The commercials and reviews for Closed Circuit extol that this is one of those great thrillers that Hollywood just doesn't make anymore. It's made by the same people who brought us the superior 2011 version of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and if you need more proof of its pedigree, it's also British. Why does that matter, you may ask? Well, it doesn't really; it just ensures that it will be shown in art house theaters where no one will see it. "But is it any good?" you may ask, and the answer is a resounding...
...meh.
Closed Circuit follows the exploits of two British barristers (we call them lawyers) who are defending a Turkish man who is being tried as the mastermind of a terrorist cell that set off a truck bomb in a crowded London market, killing hundreds. Due to a quirk of the British legal system, the circumstances of the accused's arrest are protected under national security. Because of this, the secret aspects of his trial must be tried without a jury in a closed session with the judge and attorneys. Because the information is of such a sensitive nature, the man's defense attorney cannot attend this closed session. The accused is defended by an Advocate who only deals with the secret aspects of the case. The Advocate and defense attorney cannot consult or talk with each other about their respective sides of their cases or they will be disbarred. As luck would have it, the defense attorney (capably portrayed by Eric Bana in an understated performance) and the Advocate (well-played by the sexy Rebecca Hall) are former adulterous lovers, and the first thing they do is discuss the case. As it turns out, there are some fishy goings-on surrounding this case that have already led to the death of the former defense attorney for the accused. The rest of the movie is swallowed into an atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion as shadowy government agents plot the death of one or both of them as facts emerge.
Now, there is nothing explicitly bad about this film. That's why it gets a better than average rating from me. The acting is good, but understated. British actors, as a whole I think, are much more professional and natural than their bombastic American counterparts. You want a good, solid, dependable performance? Call Anthony Hopkins or Helen Mirren. You want over the top? Call Jack Nicholson or Patricia Arquette. All kidding aside, it seems to me that British acting and storytelling tend to be more laid-back and subtle, style-wise. American actors are about the PERFORMANCE!!! "STELLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!" The Method really ruined us. The protagonists are believable, even likable. The plotline makes sense but has enough holes to drive a small tank through, followed by an earth mover, train and aircraft carrier side-by-side. It is tense in parts, and takes its time telling the story well, even if the movie is only 1.5 hours long. The holes are a near-fatal flaw, but the good performances and above-average storytelling save it from descending into a morass of cliches. But in the end, we have seen this movie before. Most obviously in The Star Chamber, but also such 70s and 80s fare like The Enforcer, The Thin Blue Line, All The President's Men, even The China Syndrome and Silkwood to The X-Files and Enemy of the State. Everybody loves the shadowy government conspiracy, both in entertainment and real life (Who really shot Kennedy, 9/11 was an elaborate plot perpetrated by the US Government to get people to support a war, etc, etc, etc). Exceptional breeding grounds for these types of stories is when a divisive and/or unpopular, usually Republican, President is in office (Nixon, Reagan, George W.). This movie is just like those old movies, with the same plot lines, the same naive assumptions about the darker motives of governments. It is a fun chestnut to revisit every now and then; but ultimately feels like wearing that old, favorite sweatshirt; it's comfortable, but also lazy.
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