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      Circle of Friends

      PG-13 1995 1h 36m Drama List
      78% 37 Reviews Tomatometer 73% 10,000+ Ratings Audience Score At university in Dublin in 1957, awkward Benny (Minnie Driver) is introduced to handsome Jack (Chris O'Donnell), the son of a doctor who is unsure about following the family business. While Benny and Jack fall in love, Benny's old friend Nan (Saffron Burrows) is less fortunate. Nan wants to raise herself from her lower-class roots with a marriage, but her chosen man impregnates and abandons her. All three must grapple with conflicts between their physical desires and religious upbringings. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      isla s This is a borderline overly sweet film, in terms of elements of sentimentality and on ocassion an over-use of light cheesy music. The plot is hardly brand new, although I did find it interesting considering its set in the past, in the 1950s -I certainly haven't seen many coming of age type films set in Ireland that weren't of a modern day setting. The plot pace is quite slow but its an easy enough watch, if slightly bland. It does feature some sex related scenes, although nothing explicitly graphic is shown, its more implied but some partial nudity is shown and noises heard from a distance on ocassion, which would account for the 15 rating its given in the UK. Its almost got the feel of a slow soap, rather than a drama about it somehow. I liked a number of the characters, although it has to be said that the person who plays the archetypal/stereotyped bad guy role (I'll not name him so as not to spoil the film for others) plays him very well, as when I saw him appear in scenes I felt tempted to shout out 'boo!' as if it were a panto!. If it were a bit faster paced I'd have enjoyed it more - it was an alright watch, an easy watch but a bit too bland for my personal taste and the cheesy aspect obviously didn't do it any favours either. There are some nice landscape shots of Ireland however - it certainly harks back to a cosier time, or so it'd have you believe. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member I loved this movie.. Why hadn't it ever been on Netflix or Amazon Prine? Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Whimsical tale of three friends navigating university life, rushing hormones, and biblical sins. Entrancing story that keeps you engaged. Early film for several of today's leading actors: Colin Firth, Chris O'Donnell, and Minnie Driver. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member If you like coming-of-age films, this one is great. 'Circle' follows three girlfriends from Confirmation through university. Minnie Driver is wonderful as Benny, the plain one. It is also interesting to see these actors - Minnie, Chris O'Donnell, Colin Firth, etc. in early roles in their careers. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member i liked this well enough, it was fairly well portrayed, all characters were likable. I loved that it was set in Ireland, and Cumming's performance was superb. but the story and the rest of it were pretty run of the mill, nothing really risked, i didn't feel a great deal of anything for it. good mom/daughter fluff piece to watch on your day off. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member well crafted rom-dram Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Circle of Friends

      Circle of Friends (1995) Circle of Friends (1995) View more photos

      Critics Reviews

      View All (37) Critics Reviews
      Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: B- Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Caroline Westbrook Empire Magazine An enchanting, if denture-rottingly sweet, yarn. Rated: 3/5 Mar 11, 2008 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Three female friends grow up in a small town in Ireland in the mid-50s and attend college in Dublin in this nostalgic soap opera that's vaguely evocative of Peyton Place, though generally less memorable. Mar 11, 2008 Full Review Chase Burns The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Great film acting is often like bottling magic, but it usually involves an inscrutable face that hides an internal life that is rich and curious and ever-moving. Driver, like Clayburgh, has that type of enigmatic charm. Jan 20, 2022 Full Review Film4 A familiar tale of busty lasses and lusty lads, it's lent extra weight by fine writing and accomplished performances. Mar 11, 2008 Full Review TV Guide Driver, who delivers a piercingly subjective performance, is the linchpin of the film's quiet appeal. Rated: 2.5/4 Mar 11, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis At university in Dublin in 1957, awkward Benny (Minnie Driver) is introduced to handsome Jack (Chris O'Donnell), the son of a doctor who is unsure about following the family business. While Benny and Jack fall in love, Benny's old friend Nan (Saffron Burrows) is less fortunate. Nan wants to raise herself from her lower-class roots with a marriage, but her chosen man impregnates and abandons her. All three must grapple with conflicts between their physical desires and religious upbringings.
      Director
      Pat O'Connor
      Production Co
      Price Entertainment, Bord Scannan Na hEireann, Rank Organization
      Rating
      PG-13
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $21.7M
      Runtime
      1h 36m
      Sound Mix
      Surround, Stereo