Circle of Friends (1995)reviewed by Benn "Where's the Humanity?" Farrell
"Circle of Friends" is based on the novel by Irish writer Maeve Binchy, same title, about three girlfriends who grew up and eventually grew apart. It focuses on how country living with parents, without parents and urban living can change people who start their lives at the same point. Set in Ireland during the 1950's, Benny Hogan, played by Academy Award® nominee Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting) in her introductory roll, is about to start her first year at the University of Dublin, commuting by bus. She starts attending with her friend Eve, whom she's grown up with, as is an orphan raised by nuns. Also starting that year is Nan, whom they were close to as children, but has since learned the life and sins of the city. As they begin to settle into their college lifestyles, they become interested in boys. For Benny, her interests turn towards Jack, played by Chris O'Donnell (Scent of a Woman), the only American actor to appear in the picture, and bearing the most horrible Irish accent ever. Luckily, O'Donnell isn't a big focus of the film, and doesn't have much to do with the plot until the third act. The girls spend most of the film trying to obey their Catholic upbringings, until the last act when Nan's choices get her in trouble, of which makes her stab her friends in the back. I really enjoyed the three female leading characters. I thought they were well developed and believable. Driver's character has a great memorable scene, eating dinner with her folks, yelling at them for pressuring her to marry a sleeze ball she dislikes. The sleeze ball is played masterfully by Alan Cumming (Son of the Mask), aided by a sleeze ball theme from the late music composer Michael Kamen. Driver is awesome in it, and she showed how dedicated she was to her craft early, allowing herself to gain 30 pounds for the role of Benny. Geraldine O'Rawe (Some Mother's Son) is also solid as her friend Eve, who ends up being the only grounded girl of the group. Saffron Burrows (Deep Blue Sea) is also very good as Nan. Lighting up the supporting cast was Colin Firth (Love Actually) as Nan's secret lover, who plays the role of rich spoiled child perfect. He's English, so it must have been easy for him. Director Pat O'Connor (Inventing the Abbots, Sweet November) has yet to do a better movie than "Circle of Friends." He uses blocking in every scene to represent the distance between the three girls, as "boys" become more important in their lives than each other. The picture is a drama, through and through. Some sequences feel VERY MUCH like a drama, but the characters' inner conflicts keep me interested in what happens to them next. The finale is paced well and highly anticipated once you find out how much of a b**ch Nan really is. If you want a nice chick flick to grab a blanket and curl up on the couch with, THIS one is the one. Guys, it may even be decent enough for you to live through if you're looking for a title to rent your lady-friend, hoping things get horizontal. You may have a good chance of that watching this picture together, and while the movie is going, make sure you say the phrase, "I can't believe people just look PAST Benny instead of seeing her for who she really is." I guarantee you'll win brownie points, and all it takes is the cost of a DVD rental. I really dig this pic. It's well thought out and well acted. That's all we can ask for as viewers these days. Benn - Where's the Humanity?
It is THIS kind of filmmaking, which inspires me so much. I know the story is a touchy-feely chick flick, but there is so much going on visually from a director's standpoint, I can't help think of this movie and smile.