the circle movie (2017) Thriller Movie Review
In "The Circle," the standout element is Tom Hanks' performance as the CEO of a tech company infiltrating every aspect of our lives. Hanks, known for his affable persona, seamlessly portrays the company's founder, Eamon Bailey, with a charm reminiscent of his real-life appearances. His ability to make you trust him is so strong that even in an animated cameo for "The Simpsons Movie," where he pokes fun at the government, you can't help but feel reassured.
It's intriguing how Hanks, a symbol of American patriotism, takes on a role that involves putting a positive spin on a potential disaster. The idea that if he used his influence for nefarious purposes, few would resist and even fewer would believe the warnings is unsettling. Despite his illustrious career, Hanks has never played a truly chilling villain onscreen. "The Circle" marks a departure, with his portrayal of an ominous character being the film's highlight.
However, the movie itself falls short. Despite having promising concepts and captivating moments, it struggles to find a consistent tone and concludes abruptly and unsatisfyingly. Emma Watson stars as Mae Holland, a young woman joining The Circle, a tech corporation with a cult-like aura based in the Bay Area, complete with artificial lakes and surveillance drones.
In "The Circle," the story follows Mae, who gets selected by the company's CEO Eamon Bailey and his right-hand man Tom Stenton for an experiment involving a new tiny camera. The experiment revolves around embracing "total transparency" by wearing cameras everywhere, promoting the company's agenda of accessing and utilizing personal data for profit. The film creates a sense of paranoia around this surveillance theme, particularly when Eamon promotes a new product called SeeChange, distributing cameras worldwide.
However, the movie struggles to build tension effectively. Director James Ponsoldt, known for his low-key storytelling, falls short of elevating the paranoia in a captivating manner. While a more visionary director could have turned this into a memorable film, Ponsoldt's style, rooted in ordinary interactions, limits the impact.
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Ponsoldt's subdued approach, realistic settings, and restrained camerawork initially suggest a more realistic portrayal of tech culture, akin to "The Social Network" or "Steve Jobs." However, as the story takes a nightmarish turn, reminiscent of "The Truman Show" or "Network," it lacks the boldness and intensity needed to make it truly impactful. Despite standout performances by Tom Hanks and John Boyega, along with a few thrilling scenes, the overall result feels underwhelming and frustrating. "The Circle" becomes a movie with both nothing and everything wrong with it, leaving viewers wanting more from its potential.