Brilliant and touching

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Appointed to defend a foreigner accused of planning an elaborate terrorist attack, two British lawyers become increasingly convinced that a government conspiracy is afoot and that their client is merely a scapegoat. Promising a premise as this might be, things are far more complex and convoluted here - something that renders 'Closed Circuit' more thought-provoking than the average conspiracy thriller but also far less intense and involving. With the past romantic history of the two lawyers, which they have to keep secret while working on the case together (why not admit it straight up?) without communicating with one another since part of the trial is being heard in closed court where only one of them is present, the film gets bogged down in so much exposition that there rarely is a chance for any sense of paranoia to develop. Considering the economical runtime (just over 90 minutes), it also often feels like too much time is dedicated to the drama between the lawyers as opposed to the drama that they are meant to be investigating... though the film actually overstays its welcome with an extraneous final scene. Comedy veteran actor Jim Broadbent is also a tad miscast in a role that a more sinister dramatic actor would usually play. Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall are at least solid in the main roles and they manage to carry the film through its less exciting patches. The film also deserves some marks for effectively including CCTV footage at several key points, if not quite as frequently as one might expect based on the very promising promotional posters.

The tagline for this film "they see your every move" has been a very relevant theme in my country (New Zealand) lately, brought to light in our general election. The debate over spying and what was and was not acceptable raged throughout the country for months on end and was a very hot topic among the politicians. 'Closed Circuit' seems to have marketed itself as a film based around this, however when you actually get around to watching it it's very much a background issue merely used to drive the plot in a few instances. Usually I would be disappointed about being mislead like this, but in this case the film itself more than makes up for it.Here we have an intelligent, well-written and well acted thriller. The way that everything is so story driven you could easily have mistaken this for an American movie. It's taken the best of both British and American film and combined them perfectly. Eric Bana, admittedly not one of my favourite actors, is passable in this. He adequately drives the story and carries one or two scenes which require it.The ending seems to be a bone of contention for a few people. Personally I liked it. Too many people these days demand a movie be wrapped up in a tight little basket of perfection at the end, but sadly that's not how the world works. There isn't always justice in this world of ours and I admire any movie brave enough to portray that.

As an inveterate conspiracy theorist (within reason) I found Closed Circuit a guaranteed vehicle for the genre. However, it was a bit slow and, I guess, that was intentional as I'm sure the main purpose of the film was to make the viewer think.However, whether one goes to a movie to be made to think is debatable. Personally I go for lighter entertainment than this because, as a writer about and student of conspiracy theories, I don't really want to have to think about a fictional one in my leisure time. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the movie for me was its setting. The plot seemed to lend itself much more to America and the very dubious clandestine activities of the CIA than "dear old Blighty"! But, then again, perhaps giving Closed Circuit an English setting might have opened a few eyes. See! It isn't only in America where these things happen!In a way, the film was far too near the mark to be even taken as entertainment. Were it not for the obviously stage-managed subtleties and innuendos, it could just as well have been a British version of a Michael Moore documentary only much slower. The ending was also somewhat truncated, I felt.If you like to have your mind exercised Closed Circuit will certainly please you but if you prefer to just unwind and be entertained, give it a miss.

I have a friend who says that subject line to his history students, and he also says it when he's called up for jury duty. The power of the state is awesome. Because it is, it should be careful how that power is used.Well, ha-ha, we all know that doesn't happen, and that's what Closed Circuit is about. The beginning of the movie shows a bomb going off in a public place in London, killing 121 people. The bomber, Farroukh Erdogan (Denis Moschitto) is arrested.The case is assigned to two lawyers, Martin Rose and Claudia Simmons-Howe (Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall). The two have a connection: they are ex-lovers, and Martin's affair with her broke up his marriage.Claudia is to represent the interests of Erdogan in a private hearing, which in itself is controversial. She and Martin are not to have any contact with one another once the she is shown confidential information. This is so the public trial will not be compromised.Later, Martin attends a party and meets a New York Times reporter. She tells him something that makes him realize that his every move is being watched. Martin and Claudia get into the case and find out that the defendant is not who he appears to be. And their lives are in jeopardy.Suspenseful and thought-provoking, this is a well-acted, excellent drama about the lengths government will go to to protect itself -- forget about the citizens. I think people realize that today there is no such thing as privacy, and I'm sure most people realize the government is corrupt. But how corrupt? That's something, from the low rating on this board, that most people don't understand.The ending of this film may be a little pat, but don't let it keep you from seeing this film.