Closed Circuit

Name: Closed Circuit
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Released: August 28, 2013
Duration: 96 min
Rating: 50
Cast: Ciarán Hinds, Eric Bana, Jim Broadbent, Rebecca Hall

2013

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 39 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 47 Ratings

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6.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 47 Ratings

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Closed Circuit

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: August 28, 2013 | R

Starring: Ciarán Hinds, Eric Bana, Jim Broadbent, Rebecca Hall

Summary: Martin and Claudia are lawyers and ex-lovers who find themselves put at risk after they join the defense team for an international terrorist's trial.

Director: John Crowley

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 96 min

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Critic Reviews

James Berardinelli

Aug 28, 2013

The movie is low-key but each scene is packed with information. Full understanding demands full attention. Read full review

Claudia Puig

Aug 27, 2013

Not only an intelligent, well-told and deftly acted story, it provides refreshing counter-programming in a season filled with noisy, uninspired sequels and mindless action movies. Read full review

Manohla Dargis

Aug 28, 2013

The director, John Crowley, handles Steve Knight’s snaky script capably, introducing the characters, their backgrounds and the political stakes in bold strokes. Read full review

McClatchy-Tribune News Service Roger Moore

Aug 26, 2013

Blame it on the weak chemistry of the stars, blame it on the way the script refuses to let them develop chemistry and the perfunctory way the story is dispensed with, but the sparks aren’t there. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Aug 27, 2013

This is a well-made, topical thriller with a top-notch cast — but the script and the directorial/editing choices undercut nearly every pivotal scene, and every plot twist we can see coming two scenes in advance. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Aug 27, 2013

To Crowley's credit, Closed Circuit is decidedly unflashy. But maybe that's a liability: There's a fine line between restrained and drab, and Closed Circuit falls just on the wrong side of it. Read full review

Time Out London Tom Huddleston

Oct 22, 2013

How Knight and Crowley managed to persuade such upstanding actors – not to mention Jim Broadbent, Anne-Marie Duff, Ciaran Hinds and Riz Ahmed – to take part in this fiasco is destined to remain a mystery. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Trite. Read full review

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User Reviews

adamtester

Sep 6, 2013

A refreshing change from your over-the-top, absurd dramas, Closed Circuit was Gripping, Conceivable, required the audience to actually think, featured a constantly and subtly twisting plot and had a firm foundation in the world we live in, and how far people in positions of power will go.A refreshing change from your over-the-top, absurd dramas, Closed Circuit was Gripping, Conceivable, required the audience to actually think, featured a constantly and subtly twisting plot and had a firm foundation in the world we live in, and how far people in positions of power will go.
When I came home after watching it, I actually expected to see a news story about the British Justice system.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Mateobeamin

Oct 24, 2013

The movie was ok to watch. No real substance. B acting. Never really caught my attention. I just was really hoping for something with a little drama but it was really bland. Next time I think I'll do a little more research before spending 13$ on a movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BHBarry

Aug 31, 2013

“Closed Circuit” stars Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall and Jim Broadbent in this British courtroom drama involving terrorism, Britain’s MI 5, and a horrendous crime that is the subject of the film. Well written by Steven Knight (“Eastern Promises”, “Dirty Pretty Things”) and ably directed by John“Closed Circuit” stars Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall and Jim Broadbent in this British courtroom drama involving terrorism, Britain’s MI 5, and a horrendous crime that is the subject of the film. Well written by Steven Knight (“Eastern Promises”, “Dirty Pretty Things”) and ably directed by John Crowley, this film will keep the viewer on the edge of the theater seat from the very first frame as the story unwinds into the intricacies of espionage, terrorism and the legal system under which all of the parties are operating. One of the more positive things about this film is that, although the plot is complicated and extremely involved, excellent writing and editing help make the most difficult of legal concepts and problems easy to understand and follow. This is no small task to accomplish given the intricacies and rules of law being applied. I give this film an 8 for above average acting, writing, editing and directing, all of which make for a very exciting theatrical experience.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

LeZee

Aug 17, 2016

Revealing the truth or sparing the lives with a deal.

This is from the director of 'Brooklyn' and that's the obvious reason for I'm here. Looks like many haven't liked it, but for me it was an okay film. Seen plenty of similar themes, so I did not find anything special from this. ThatRevealing the truth or sparing the lives with a deal.

This is from the director of 'Brooklyn' and that's the obvious reason for I'm here. Looks like many haven't liked it, but for me it was an okay film. Seen plenty of similar themes, so I did not find anything special from this. That means easily predictable story, but I just went through till the end to learn how it all ends. Apparently that's how the narration goes, without a twist. You will know right from the beginning who's behind the bomb blast that takes place at the opening.

Well written screenplay, but that was not enough for the film buffs or the critics, it might work for people who watch films occasionally. Looks like based on the real, but there's nothing in the opening or in the end of the film about it. Eric Bana and Rebbeca Hall as the ex and lawyers, takes up a high profile case which will be a secret trial. So theirs every move will be watched. Until one day they discover the truth which threatens their lives. The rest of the film reveals whether they successfully accomplish the undertaking or not.

In some parts, it was mild thrilling, but the developments were ordinary. Especially it never clears us the motive, just leaves some understandable terms. This is a dramatised thriller than a cinematised crime-mystery with powerful dialogues and stunts. They tried it to be a quite realistic, but was not successful. So there was not any extraordinary performance, both the leads were pretty decent. Had potential to be a great film may be in addition of a few action sequences. Overall, not a bad film, just one time watchable.

6.5/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Cinemaphile

Jul 29, 2016

Closed Circuit is a paint by the numbers thriller with few thrills. Despite the exceptional cast of that would please the stodgiest of Anglophiles, there's no tension between any of the characters. In fact, the reason for this is Steven Knight's script, which "tells" more than it shows. WhatClosed Circuit is a paint by the numbers thriller with few thrills. Despite the exceptional cast of that would please the stodgiest of Anglophiles, there's no tension between any of the characters. In fact, the reason for this is Steven Knight's script, which "tells" more than it shows. What we get is characters basically knocking down individual domino plot points with little or no effort or conflict, then scene after scene of the character's exposition of those discoveries. Yawn.

Worth watching for the set piece of London and an insider look into the British justice system, but not worth first run ticket price.

Worth a slot on your Netflix / Redbox queue.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

sanyrub

Mar 2, 2015

The film is not too long and is an entertaining watch. People who like thrillers will enjoy it. I had a good time watching it. However, my rate can not be higher because it is not too original, nothing truly stands out and it feels like we have already seen something similar before. Still,The film is not too long and is an entertaining watch. People who like thrillers will enjoy it. I had a good time watching it. However, my rate can not be higher because it is not too original, nothing truly stands out and it feels like we have already seen something similar before. Still, it is ok to have a good time, not every serious films is made to captivate and be praised. You can definitely stream it.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Devilmath

Sep 27, 2015

After a bomb blows away Borough Market and dozens of human lives, Farrouk Erdogan is arrested. He is the only survivor of the terrorist group that allegedly planned the attack, and he is now at the center of what promises to be the biggest terrorism trial in British history. Forget the JohnAfter a bomb blows away Borough Market and dozens of human lives, Farrouk Erdogan is arrested. He is the only survivor of the terrorist group that allegedly planned the attack, and he is now at the center of what promises to be the biggest terrorism trial in British history. Forget the John Grisham-style legal thrillers from overseas, though, and expect no “Law & Order” either. This is boring London, with barristers, solicitors, and a lot of technicalities. But there is a catch: in terrorism cases, for reasons ascribed to so-called national security, the Crown Prosecution Service can use classified evidence. Its content can be disclosed neither to the defendant nor to their lawyer, let alone to the general public. This is when a Special Advocate comes into play: a barrister appointed by the State to ensure a fair trial, the sole person authorised to examine the secret evidence and represent the defendant during “closed sessions”. It’s as complicated as it sounds, and given the key role it plays in the film, dialogues are full of ad-hoc explanations, grossly inserted and repeated to ease the audience’s understanding. To make “Closed Circuit” at least a little interesting, the Special Advocate and the barrister, who in theory can’t even talk to each other, are lovers. And they will break all rules to solve the case and defend Erdogan.

“Closed Circuit” stars Eric Bana as Martin, the defense barrister who likes to go canoeing on the Thames (a perfect excuse to get a shot of Westminster and other characteristic landmarks), and Rebecca Hall as Claudia, in the supporting role of the Special Advocate. The cast also includes the all-but-talented Hasancan Cifci as Erdogan's son, Ciarán Hinds as Martin's mate Devlin, and the great Jim Broadbent as the Attorney General. Broadbent plays the powerful man that loves to blab about how “transparent and fair” the judiciary process is, even if he’s just a tool of the powers that be, who doesn’t hesitate to sacrificy his integrity. His role as Chief Inspector in “Hot Fuzz” immediately comes to mind: looking at him, wide-eyed, always minimising the worst atrocities, it’s impossible not to giggle.

As the Big Brother is always watching through CCTV, Martin and Claudia’s investigative journey becomes more and more dangerous. Although the trailer warns that “Everyone is being watched” and “every moment is being recorded”, promising psychologically and even politically relevant twists, everything actually dissolves into banal conspiracies and chases through the dark streets of London. But what’s the role of secret services in all this? What does Erdogan's son know that can’t be revealed? Watching “Closed Circuit”’s trailer is enough to answer all these important questions; the film itself doesn’t amount to much. Beyond the first twenty minutes, it’s nothing but an unoriginal collection of the genre’s trademarks. Martin and Claudia’s rush towards the resolution adds very little to a story that already struggles to achieve the right pace and consistency. You find yourself expecting a twist that never comes, and before you notice it, the film reaches the most anticlimactic possible ending. Maybe because real life is boring, and certain things only happen in films. Is this what director John Crowley and talented screenwriter Steven Knight (“Eastern Promises”, “Dirty Pretty Things”) are trying to tell us? If this is the case, I really wonder why someone would choose to watch “Closed Circuit” instead of enjoying real life.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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