Circus (2000)

flea circus

Good lighting and cinematography, otherwise smug and sophomoric script by Tarantino-geek clone, who fancies that drama is achieved through endless scenes of bullying and barnyard expletives.

Its key villain, Bruno, is several rungs below Cesar Romero's camp "Joker" caricature on the old BATMAN TV series. (In voiceover commentary, the inept scriptwriter infers that audiences disliked the performance because they weren't hip enough to appreciate that Bruno is SUPPOSED to be an unlikeable sadistic egotist--as opposed to the likeable variety of such a goon.)

The Brit TV triumph HUSTLE and the 1970s classic THE STING outclass this puny busy-ness, not just because they had better budgets and were produced by competent filmmakers. They had genuine wit, style, and characters (villains included) worth audience interest.

The commentary track lays the blame at the feet of the tween-brained screenwriter who, here, is "Ed McMahoned" by one of the film's fatuous, fawning producers.

If you really want to experience essence of this movie, save your money and pound your head with a hammer. May 6, 2008

Take the road less twisted

Too many plot twists add up to not caring much about what happens to whom. The actors are all decent to good, the script has its moments, and all in all this could have been better, I guess...somehow.
Instead it's a mushy mess with no one to cheer for or care much about. It starts out rather ugly and violent but gets better as it becomes more character-driven. Even then, it's missing the snap and humor and pacing of Lock Stock and other successful films of the genre.
Worth watching on late night tv if you can't sleep, maybe. Other than that, pass. February 19, 2008

Cool Story, Excellent Cast

This movie was perfectly cast, with a very cool plot. It is VERY entertaining, and has some funny lines, too. The only thing that keeps me from giving it 5 stars is the poor directing. I recommend it anyway. August 15, 2007

A clear winner, in all arenas some may not stomach the concept

CIRCUS (2000), is a movie that very few people in North America know
about, because of its British origin, and cast, which is unfortunate,
considering the quality, the story, and the sequence of events that
will have people's jaws dropping over 90 mins, with considerable
amusement, and some shock.

Once more, Famke Janssen reprises her "eye-candy" role as the token
hot girl, as was the case in Made or Rounders, for example.

The story deals with characters in the British underworld, For that
reason alone, it may turn off, scare off the majority of viewers who
think they'll have to hold their noses as they watch the silver
screen. Some may doubt of the entertainment value possible or feel
righteous in rejecting it on account of the theme. However, if that
were the case, how to explain the success of the Godfather, or Agatha
Cristie's movies, Perry Mason, etc. ?

Especially enjoyable, is the peppering of a sense of humor throught
the script is, as is the discerning taste in the music selected in
the proper moments, and the surprisingly good taste in the choice of
filming locations. e.g a famous seaside resort in the UK, a beach, a
garden party at a wealthy billionaire's estate, the numerous night
scenes skillfully filmed. All this is done so as to not depress the
viewer, or instill negativity notwithstanding the simultaneous
brutality of the characters throughout the first half of the movie.

Also appreciated, are the subtitles so as to better understand the
English accents and the widescreen release.

A head's up to some audiences, who may find objectionable behavior,
the cutting off of fingers, the eating a ear off a victim, brutality,
extorsion, grifting, horse races and cards gambling, the repeated
setting up of "houses of mirrors" by expert con men on their marks,
with even their cohorts not suspecting anything until they fall in
the traps, not to mention the overall unproductive lives that the
characters seem to be leading in this strange world of their own.

The director consciously decided as added spice, select vehicles,
Rolls Royce, Austin Mini, Mercedez Benz 80's vintage, Citroen from
the 70's, etc. The editing is also impeccable as the action is
non-stop, freely flowing coherently from one scene to the next until
the end.

With a mix of action outdoors, and indoors, and a successful human
touch present from start to finish, the script was crafted skillfully
enough to not allow the audience to mull over the insidious
underlying behaviors too closely.

However, what makes this story totally unrealistic, is that the law
is entirely absent. However, with only 90 mins, this is
understandable. Overall, CIRCUS is a clear winner, in all arenas of
evaluation, with the caveat, of course, that some may not stomach the
concept. May 30, 2007

Circus

Pay close attention, you'll need to. The story winds around so many loops, it's tough to figure out where the story will go, and who is playing whom. If you like a mystery with a twist, you'll like this. March 20, 2007

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