Well
almost. At its best, "Circuit" reminds one of the scope,
wit, and compelling nature of PT Anderson's "Boogie Nights" and
"Magnolia", or even Robert Altman's "Nashville", and one suspects
that had the director had more money, a better cast and crew, and
maybe the help of a script doctor, this film could have been as
great as those films. Despite uneven performances, dialog, and
plotting, "Circuit" does a good job of conveying the ambivalence
inherent it the contemporary American circuit scene. Yes, the
scene can seem both exciting and shallow at the same time
dangerous and alluring, soulless and sexy, liberating and
destructive. There's no contradiction in conveying that, excepting
the very real contradictions in life about all things that have mixed
benefits and drawbacks. It's a sign of the filmmakers maturity that
they can show both sides of the many issues with a good deal of
complexity.
The biggest drawback, for me anyway, was the film's
melodramatic and contrived ending, murder plot and all. Still, my
boyfriend an I were always entertained, staying up till 3 a.m. to
finish this reasonably well-done effort.
wit, and compelling nature of PT Anderson's "Boogie Nights" and
"Magnolia", or even Robert Altman's "Nashville", and one suspects
that had the director had more money, a better cast and crew, and
maybe the help of a script doctor, this film could have been as
great as those films. Despite uneven performances, dialog, and
plotting, "Circuit" does a good job of conveying the ambivalence
inherent it the contemporary American circuit scene. Yes, the
scene can seem both exciting and shallow at the same time
dangerous and alluring, soulless and sexy, liberating and
destructive. There's no contradiction in conveying that, excepting
the very real contradictions in life about all things that have mixed
benefits and drawbacks. It's a sign of the filmmakers maturity that
they can show both sides of the many issues with a good deal of
complexity.
The biggest drawback, for me anyway, was the film's
melodramatic and contrived ending, murder plot and all. Still, my
boyfriend an I were always entertained, staying up till 3 a.m. to
finish this reasonably well-done effort.