CLOSED CIRCUIT (John Crowley). 110 minutes. Now playing. For venues and times, see Movies. Rating: NN
Closed Circuit uses every legal and paranoia thriller cliché in the book, but what’s even worse is that it constantly explains its threadbare premise in achingly boring detail.
Barrister Martin (Eric Bana) and special defender Claudia (Rebecca Hall) break protocol by partnering up on “the case of the century,” defending the suspect in a high-profile London marketplace bombing after the original prosecutor mysteriously committed suicide. When it turns out their client might have secret government ties, things get dangerous for the lawyers, who find themselves under surveillance.
It’s sad to see such a great cast (including standouts Jim Broadbent and Ciarán Hinds in thankless authority roles) saddled with laborious, repetitive expository dialogue. Characters simply show up, say who they are, what they do, and describe the plot.
By the time the contrived final act lurches around, it’s welcome because the characters finally stop talking to make way for some actual action. But it’s too little too late.
