
It was a typical morning in London when a powerful bomb exploded in the heart of the city. After the smoke cleared, sole surviving terrorist cell member Farroukh Erdogan (Denis Moschitto) was quickly taken into custody. As preparations for his trial begin, however, the government's plan to use classified evidence to prosecute the suspect leads the Attorney General (Jim Broadbent) to appoint Special Advocate Claudia Simmons-Howe (Hall) to the case. Claudia's unique position as... (Full plot summary below)
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It was a typical morning in London when a powerful bomb exploded in the heart of the city. After the smoke cleared, sole surviving terrorist cell member Farroukh Erdogan (Denis Moschitto) was quickly taken into custody. As preparations for his trial begin, however, the government's plan to use classified evidence to prosecute the suspect leads the Attorney General (Jim Broadbent) to appoint Special Advocate Claudia Simmons-Howe (Hall) to the case. Claudia's unique position as a government-approved defense lawyer ensures that she can review the top-secret evidence, and advocate for full disclosure during the inevitable "closed" session portion of the trial. Once Claudia has reviewed the evidence, however, any communication with the defense team and the defendant himself is strictly forbidden. Later, When Erdogan's lawyer dies just before the trial begins, Claudia's driven ex-lover, attorney Martin Rose (Bana), takes his place. Realizing that their previous affair could jeopardize their involvement with the case, Claudia and Martin vow to keep the relationship a well-guarded secret. In time, however, Martin's exhaustive investigation reveals evidence of a shocking conspiracy that threatens to consume them both.
Leave your thoughts about Closed Circuit.
| St. Paul Pioneer PressChris Hewitt (St. Paul)The classy cast, especially Broadbent -- who keeps earning his 2002 Oscar over and over -- keeps things watchable, but "Closed Circuit" grows increasingly contrived. |
| St. Paul Pioneer PressChris HewittThe classy cast, especially Broadbent -- who keeps earning his 2002 Oscar over and over -- keeps things watchable, but "Closed Circuit" grows increasingly contrived. |
| Digital JournalSarah GopaulThe acting is adequate, but even their hearts don't seem to be in it the majority of the time. |
| Screen It!Jim JudyWhile that's nothing too new in terms of conspiracy-themed thriller flicks, I found the first half of the film fairly engrossing. (Full Parental Review also available) |
| Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)Ken HankeIntelligent, compelling drama of a kind we don't get very often. |
| Metro Times (Detroit, MI)Corey HallIn its best moments, Closed Circuit evokes '70s paranoid classics like Three Days of the Condor but without anything particularly new or unique to add on to the old cynical story of how power corrupts. |
| AV ClubA.A. DowdClosed Circuit may be little more than a high-minded, shrewdly topical gloss on a shopworn genre, but its cynicism is bracing. |
| Philadelphia InquirerSteven ReaDirector John Crowley trots his crew around London, working up a suitable amount of suspense. And paranoia. |
| Kaplan vs. KaplanJeanne KaplanThough tense and well acted, "Closed Circuit" misses the mark on a few fronts. |
| Associated PressJocelyn NoveckA smart script by Steven Knight keeps the action humming along smoothly and concisely - if sometimes, it must be said, a bit illogically. |