Review of Closed Circuit (2013) by Dave J — 21 Sep 2014

Monday, September 22, 2014.

(2013) Closed Circuit.

MYSTERY THRILLER/ SUSPENSE.

The set up has a familiar ring to "Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord" popular movie series, (1986) "The Whistle Blower", "Hidden Agenda" as well as to be defined as the UK version of "Michael Clayton". Except that the excitement doesn't start to pick up, until at least after the 38 minute mark. It centers on a bombing that seemed like it was connected to a Turkish descent named, Farrough Erdogan (Denis Moschitto) who at first was assumed as a terrorist. And at the same time, Martin Rose (Eric Bana) and his ex, Claudia Simmons-Howe (Rebecca Hall) are arriving at a funeral of a former friend who was appointed as a defense barrister, but was now deceased assumed to have committed suicide. Both Martin and Claudia then agree to act as defense barristers as a replacement of their late friend. That is when corruption begins to reveal itself as soon as both Martin and Claudia start to 'rebel' against the UK court judiciary system protocol.

To enjoy this film one would have to understand how the UK judiciary system works between barrister and solicitor, and at the same time demand the patience that's required. I'm a big sucker for movies regarding the possibility of 'high authority and corruption' that is frequent in Vladimir Putin's Russia as we speak since it's Putin's friends and confidants that dictate him how to govern. In this case, it centers on MI 5 and MI 6 agents which when watching this film reminiscent of the excerpts I've read from the "Spy Catcher" book written by Peter Wright. One of the things I didn't like was when the movie made the Claudia Simmons-Howe stupid on a scene regarding putting on her musical headphones on when her ex- hubby was trying to contact her even though at the end nothing came out of it. We're also incapable to understand why the protagonists didn't make multiple copies out of the USB drives, so that they can have the option to send it to the media and so forth. Much of it is also very routine we can't get from older films with the only difference that this film is much more current than say the ones I listed above.

2.5 out of 4 stars.