CLOSED CIRCUIT
UK, 2013, 96 minutes, Colour.
Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall, Jim Broadbent, Ciaran Hinds, Kenneth Cranham.
Directed by John Crowley.
Here is one for conspiracy theory fans, not a great film, but both interesting and entertaining – until a fellow reviewer revealed that he did not find it very interesting at all, that this kind of film he could take or leave. Enjoyment will also depend on one’s perspective on politics, on government, on secrecy and cover-ups. If you are suspicious or cynical, then this one, involving terrorism and investigations and political double-dealing, should be on your list.
The film lives up to its title in the opening minutes, surveillance of the Borough Market in London, first one camera looking at shoppers, then split screen and gradually splitting until there is overall coverage. A truck, then an explosion, chaos, rubble and dead victims.
A suspect is arrested and the case is to be prosecuted. But audience attention is drawn to the defence, a successful lawyer picked out by the government. English law has a requisite that there be a special consultant for the defence who examines documentation, but is to have no profession contact with the defence lawyer. There may be some sense in this, but it is not made clear to the audience. And it is further complicated by the fact that the two have been in a sexual relationship, though now finished, and the dilemma as to whether they let this be known to the powers that be.
The powers that be take a great interest in the case and the lawyers, especially the Attorney General, an urbane, rather silver-tongued politician, played by Jim Broadbent. The lawyer is played by Eric Bana and the consultant played by Rebecca Hall.
We see visits to the accused and are puzzled by his seeming fatalistic attitude towards his trial. We see visits to his family and focus on his son who has a key to the whole proceedings. Things become messy when the lawyer discovers that his predecessor has died and that the circumstances, formerly not suspicious, become highly suspicious. An official, a Muslim (Riz Ahmed) recruited by the spy agencies after the bombings in London of July 2005, pays sinister visits to the consultant, not without threats of violence. An American journalist (Julia Styles) who seems to have significant contacts gives information to the lawyer. And there is a government worker (Ann Marie Duff) who is not as she seems and becomes the determined face of MI5.
So, put this all together, add some court scenes, so klling attempts and a twist that explains how things can go wrong and information suppressed – the public does not need to know. Oh, and in case you did not guess, the affair is back on!
The stuff of airport novels, perhaps. But airport novels, especially about spying and terrorism, can be very entertaining.
1. A film for conspiracy theorists? Government, terrorism? Cover-ups?
2. The title, the cameras and surveillance, the initial focus on people at the market, the split screens, the multiple images? The crowd at the market, all under surveillance? The later use of the footage? Issues of surveillance, society, privacy? Police investigations? Politics, law, closed courts and closed circuits?
3. The UK setting? London, the landmarks, the city, the Borough market, flats and homes? MI6, Parliament, the Thames? The musical score?
4. Introduction, the images, ordinary life, the market, the threats, the explosion and consequences? Dead and wounded? The arrest of Farroukh, suspicions? Judged an act of terrorism?
5. Martin Rose, his career, failed marriage, his work as a lawyer, the past relationship with Claudia, given the job of defence, the meetings with Cameron, his remit? The role of the defence? Claudia, her life, her different remit? No communications? The situation for the defence, their discussions about their past, deciding to tell the lie? The judge? The future tensions?
6. The judge, the limits of the case, the closed court, the prosecution? The attorney general and his friendly approach, yet menacing? Sounding out Martin?
7. Devlin, his friendship with Martin, help in the investigations, continued contact, his presence at the court, his contact with Melissa, the betrayal?
8. Farroukh, in prison, the past investigations, his career in Germany, terrorist, admitted to Britain within a short time span? His migration, family, the importance of his son in the family and his relationship with his father? In prison, the interviews with Martin, his fatalistic approach?
9. The visit to the family, the relations, the wife, the boy and his silence? The computer? Later, his having the key, his running away, and to protection? Tracked down? The talks with Martin and Claudia? His having the computer, the stick, his attitude towards his father, testifying, giving the information?
10. The society meal, Martin present, the visitors, the American reporter, Melissa and her role in the government, the chat at the table, clues about government?
11. The journalist, American, in the UK, information, needing checking out, knowledge about the government, MI6, the meeting with Martin, the discussion, giving him the information? Her death?
12. Martin, suspicions, discovering the death of his predecessor, the further dangers, car chases, attempts on his life? Warning Claudia?
13. Claudia, the visit from the official of MI6, stating his position, discussing hers, the role of government, threats, his capacity for violence, his attempts at killing?
14. Melissa, the truth about the status, control, in the car, ruthless, giving orders about life and death? Her frustration in the car?
15. The court appearances, Martin and his presence, what he could say or not, evidence, causing the uproar about the son? Removed from the court? Claudia and her presence in work?
16. Farroukh as a terrorist, coming to the UK, and undercover agent, infiltrating the terror group, his mandate to stop the explosion, his failure? Hanging
himself in his cell?
17. The dilemmas for government, the decision for cover-up, the public, an organisation protecting itself? The role of the district attorney, his final talk to Martin, smooth threats, his speech in Parliament? Finally exposed?
18. Martin, his achievement, the risks with Claudia, sharing the dangers, hearing the news from Parliament? The happy ending?
