Closed Circuit [Blu-ray]

Well, reviews of this movie are all over the map from 1 to 5 stars. For those contemplating whether or not to watch it, I'll try to give a fair review without TOO MANY plot-reveals.Yes, the story is fictional and all the action takes place in London, which means the court proceedings are different from the US. That doesn't mean that this story should not resonate with a US (or other Western, but perhaps especially a US) audience.The story begins with a truck blowing up and killing a goodly number of people: men, women and children. Of about 4 people that appear to be involved in a terrorist bombing, only one, a Turkish immigrant, survives and is charged with murder and various other charges.Because part of the evidence against him is said to be of "national security interest", 2 defense attorneys are assigned: one allowed to review the high-security evidence but only allowed to argue in sealed-court with strict laws against any public disclosure, or even disclosure to the other defense attorney--the one who argues in open court and only has access to non-secret evidence.Throwing in a prior affair between these two attorneys allows the film to complicate the plot in a number of ways: how do they feel about each other now? How and why did their affair end? Doesn't one have to recuse himself or herself according to British law? Don't "the authorities" --at the least, intelligence agents--already know they had an affair? If so, would that mean if they successfully argued for the defendant's innocence, would revelation of this relationship allow the whole trial to be thrown out and started anew with different defense attorneys?The central issue here is "who will guard the guardians"? If we have not only foreign but also domestic secret surveillance (which both the US and Britain do) then who assures that the information gleaned will only be used to protect the public and not for other motives, whether that be unsavory political motives, simply self-preservation by the intelligence community, repression of legitimate political dissidents, etc. The movie clearly raises these issues, but manages to dodge answering them one way or the other by distracting the audience with some mild action sequences, romantic interest and so on. On the whole, I think the message of the film is that whenever you have secret agencies whose actions are withheld from the public, INEVITABLY moral and legal lines DO get crossed. On the other hand it makes no attempt to suggest how to balance more oversight and less secrecy with legitimate security concerns.Unlike some reviewers, I thought the relationship between the two attorneys was interesting and their mutual attraction both obvious and believable. True, in the end trying to mix concerns about unaccountability, courtroom drama, action and suspense, and romance proves perhaps too much for one film to do well, so while I found it interesting enough to watch in a single sitting, it keeps it from being a great film.

3.5 starsA woman having lunch with her child, a man talking on his cell, people milling about, a man yelling at the a big white truck that was parked in the wrong place, Borough Market in London, and then a big white cloud as everything explodes. We see London from the view of split security cameras as this film opens, first one picture then two, four, eight, and the screen fills with the pictures of life that suddenly stops. What a magnificent beginning.The next view is a funeral of a lawyer who committed suicide under peculiar circumstances. Then, we discover the lawyer was assigned to defend one of the perpetrators of the bombing. Two new lawyers are assigned, one who will defend him in public, Martin Rose, played by Eric Bana, and a special advocate, Coaudia Simmons-Howe, played by Rebecca Hall. Her role is to defend the bomber in private sessions, and is the only person allowed to see secret evidence that even the defendant is not privy.The film becomes one of the line minded television series that is prevalent in the UK, good but not great. We see as the film moves along exactly what the outcome will be, the cat and mouse games, the one surprise may be the head of MI-5, but when we think about it, we know that was expected. People come and go, a US journalist who knew too much, the same taxi picks up Martin Rose until he catches on. Claudia Simmons-Howe fights harder because she is a woman, and she wants to do it her way.In a good light, we see the scenes of London, much of London we ordinarily would not see. The scull barn that houses Martin's scull, and a beautiful view of the Thames. The modern apartment of Claudia, with many sided windows that give a view into her private life. And, the cameras, everywhere, that record the lives of those who live in London, and, in this case the secret cameras, so someone knows what is always going on. The film kept me engrossed to a certain point, then I was just looking for the end.Recommended For Some. prisrob 01-19-14

Although the case advertises Digital, Universal puts limits on how long that lasts after initial release. This one is expired. If you really want the digital, buy it from VUDU.

Cast great! Very fast paced.

Like a Hollywood version of a UK crime series - could see the angles but they plot twists were not that clever or unexpected. Weak ending.

interesting movie, will watch again 👍

The movie case arrived without a disk in it. I wrote to the supplier whom quickly sent a new case with the disk inside. The disk was in perfect shape and played perfectly. The best way to judge a company is how they handle a problem situation. They were polite professional and quick. Thank you! This is also a great mystery story with solid actors. A must buy!

This movie is as important today as when it was made. The producers should attempt some type of sequel. Why not have an new cast attempt to uncover a widespread plot to destroy humanity with a malignant virus?

It can't be said that this "don't mess with the powerful" thriller breaks new ground but it covers the old ground in a more than acceptable manner with good performances turned in by actors playing credible characters.Two Barristers are working on a terrorism trial and it turns out that the state doesn't want every stone turned over. They've got previous and it could cause them professional problems.It's British rather than American so there is less hyperbole and fewer statements of the obvious presented as constitutional matters requiring a Congressional Inquiry and (IMHO...) better scenery.Enjoyable if not award winning.

I like any stories with MI5 involved. In this one they are the bad guys trying to cover up a catastrophic error.And they will go to any lengths to do that. I wish it were longer, it needs another chapter/plot. But its very good!

This is a solid thriller but no action movie, the cast are convincing and the plot believable with a few touches of originality. There are a couple of unnecessary cliches that should have been avoided. In truth its a 31/2 rather than a 4 but more thoughtful than most films of this type and worth watching.

An unattractive film full of unattractive people if this failed to get an audience or make its money back I'm not a bit surprised. If I'd realised how much I would dislike the performances and the actors giving them, particularly the excruciating female lead, I would never have gone near this.

Highly recommended superb film