The Circle (2017) (Movie Review)



Dir: James Ponsoldt
Starring: Emma Watson, Tom Hanks
Dur: 1 hr 49 mins
Genre: Drama
PG: One swear word
Rating: 3/10

The Circle is a technological thriller. What I mean is it takes a relevant topic: media and technology, and maxes out on it. The story is basically the good ol’ technology v/s humanity struggle, which plays out in the same old-fashioned way with humans coming out on top. Here however, it is slightly tweaked to bring in other issues which I found to be great. For example, the chief focus of the film can be summarized in two words: “privacy” and “transparency”. Both are important and good but if pushed to maximum it could have disastrous results, as the film pointedly shows.

The Circle is a great film. It’s watchable but is hardly enjoyable. However, it does work as a springboard for discussion on topics related to media ethics, media influence, innovation and the like. Some punchlines from the film really stick. Take for example the line Eamon (Tom Hanks), one of the CEO’s of the company proudly proclaims at a company meeting: “Knowing is good. But knowing everything is better.” This line aptly sums up the focal point around which the film revolves. Another wonderful point the film brings out is regarding transparency. Leaders, CEO’s, politicians and the elite may support the need for transparency but will be close-lipped when it comes to practicing themselves. The story of our national politics in the last couple of years shows a similar pattern.

The story is weird. It makes little sense. Some things leave you wondering like for example how does it happen in a company that knows exactly when an employee leaves and returns to the premises, for an employee, nay, for a pioneer, to remain incognito. Coherence is a problem and despite the classy cast, it still wobbles and heads for a fall.

I look at this film more from an educationally useful viewpoint. It’s entertainment capacity is nil. But it is also not boring. It manages to hold you and that’s a plus point for a film that could be used potentially in a classroom or in a session. 

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