Circus (2000)

Director:

Rob Walker

Writer:

David Logan (written by)

Release Date:

5 May 2000 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Thriller | Drama

Tagline:

Don't trust any of these clowns

Plot:

Bruno, a sadistic criminal, wants clever con man Leo out of the way. Leo and his equally clever wife...

Plot Keywords:

Strangulation | Gangster | Windmill | Interracial Relationship | Henchman

Cast

John Hannah	...	Leo
Famke Janssen	...	Lily
Peter Stormare	...	Julius
Eddie Izzard	...	Troy
Fred Ward	...	Elmo
Brian Conley	...	Bruno
Tommy 'Tiny' Lister	...	Moose (as Tiny Lister)
Amanda Donohoe	...	Gloria
Ian Burfield	...	Caspar
Neil Stuke	...	Roscoe
Michael Attwell	...	Magnus
Jason Watkins	...	Dom
Christopher Biggins	...	Arnie
Lucy Akhurst	...	Helen
Louise Rolfe	...	Julie

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, sexuality and language.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Chile:18 | France:U | Germany:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | Finland:K-16

Filming Locations:

Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK

Company:

Circus Pictures

Trivia:

Fred Ward replaced Frederic Forrest at very short notice

Quotes:

Troy: Nuh, nuh, nuh. Another one bites the dust! Duh-nuh nuh, nuh, nuh. Another one bites the dust! And another one down, another one down- another one bites the dust! Ooh. I'm gunna git you boy, another one bites the dust, DUH-nuh.

Movie Connections:

References "Play School" (1964)

Soundtrack:

Breathless

Well-acted, but far too confusing

I've read with interest everyone's opinions on this movie, and am surprised at the diversity. Some reviews state it is the worst British move in ages, some compare it to the likes of Trainspotting and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. I'm somewhere in between.

'Circus' is very refreshing, I'll give it that. But I feel like Austin Powers, contemplating time-travel, for I too have 'gone cross-eyed.' I rented this (thank God I didn't see it in the theatre) and found myself rewinding because I was so confused! Sure, they really don't want you to guess the ending, but at the same time, they turn you around so many times try understanding it!

The acting is wonderful. I actually thought Eddie Izzard was great, as was everyone else. I cease to be surprised by John Hannah, who does drama and comedy equally wonderfully. Famke Janssen was interesting enough, and her hick boyfriend was entertaining, as was the little nerdy guy, though his character sort of annoyed me.

I think that this film certainly could've been a lot better...this film-maker had the actors, they just needed to work with the story a little more. Had they taken away some of the twists and turns, they might've gotten a better film.

By the way, these are not all English actors. John Hannah is Scottish. And another thing, I certainly wouldn't compare this to Trainspotting, as Trainspotting was pure brilliance, and this is rather blemished.