Closed Circuit

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.

With good performances and good chemistry from Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall, "Closed Circuit" is an exciting legal thriller that makes you wonder whether there may be something about those conspiracy theories that we have all heard since 9/11. Beautifully crafted, the film will keep you on the edge of your seat and inform you about the British legal system. If, toward the end, it turns a bit into the realm of make believe, it is all done in a way where the protagonists never seem so far fetched in their actions that all of a sudden the film turns into Mission Impossible. Everyone knows that this IS possible and it's what makes the film good.

Writer Steven Knight (Eastern Promises, Dirty Pretty Things, Redemption) has turned out another tense thriller that is all the more poignant because of the state of affairs with all countries win their subterfuge of crossing lines with the various branches of 'justice' and investigation now made more visible post Edward Snowden's lifting of the veil of secrecy that has for so long confused the public as to how the governments actually function in the struggle with terrorism. This one of course focuses on Britain's multi-phased departments both in criminal work and judicial response. If for no other reason this film is worth watching to see just how occult those sorts of dealings are an how in essence our individual privacy is a dinosaur. A high-profile terrorism case involving an alleged Turkish terrorist Farroukh Erdogan (Denis Moschitto) who sets off a major bomb in central London, killing scores of people unexpectedly binds together two ex-lovers Martin (Eric Bana) and Claudia (Rebecca Hall) on divisive sides of the defense team - testing the limits of their loyalties and placing their lives in jeopardy. The cast of characters on both sides of the Turkish terrorist plot are polished and conniving and include Ciarán Hinds, Jim Broadbent, Anne-Marie Duff, Julia Stiles (the sole American in the mêlée), Riz Ahmed, Kenneth Cranham, to name a few excellent performances. The use of multiple screens throughout the film not only enhances the plot but also laces a magnifying glass on the techniques of the security measures that affect us all. This is a fast moving, tense, credible movie that carries far more importance than the story it tells. Well worth watching, especially in view of the increasing exposure of understanding terrorism thanks to the presence of television series such as Homeland, Person of Interest, Strike Back et al.

Grady Harp

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.

Well watch this film to find out. Good actors, great locations, beautiful cinematography, what's left? oh, script and direction. Actually it's not that simple, It's hard to figure out just what is bad about this film. The pacing is out, it comes across as kinda boring, making out the sinister in the mundane and then turning down the heat. The all powerful unstoppable MI5 apparently has only a handful of operatives. The same people seem to be on 24 our call to do cliché henchmen work. Organisations that are all knowing and powerful seem to trip over their feet in the next scene. The ending (don't fight it, it's bigger than the both of us and in the end it is for the public good) was a decent point to make, but oh what a crappy way of making it. This film ended up being confused instead of exciting and intriguing. What a waste of good resources.