Circle of Friends (1995)

Review by Bret Walker

Minnie Driver makes her film debut in this touching film about friendship and betrayal in 1950's Ireland. Although this film definitely falls under the genre of "chick-flick," it certainly has enough material to be enjoyed by both genders.

Circle of Friends tells the tale of thee Irish girls: Bernadette (Benny), Eve, and Nan. The girls grow up together and are the best of friends when they grow to be college age. However, Eve and Nan are allowed to stay in Dublin at the University, while Benny is made to stay home and commute daily. Benny meets Jack, a friend of Nan's, and the two slowly fall in love. But Benny's parents have other ideas in store for her. Her father has unspokenly betrothed her to his business partner, Sean, an oily weasel of a man whom Benny detests.

As the love between Benny and Jack grows, we are shown two other developments in the plot. Eve, the orphan child of errudite parents whom had been ostracized by their family, finds herself becoming more beloved in her own home. But Nan puts the make on Eve's uncle, Simon, and when she becomes pregnant by him, he turns her away. So she seeks out Jack and seduces him, then tells him that the child is his. This breaks Benny's heart, for although Jack professes no love for Nan, he agrees to marry her and take responsibility for his mistake.

The only problem I had with this film is that it went Hollywood and gave us a happy ending, unlike the ending in the book. Otherwise, this is a thoroughly enjoyable film, a must for date-night. The cinematography of the scenic beauty of Ireland is breathtaking. The story moves well and wraps the audience in right from the start. There's an almost magical quality to the film that makes the whole story that much more believable. And Minnie Driver's portrayal of the "poor little fat girl" moves the audience to complete sympathy for her character. Chris O'Donnell is also very good in this film. In fact, the acting throughout is quite good and very believeable. If the mark of excellence in acting is to be judged by how the actor keeps the audience from knowing he or she is acting, then the entire ensemble has reached that high mark.

Definitely rent this film, snuggle up with the one you love, and bask in the glow. You won't be disappointed.

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Trivia:

Although this was Minnie Driver's cinematic debut, she also appeared in three television movies in England prior.

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