CLOSED CIRCUIT

BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELL
SEPTEMBER 7, 2013

With all the makings of a concise and memorable thriller, “Closed Circuit” takes its flashy and topical subject matter of a government cover-up and squanders it with a less than impressive delivery. Saved, for the most part, by the acting chops of the beautiful Rebecca Hall and an expected yet captivating performance from Eric Bana, the film lacks in production and screenplay quality. It makes up for those shortcomings with not only in-your-face lead performances but also genre-bending supporting performances from Jim Broadbent, Ciarán Hinds, and Riz Ahmed. Always jumping forward through time, the action often loses steam by taking giant leaps away from its driving force.

For example, with a giant hook of an intro, involving a terrorist attack in a public outdoor market, the film instantly jumps six months into the future and, in the process, loses any anticipation built following the explosion. Taking some liberties and stepping away from the expectations placed on films coming out of Hollywood, Crowley’s British sub-thriller can deliver a few surprises and an unpredictable ending that may fall off a bit too quickly strays from the norm. An action-thriller is mostly behind closed doors rather than in exterior chase scenes. The film touts a big, suspenseful game. Still, when it finally comes down to it, without its strong cast, “Closed Circuit” would be just another “us versus them” incarnation.