User reviews

Perhaps not having read Maeve Binchy's book, in which this film is based, and never seeing the film when it was released, helped this viewer to enjoy it, perhaps more than most people that saw it in its commercial debut. Pat O'Connor and his adapter, Andrew Davies, give us a portrait about the friendship of three young girls in the story, as they go from childhood to womanhood in the Ireland of some time ago.

We meet the three friends as the film opens. There are Benny, Eve and Nan, who are inseparable. They grow up and their relationship continues right through adulthood. The three friends go to university and we see them attending Professor Flynn's class, which seems to be the girls' favorite teacher.

Nan, the prettiest of the three has no prospects of marrying into money. She decides to go after Simon Westwood, a wrong choice that turns out even worse when she discovers he couldn't care less for her. He just wants to marry money and she doesn't have it. Eva, the orphan girl brought up by nuns, has no prospects either, but she has a cottage in the country that Nan finds convenient for exploring her sexuality with Simon.

The best adjusted of the three friends is plain Benny, who seems destined to marry her father's clerk, the reptilian Sean. She has her eyes set on Jack Foley, the hunky jock. Jack in turn likes her, but things intervene between them.

Minnie Driver, is a marvelous presence in the film. She makes the plain Benny come alive. Saffron Burrows is perfect as the vain and beautiful Nan. Geraldine O'Rawe plays Eve. Chris O'Donnell is Jack Foley, who makes a good impression. Alan Cumming, Colin Firth and Ciaran Hinds are perfect in their supporting roles.

"Circle of Friends", while not breaking any ground, is still a good movie to watch because Pat O'Connor's direction and the ensemble acting cast.

First of all, I've never read the novel by Maeve Binchy, so I'm not going to make a comparison between the book and the movie.

The plot:

Set in the 50s. Three young Irish girls with distinguish personalities get their share of lessons about friendship, love, family, betrayal and college life.

The characters:

Minnie Driver is very convincing as Benny, the straightforward, sensitive, caring, and humorous virgin with plum curves, a radiant smile, and expressive eyes. She is an only child and lives with her modest family, taking the bus on a daily basis to go to college in Dublin.

Chris O'Donnell is Jack Foley, a wealthy medical student and rugby star. He is attractive and a tad naive. He and Benny fall in love, their attempts to get close to each other, both in the physical and the emotional sense, are clumsy (because they lack experience), but sincere and touching.

Geraldine O'Rawe is Eve, Benny's lifetime friend, an orphan who was raised by the nuns but who has enough guts to ask for and obtain a scholarship, and stand up for Benny against Nan when need be.

The pretty Saffron Burrows plays Nan, Benny and Eve's childhood friend, who left the village early to live with her family in Dublin. She is very aware of her attractive looks, and attempts to use her wannabe sophistication to trap a wealthy man into marriage when she becomes pregnant with his baby (predictable). But the man rejects her (again, predictable), and so she betrays Benny by seducing Jack and claiming afterwards that she is carrying his child.

Alan Cumming is excellent as Sean Walsh, Benny's father's employee who constantly attempts to seduce the young girl, to no avail. You will probably hate him in this role, he truly is despicable, manipulative, sexually obsessed, voyeur, irritating, etc. His hairstyle (a fringe on the right please) and suspenders make him look ridiculous. In one word, Walsh is a real pain, but Cumming gives an excellent performance here. His sleezy mimics cannot go unnoticed.

The Irish landscape, with its hilltops, pittorresque rivers, woods, small roads, and adorable cottages is one of the fine aspects of the movie.

There isn't much to analyse here, the story line is simple and the dialog pretty straightforward. The overall atmosphere of the film is friendly, warm and 'cozy'.

There is definitely an emotional bond between Benny and the viewers, unless you're too much of a cynic to sympathize with a sensitive, self-conscious, modest girl set on a (realistic) journey of womanhood.

Oh sure, I know he must be out there doing something. But I recently saw this for the 2nd time, the first time at a second run movie house and I just fell in love with movie again. Chris O'Donnell and Minnie Driver (what happened to HER?) have great (but not amazing) chemistry going between them, and throughout the movie I was also saying, "who is that weasely looking chap playing the father's assistant in the haberdashery shop?" Only to find out it was Alan Cummings! (blush). I did like the love story, but the whole pregnancy angle seemed a bit too forced, and the whole mystery being solved at the end in one full swoop was a bit much. Still, it was nice to see O'Donnell acting before he sold himself out and started doing dreadful movies.

I originally watched this movie to see Ciaran Hinds (the college professor) who was wonderful in a supporting role.

I love this movie. It is so powerful in its simplicity. The actors were so embracable in their portrayals as young adults in the 50's with all the sexual taboos. The scenery is grand!

I watch this movie at least once a month and have recommended it to many friend who also enjoy it. (If you are into Irish countrysides you might want to watch "The Matchmaker" with David O'Hara - v. good also.)

It must be at least five or six years since I saw this movie last, and I couldn't remember much of it before I saw it again yesterday. That does not surprise me since Circle of Friends truly isn't a very memorable film. It's sweet and extremely well-acted (apart from the always boring Chris O'Donnell)... but that's about it.

It was fun, though, to see Minnie Driver, Saffron Burrows, and Aidan Gillen (Queer as Folk, UK version) in early roles. As always, Colin Firth delivered a fine performance.

If you're looking for the perfect movie for your next girls' night, find a copy of Circle of Friends. It's a classic '90s drama and a total chic flick, so don't invite any boys to your party.

Minnie Driver, after a few television credits, makes a splash in her film debut as the interesting, endearing center of a circle of friends in 1950s Ireland. She's overweight and unattractive, but while she's self-deprecating, she isn't fishing for compliments or insecure with who she is. She's mature, responsible, intelligent, sensitive, and also happens to be overweight and unattractive. Even with the Catholic Church frightening her, her parents not understanding her, and an unwelcome suitor trying to take the place of the boy she's falling in love with, she never turns bitter, angry, or ugly. She's a truly wonderful character, and the driving force of the film.

Minnie falls in love with Chris O'Donnell, who puts on an impressive Irish accent, but her parents want her to settle for Alan Cumming. She tells Chris to be careful with her, uttering the heartbreaking line, "I may look like a rhinoceros, but I've got thin skin," and warning the audience that they might want to reach for their handkerchiefs at some point later in the film. Minnie's friend Geraldine Rowe isn't given much to do, but her other friend, Saffron Burrows, is given a very challenging role. She starts the movie innocent, but as she lusts after the older Colin Firth, she changes.

Every actor in this movie gives realistic and powerful performances, and the story will tug on your heart long after you've finished. Certain movies have the feel of a bygone era, and this is one of them. It doesn't quite capture the feeling of the 1950s, but it certainly reminds you of the good old '90s.

Kiddy Warning: In this movie, there may or may not be a rape scene.

It's 1949 Knockglen, Ireland. Best friends Eve, Benny and Nan have their Confirmation Day. Then it's 1957. Nan Mahon (Saffron Burrows) is long gone to Dublin. Bernadette Hogan (Minnie Driver) and Eve Malone (Geraldine O'Rawe) have graduated. Orphan Eve's father was the wealthy Westward family's gardener. Simon (Colin Firth) is the dashing Westward son. The girls go to Dublin University College but Benny has to go home every night while Eve is living in a convent. They are reunited with social butterfly Nan at college. Benny falls for fellow student Jack Foley (Chris O'Donnell). Creepy Sean Walsh (Alan Cumming) from home has an eye for her. Aidan Lynch (Aidan Gillen) likes Eve. Nan wants the older Simon.

Minnie Driver may be a tall gal but the way she's described, she needs an extra 50 pounds. She probably needs to be uglier. On the other hand, Chris O'Donnell is way too pretty, not just handsome but swoopy-haired pretty. He's essentially the pretty girl in this romance and rather bland. They have good chemistry but not very heated one. It tries to do something with sexual rebellion in the repressive religious atmosphere. Even when the movie takes some twists, it never really surprises.

A movie that is at turns witty, charming, heartbreaking and truthful. There are many kinds of movies, and an entertaining and joyful movie is not the least of these. This is the kind of movie you can watch over and over again & never tire of it. The performances are fresh and sincere, and the script and direction are flawless. I recommend this movie if you want to see a slice of life that is simple and frank in how we relate to each other as human beings.

Although this movie lacked any sort of plot, and was forever flitting from one insignificant scene to the next, I was willing to watch it because of the fine acting performance by Minnie Driver and that there seemed to be a story shaping-up between her character and that of Chris O'Donnell's. When he left Bene sitting for almost the entire time of his party, opting to dance with her glamorous friend, instead, I should have been warned.

When this cad (Jack) actually tried and succeeded in getting Bene to dance as she was about to leave, I should have realized the black nature of this script and screenplay. When Jack has coitus with the glamorous friend (played by Saffron Burroughs) and gets her pregnant (he is told), he decides to tell Bene, whom he has, by then, some real affection for. As he is getting off the bus or trolley to meet her, tell her and break her heart, I turned the movie off and threw it out. A film really has to offend me for me to score fewer than 7 stars. No real plot and an apparent delight in hurting those vulnerable means a cinematic failure to me, even with Minnie Driver's memorable character and performance. The fact that Circle of Friends was based on a novel is no excuse. Another one should have been used. A fresh and compelling screenplay could have been developed, loosely using the characters of Bene and Jack. Certainly, this movie was talent wasted.

Having just completed the novel I decided to rent the movie. I knew that it wouldn't compare to the book, but the story was practically unrecognizable. Multi-dimensional characters were simplified (Eve had no spark in the movie, no anger), leaving you with little indication as to what their thoughts and motivations were. I was particulary disappointed to see that the special circumstances surrounding their initial meeting on the first day of university (the motorcycle accident) was completely rewritten in favour of a lack-lustre introduction. But the biggest disappointment was taking a story about friendship and turning it into a romance movie.

1st watched 7/13/1997 - (Dir-Pat O'Connor): Small, quiet movie in which the characters' portrayed keep your interest from beginning to end. O'Donnell in a pre-Robin role shows that he can act outside a costume.

As a "stand alone" this film is quite passable. If, however, you are a fan of Maeve Binchy and have read the book, you will probably spend a good deal of the film comparing the two, and the film comes off unfavourably. Some of the differences are minor, but the ending is completely different. I have no intention of comparing the two endings here as I don't want to be a spoiler, suffice it to say that if you have read the book, the film ending is a major disappointment. I also think that Benny was totally miscast. That the Benny of the book is a big woman is relevant to the storyline, whereas Minnie Driver, although quite tall, can't be called big under any stretch of the imagination. The film characters seemed wooden to me in comparison with the book characters. However, if you're not into reading books, the film is worth watching.

I love this movie it is one of my faves! I read the book before I saw the movie and Usually I am disappointed by the movies if i read the book first...but not in this case..it stays true to the book and minnie driver does an excellent job as "Benny"! Chris O'Donnell plays the role of jack magnificently! Benny may not be the most beautiful of her friends but she can still win over the most handsome guy! A great movie and a definite must see!

"Circle of Friends" tells of three Irish young women and best friends and their encounters with life, men, school, family matters, etc. Artistically and technically well done with Driver in the driver's seat nailing her part as usual, "Circle..." starts at a crawl and finds itself running at the end, ill timed, as though trying to squeeze its predictable story into a calculated number of minutes. The characters in the film, who are eminently obvious stereotypes, behave uncharacteristically in numerous situations as is required to make the story succeed in its attempts to elicit the desired emotions from the audience...hate for the villain, adoration for the heroine, etc. Overall, "Circle..." is an okay watch which will be most appreciated by young females and those who go with the flow while not being too discerning or analytical..

This is the story of three long time friends who grow into women in 1950's Ireland, set against Trinity College, Dublin and their home town. Benny is the shy one, Eve is well grounded and Nan is the sophisticated beauty. When they go to College Benny falls for Jack. It seems to be a match made in heaven until fate, in the form of Nan conspires against her.

We have to contend with the heart break of the death of Benny's father and of her betrayal by Nan and Jack. In the end she matures into a stronger woman and Nan leaves to have her baby.

This is a well played romantic drama. All of the players acquit themselves well, but why does Colin Firth always have to play such horrible people. This is one to sit down with and share with your partner to show your soft side.

I could have been Benny.

I saw the movie first, and it's struck such a chord deep inside of me. I WAS Benny! Fun, smart, witty, tons of male friends, but always aware. I was a little too heavy to be conventionally attractive. It affected every aspect of my life as I was involved in musical theater. I had never heard of the author, but when I saw the movie, I saw a character I connected with like none ever before. I learned so much from her about what was important in life and what was superficial.

I went on to read every Maeve Binchy book tell her death, which I mourned as if I have lost an aunt or grandmother. This movie, like all of her books, taught me so much about what it meant when people told you to "do the right thing" or "keep your chin up". But it also gave me the confidence to overcome my multi generationalfamily's nonstop reinforcement of "you would be so beautiful if you would just lose a little weight" Every girl is beautiful, just as she is, as long as she is a sweet, loving person deep inside. It took this movie to teach me that!

This is the first movie I ever saw with Minnie Driver, and I loved how the director made her get porked up for the role. We were meant to see the inner beauty of Benny, of course, but also to see that occasional external loveliness that can come through in her purely emotional situations.

Of course, I thought Nan was acting rather like a whore when she bedded Jack for all the wrong reasons, just as the audience was meant to despise such an act. As a whole, my emotions were pulled in all the right directions, so kudos to the directing crew!

A story of love, friendship, curiosity, betrayal, and forgiveness that hits all the right chords.

I saw this movie a couple of days ago while I was flipping through TV channels (this is how I find most of my favorite movies). I stubbled upon this treasure of a movie. I completely identified with the lead character, played by Minnie Driver. She was a girl that knew who she was but not where she fit and I admired her for all her confidence and selfconsious-ness, it made the character a real person, like everyone else and me (except I don't life in Ireland in 1940's). But the movie pulls you and shows you the secrets that some are hiding and the friendships that will endure the test of time. This very much is a chick-flick, but for all those chicks out there who want to watch a movie about love, loss, friendship, and everything else that comes with life this is the movie for you. My recommendation is: watch it with your friends and boyfriends it is really great! (Oh yeah i loved how realistic Minnie Drivers accent was!)