Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely enchanting
Review: A film about friendship, first love, innocence and values. I absolutely love it. My favourite movie for years!
Rating:
Summary: Minnie Driver driving a movie that's all there
Review: Set in post-World War II Ireland, namely the late 1940's and late 50's, Circle Of Friends tells of three girls, Eve, who was raised in a convent because her parents died, the stunning Nan Mahon, and the plain but pleasant and charming Benny Hogan, who's father is the local tailor. She narrates the film from time to time, and Minnie Driver's charming voice aids in what's quite a charming little movie about being sure of and true to oneself despite changes.
The three go to the college in Dublin, attend classes, and go back on the 10 past 6 bus to the village. In an anthropology class, she learns of an obscure tribe and their culture, one of which is that men and women mingle freely without shame or guilt, a contrast to the repressive Catholic upbringing the girls have. But this learning also parallels her meeting Jack Foley, a handsome blonde with blue eyes and a nice smile. She's quite taken when he asks her out to a dance, only to be gradually disillusioned when he doesn't as time goes on. When he finally does ask her, she tells him that she doesn't like being messed about, but further that despite being a rhinoceros, a reference to her perceived bigness, she has a thin skin. She is heartened that he feels comfortable talking to her honestly. He sees that she's all there, more grounded, sure of herself. In contrast, Jack wants to play rugby but is going for the medical program because of his father's wishes and despite the fact that he faints at the sight of blood. Through her interactions, she learns that she is capable of being loved and to love, but she never goes all the way. Jack indeed is a preferable pick from the oily Sean Walsh, an employee of Mr. Hogan's shop who aspires to be a partner, but also wants to marry Benny. It's further his dream to run the shop when Mr. Hogan retires. However, Benny is quite turned off by Sean, much to her parents' disappointment. This learning at school is making her self-aware, and she's made up her mind who she wants to marry, should she do so. What's the point of learning all that knowledge, only to go back to her little village and be a good little wife, something also explored in the later Mona Lisa Smile.
The divide between Protestants and Catholics is seen here in the form of Simon Westward, a member of the landowning family who wants to marry the right girl. That is what Nan is looking for, a real man, seeing her peers as just boys, as tryouts. Things don't go the way she plans, leading her to disrupt Benny and Jack.
It's easy to see why Minnie Driver became a star. As the shy, hopeful, intelligent, and sensitive Benny, she's a fresh face. And she's unique with that slightly wide face of hers, She is mostly seen without much makeup, and she still looks wonderful, and with that accent and beaming countenance, totally believable as a daughter of the Emerald Isle. I'd definitely go for someone like her. Geraldine O'Rawe lends strong support as Eve, who turns out to be more loyal and true to Benny. Chris O'Donnell also gets a thumbs up as Jack, a likeable enough person, less sure of himself, well-meaning, but with a few failings.
As in all the other films I've seen him in, Alan Cumming (Sean) is another slimy, lizard-like, fawning toadie (Titus, Spiceworld, Eyes Wide Shut). He is a bit pathetic with his greasy black hair and sickly smile, but he's a character to be reviled as time goes on.
With a nice closing song, "You're The One," sung by Maire Brennan and Shane McGowan, Circle Of Friends is a film that doesn't go for the predictable drama of most romance movies. No, this is a movie that's all there.
Rating: 
Summary: Radically changed from original novel
Review: Maeve Binchy's novel is not a classic, but has some charm and a definite sense of a particular time and place (small Irish village in the 50s) and a nicely drawn protagonist. It's a shame that this film completely butchers the theme of the book in order to pander to what the filmmakers must assume are American simpletons who have to have a happy romantic ending.
SPOILER ALERT
Well, just barely but you should know before seeing this that in the novel, Benny Hogan and Jack Foley BREAK UP at the end and do not get back together nor do they ever have sex. This is a far more realistic and satisfying ending, as Benny realizes that Jack is shallow and unworthy of her love and that she is now a mature, self-actualized adult who can move on. The movie wallows in a very unbelievable scenario where "all is forgiven", because of course the sweet heroine MUST get the handsome hunk. Thus the entire point of the book is utterly lost.
Along with that, so is virtually half the contents of the novel, including the story of Eve and the various colorful residents of Knockglen. This is a rather huge problem, since the book is about a "Circle of Friends" and if you make the story entirely about ONE of the friends, then that concept is rendered meaningless. Basically, what remains is the story of one nice girl (Benny) and one bitchy girl (Nan, played by the lovely Saffron Burrows).
That being said, Minnie Driver is adorable and brimming with charm as Benny, although Benny is supposed to be overweight and plain and Ms. Driver is merely "very attractive in a down-to-earth way". She commands the screen entirely with her appealing and realistic performance. Too bad the costume designers and hair stylists couldn't have found some 50s clothing and hairstyles for her -- no girl in the 50s would have been caught dead with "big hair".
On the other hand, Chris O'Donnell feels awkward as miscast as Jack. He looks too young for Benny (of course, all the cast is pretty much too old to be playing 18 yr old college freshman), and he doesn't convey the shallow side of Jack's character...of course, that could be the director or screenwriter forcing it to the back, since in the film Jack is Benny's true love and they end up together!
Look for Alan Cummings, Colin Firth (as well as the aforementioned Saffron Burrows) in supporting roles...all these fine actors have gone on to do much substantial work in the last decade. But this is really Minnie Driver's show -- she made her Hollywood career with this delightful portrayal and it's worth sitting through the muddled script to enjoy two hours with her. I think this remains her finest film role. The two stars are entirely for her; otherwise this film would rate a big zero.
Rating: 
Summary: worth watching
Review: i read the book, but as usual, i try to refrain from comparing the movie to the book. because if you do, you're usually up for one big fat disappointment. i would highly recommend people to read the book too.this is a pretty straightforward and simplistic film. and my only complaint is that the film doesn't flesh out some things that i really would have liked fleshed out, and it had some loose strings left hanging in the end. for example, i loved eve and aidan as a couple, yet the film gave them pretty flat portrayals. on the one hand, you're left wanting to see more, but on the other hand, there is the possibility that the film could spread itself too thin in terms of plot. the movie was well cast. minnie driver is phenomenal. chris o'donnell doesn't get much credit. and my other favorite was the one who played eve. she really had spark! and alan cummings as the irrepressible sean walsh just makes me want to barf! all in all, the movie's plot is a little thin, but the cast and great scenery more than make up for it.
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