Circle of Friends, 1995, Rating 12, Run Time: 98 minutes
Circle of Friends, is another great girlie movie, a genre that I am very familiar with if you have read any of my other film reviews. It is based on the novel by Maeve Binchy.
The Story:
Set in Ireland in the 50’s we are ... Read review
The same year as the BBC'sPride and Prejudice(1995) writer Andrew Davies and star Colin ... more
Firth were also hard at work onCircle of Friends, an Irish romance brought to the big screen by director Pat O'Connor (Dancing at Lughnasa). It's 1957 and three sma...
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For everyone who ever though the person they loved was out of their reach. Sometimes ... more
dreams do come true.Set in 1950s Ireland, best friends Benny (Minnie Driver) and Eve (Geraldine O'Rawe) escape the confines of their hometown to attend college in Dubl...
Bring the spiritual tradition and native artforms of the Aztec and Mayan to your home. ... more
Pre-Columbian primitive design pottery. From the custom of gathering around a fire to celebrate peace and brotherhood. Holds a Tealight or Votive sized candle. h 12....
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Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Shelagh Fraser, Barbara Flynn, Keith Drinkel, Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Colin Douglas
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: great acting and story Disadvantages: Collin firths moustache
Circle of Friends, 1995, Rating 12, Run Time: 98 minutes
Circle of Friends, is another great girlie movie, a genre that I am very familiar with if you have read any of my other film reviews. It is based on the novel by Maeve Binchy.
The Story:
Set in Ireland in the 50’s we are introduced to three young girls Benny, Eve and Nan on the day of their communion, they are full of the innocence ... .../>
Benny is a thick set child with dark curly locks who lives wit her over protective but proud parents.
Eve is an orphan child being brought up by local nuns in the convent, her parents had a tragic death and when Eve turns 18 she is set to inherent a her parents house and funds for her studies.
Nan is a beautiful girl with a slight air of arrogance about her, after communism her parents move from the village. more
Circle of Friends, 1995, Rating 12, Run Time: 98 minutes
Circle of Friends, is another great girlie movie, a genre that I am very familiar with if you have read any of my other film reviews. It is based on the novel by Maeve Binchy.
The Story:
Set in Ireland in the 50’s we are introduced to three young girls Benny, Eve and Nan on the day of their communion, they are full of the innocence of youth and the best of friends.
Benny is a thick set child with dark curly locks who lives wit her over protective but proud parents.
Eve is an orphan child being brought up by local nuns in the convent, her parents had a tragic death and when Eve turns 18 she is set to inherent a her parents house and funds for her studies.
Nan is a beautiful girl with a slight air of arrogance about her, after communism her parents move from the village.
We are then taken to the girls first day at university; Benny is commuting by bus every day while Eve is set to stay in a Covent near by. The girls are excited about the life’s that lie ahead of them, and are pleased when they run into their old friend Nan. Nan has become quite a lady and I very popular with the boys, in particular a medical student called Jack.
Jack catches the eye of Benny, but being conches of her looks Benny is to afraid to say anything assuming he likes Nan, that is until they all attend a college dance together.
Benny longs to spend more time with Jack but with her over protective parents putting pressure on her to date her fathers work associate creepy Shaun Walsh she is finding it increasingly difficult.
Mean while Eve also finds herself a boyfriend and starts to throw parties at the house she has inherited from her parents.
Nan also starts seeing an older man and finds her self in a spot of bother; desperate for some form of escape she puts Jack’s love for Benny to the test.
My thoughts:
I just really love this film so much, it is a sweet story of romance and friendship, I love the setting for the film it is really beautiful and shows Ireland in the 50’s. The costumes are also great especially when they are all dressed up for the dance.
I think Minnie Driver is brilliant as Benny and her Irish accent is faultless, this was at the start of her career and you can see the budding star in her. I can really relate to Benny’s character, a curvy girl with alack in confidence. She has some great lines in this film my favourites being:
‘I may look like rhinoceros, but I have quite thin skin really’
‘Oh my I look like the bough of a ship’ (referring to her large bosoms)
I also love a conversation that she has with jack, it just shows her openness beautifully and illustrates how well Benny and Jack get long together.
Benny: Have you ever gone all the way with a girl? Jack: No. Not quite Benny: Would you like to? Jack: Now? Benny: No. It wasn't an invitation - just a request for information.
Characters:
The talented Minnie Driver plays Bernadette or 'Benny' as she is known, a thick set Irish girl with a pretty face, longing for excitement and love but being held back by her over protective parents. Benny has a wonderful personality and a warm hearted nature; she can be too kind and trusting for her own good sometimes. Minnie Driver’s performance in this role is faultless and she Won the 1996 CFCA Award Most Promising Actress Award for her performance in this film.
The Gorgeous Chris O'Donnell plays Jack Foley a medical student who is highly popular. Jack has always been the centre of attention and could have his pick of all the women, but it is the unsuspecting Benny with her down to earth attitude who really gets to know the real Jack. Chris O’ Donnell went on to play Robin in the Batman films and Dr. Finn Dandridgein Greys Anatomy.
Hogan Geraldine O'Rawe plays Eve Malone a orphaned child raised by the nuns Eve has grown to depend on her best friend. Eve is a strong person full of determination; she is independent and would do anything for Benny. Hogan Geraldine O’Rawe gives a very natural performance as Eve and is a great supporting actress to Minnie Driver.
The Beautiful Saffron Burrows plays Nan Mahon a elegant young lady with high expectations for herself. Nan has drifted away from Eve & Benny and some what laughs at their fascination with the college boys wanting to find her a more wealthy man. In her process Nan brakes many hearts and loses many friends.
Alan Cumming plays the creepy Sean Walsh; Sean works for Benny’s father and has his eye on the business and Benny for himself. I have to say Alan Cumming is very convincing as the Creepy Sean and he makes my skin crawl.
The Handsome Colin Firth plays Simon Westward a relation of Eve’s and a very wealthy man. Simon likes to make his presence known and is very astute indeed. When he sees something that he wants he makes sure that he gets it. I have to admit I didn’t realise it was Collin Firth at first, he looks very different with a moustache, but his voice is still very distinctive.
Special Features include commentary with the director and actors about the film and the story.
Where can I get it?
The DVD is available on Amazon New for £8.98 or New & Used from £6.34
Advantages: Aah its lovely Disadvantages: Not as good as the book, obviously.
Set in 1950s Ireland, Circle of Friends is based on Maeve Binchy's coming-of-age story about a group of friends dealing with growing up in a strictly Catholic community.
The film begins as Benny Hogan and Eve Malone venture into the big wide world of Dublin to start their university education having previously lived in the pretty backwater village of Knockglen. In Dublin they meet the beautiful and worldly Jack Foley and Nan Mahon who introduce ... ...is your classic love story - girl meets boy, girl and boy argue, girl and boy get back together. However, one pleasing aspect of the film is that the girl in question (Benny - played by Minnie Driver) is supposed to be particularly ordinary looking, whereas the boy (Jack - played by Chris O'Donnell) is very handsome. It gives us all a bit of hope, eh? I'd like to meet an Irish rugby-playing Chris O'Donnell myself. Its not all so straightforward, ...
RuthHolohan 31.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Circle Of Friends (Special Edition) (DVD)
Advantages: good characters, enjoyable plot Disadvantages: not the same as the book, can be too Irish
...necessarily corny romantic comedies.
Circle of Friends starring Minnie Driver Colin Firth and Chris o Donnel is based on the best selling Maeve Binchy novel is certainly in this list of familiar films that I love. I picked the video up at a car boot sale or about a pound and turn to it with a packet of Prinfgles when the weather is horrible outside and there is nothing on the television.
The film made in 1995 is a coming of age romantic drama set ... ...It realty is not a guys film. Duskman thought it was ok but I am sure he really did not get it.
Al in all Circle of Fiends is a simple but involving romantic drama with characters you care about that makes your feel all warm and fuzzy inside. ...
duskmaiden 22.07.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Circle Of Friends (Special Edition) (DVD)
This is based on the book ‘Circle of Friends’ by Maeve Binchy and, for once, I think that the film is actually better than the book. The story is set in Ireland and focuses on three friends, Benny (Minnie Driver), Eve and Nan who are just starting to go to university. The story shows how the three girls are affected by their Catholic upbringing as they find themselves in relationships at university. Chris O’Donnell plays Benny’s boyfriend, Jack. ... ...Nan gets involved with while Eve’s unbelievably patient and devoted boyfriend is played by Aidan Gillen (who is most famous for playing Stuart in the TV Series, ‘Queer as Folk’). The film is wonderful, despite some dodgy Irish accents, and I think that this is definitely a film worth watching. ...
Orinoco 03.08.2000
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Review of Circle Of Friends (Special Edition) (DVD)
Advantages: authentic sets, good storyline, acting Disadvantages:
Set in 1950s based on Maeve Binchy's novel, Ireland Minnie Driver plays a young woman just starting at Trinity University in Dublin with her two best friends from school. It's here that she first claps eyes on Chris O'Donnell and she falls for him in a big way.
It's a tale of going head first into adulthood, dealing with sexuality in the midst of strict catholic upbringings and the hurt & euphoria of first love.
Parties, men, booze and struggling ... ...way.
A cameo appearance by Colin Firth as the landed gentry who uses and abuses one of Driver's best friend is also always worth a look.
Brilliant sets and very authentically done, it's a gentle winding story of love, lust and friendship and a coming of age.
No swearing, sex or salivation in sight. ...
corman 10.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Circle Of Friends (Special Edition) (DVD)
Advantages: THE PLOT THICKENS, THE everyday gal gets her guy. Disadvantages:
oohh this film is the one and only film where the not so attractive actress gets her man.
She works in the family business in a taylor shop her parent hope she marries the employee thats a total creep but shes off to college and falls for a young charming man but hes just friendly to all.
then one day she bumps into him in her local town and they go off for a friendley chat. their friendship gets stronger and they end up having a relationship but ... ...found out that she is in the club and her older man isnt interested the best friend gets mimi drivers man drunk and pretends that she has slept with him and they have made a baby. mini driver is hurt and shocked that chris odonnell has done this to her. but then mini drivers other friend tells her the truth and chris and her get back together and its a happy ending.
SHE GETS HER MAN ...
Jgevaux 26.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Circle Of Friends (Special Edition) (DVD)
It's Dublin 1957. A group of girls Nan, Benny and Eve meet up with the star of the college rugby team, Jack Foley. Although Jack seems attracted to Nan at first his relationship with Benny is soon beginning. Based on the novel by Maeve Binchy.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
ITV DVD; CINRAM LOGISTICS, 4 FRONT VIDEO; UNIVERSAL MUSIC OPERATIONS
Release date
19/02/2007, 16/02/2004
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
3711523983, 822 230 1
Barcode
5037115239839, 5050582223019
Languages
Main Language
English
Hearing Impaired Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Interactive menu, Trailer, Featurette, Interviews
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen, 4:3 Full Frame
Sound
Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Stereo
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital Stereo English
Professional reviews
Review
"...Revisit CIRCLE as the movie that lulls you into believing that romance is possible with anyone..." -- Rating:B (Entertainment Weekly, pp.58-9, 11/08/1995)
"...It's sweet and winsome....It's satisfying..." (Los Angeles Times, p.F5, 15/03/1995)
"...Minnie Driver gives a lovely performance....The film's visual style is suitably quaint, accentuating the natural colors of the Irish setting..." (New York Times, p.C14, 15/03/1995)
"...[A] funny and touching fable....Driver's tough core of honesty and wit is bewitching..." (Rolling Stone, p.129, 23/03/1995)
"...Warm-hearted....Minnie Driver handles this tricky assignment with considerable aplomb..." (Sight and Sound, p.41-2, 01/05/1995)
"...[CIRCLE has] wit and warmth..." (USA Today, p.6D, 15/03/1995)
"...Evocative....A romantic fable with universal meanings....Driver brings extraordinary intensity and tenderness to [her role]..." (Variety, 13/03/1995)
DVD Description
In this sentimental study of life, friendship, and romance, three girlhood chums attend college together. One, a straightforward, rather plain lass (Minnie Driver), sets her sights on the best-looking boy in school (Chris O'Donnell), and their tender relationship belies their differences. The film is based on a novel by Maeve Binchy.
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