon) and Britta Smith (Mrs. Hogan). Superbly acted and well directed, "Circle of Friends" is a captivating, memorable film, visually attractive and complimented by an engaging soundtrack of lilting, Irish melodies, and Benny is a young woman you'll take into your heart and keep there; for she is unforgettable. This is one of those rare films that penetrates the soul and takes a real look at the human condition, and how fragile at times it can be. It will make you think; but above all, it will make you feel.Movie Review: Split the difference between the novel and Hollywood
Summary: 4 Stars
I know that this is quite different from the original story, but it's still a good movie. It's Hollywood-ized, but it's not so Hollywood-ized that it just flings Benny back into Jack's arms as if nothing happened.
I hadn't watched this and years and popped the DVD in to see if I wanted to keep it or resell it. I think I'll keep it. I'd forgotten how good a movie it is. It's such a relief these days to see a film with so many reasonable, believable characters when so many movies now seem to sell themselves on outlandishness.
It was HUGELY refreshing to see a girl who really is big--tall and solid--playing a character that's supposed to be big. She is not at all unattractive and is not portrayed as plain, awkward, or "nerdy" (as un-beauties usually are). She's just not a silver-screen sylph, and thankfully the movie doesn't punish her for it or make a lot of ugly-duckling jokes at her expense. Hooray, Minnie Driver!
Geraldine O'Rawe is also great, feisty but not heartless, sensible, and intelligent. Saffron Burrows has less of a part but it's clear that she's naive and got in over her head, and not just a heartless vamp. It's clear why the three girls are friends but the characters are not played so much alike that they seem flat. Colin Firth is utterly colorless, but he has a minor part, and his flatness is appropriate for the role (Mr. Darcy fans will probably be disappointed, though).
Movie Review: Charming. Minnie Driver at her best.
Summary: 4 Stars
This quaint movie based on a book of the same name is charming and well told. The story revolves around three friends with very different aspirations. Minnie Driver plays Bennie Hogan, a frumpy young lady who is destined to spend the rest of her life running her families tailoring shop in her small home town. She is forever plagued by the attention of her fathers assistant, played by Alan Cumming (who plays sleazy rat very well) and becomes smitten with local college boy Jack Foley (Chris O'Donnell). Benny has two best friends, Eve and Nan. Nan is played by English Temptress Saffron Burrows. She wants to get out of the small town and she thinks that her meal ticket is rich boy Simon Westward (Colin Firth). Little does she know, Simon is just using her as a plaything and has no intention of ever making her his wife. When Nan turns up pregnant and Westward turns his back on her, she turns to her best friends bo, Jack for comfort. She tricks him and makes him think the baby is his. Eve, who was born to a poor family has only the gottage left to her by her parents to call her own. The friends think of it as a stolen hideaway in the woods where they can go to escape the world. Then one day Eve finds things amiss in the cottage and she figures out what Nan has been up to, and it turns ugly. This circle of friends has to be broken, but is there any mending it, or are these three girls destined to move on without one another?