Review of Closed Circuit (2013) by Jeffrey M — 15 Mar 2014

Intermittently compelling and also predictable, Closed Circuit is the sort of thriller that you want to really like, often do, and yet can't help but be underwhelmed by. The film pits two ex-lovers with each other on a defense team for an accused mastermind bomber, though technically barred from communicating with one-another, on account of National Security interests. It's an interesting premise, yet one that never seems to reach its full potential.

What Closed Circuit did well was create the sort of hyper-aware state of tension we are in the West, especially true of the incredibly surveilled city of London. The backdrop of this makes Closed Circuit feel timely, with a fair amount of paranoia. Director John Crowley did a good job using this paranoia to fuel the tension on screen, heightening the stakes appropriately. I also appreciated the legal framework for which the film is set in, exploring the Orwellian system that has both "secret evidence" and "fairness". The performances are also strong, with the underrated Eric Bana having a fair amount of chemistry with Rebecca Hall.

Where Closed Circuit fails, or at least underachieves, is in its climax and resolution. We see the beats before they occur, with the ending having a curiously ambiguous tone.

The film seemed to lack a daring sensibility to it, almost appearing critical of its subject, yet never fully thrusting itself in to it. Instead, it opted for an easier avenue, with predictable outcomes and bland commentary.

3/5 Stars.