Circus * (2000, John Hannah, Famke Janssen, Peter Stormare, Eddie Izzard) – Classic Movie Review 2535

Director Rob Walker’s violent 2000 crime thriller focuses on the story of a Brighton hit man who is asked to run an old friend’s casino. But first he must carry out one last contract killing.

A good cast largely flounders in yet another unconvincing, nasty, poor film-noir-style British gangster thriller, with a unsatisfyingly convoluted plot. On the plus side, nice John Hannah (Leo), Famke Janssen (Lily), Brian Conley (Bruno), Peter Stormare (Julius) and Amanda Donohoe (Gloria) help to spark things up a little bit.

Sadistic criminal Bruno wants clever con man Leo out of the way. Leo is up to something with and his equally clever wife Lily. Julius hires Leo to kill his wife Gloria.

Unfortunately, the story is artificial, David Logan’s screenplay lacks credibility and the performances are just posing and play-acting – so much so that it runs like an episode of The Avengers. But the well-used seaside and town locations in Brighton provide a cute backdrop. And they are well shot too (by cinematographer Ben Seresin).

Sad to say, that marvellous standup comic Eddie Izzard gives a particularly poor performance as the villain, Troy. Also in an interesting cast are Fred Ward, Tom ‘Tiny’ Lister Jr, Ian Burfield, Neil Stuke, Jason Watkins and Christopher Biggins.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2535

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