Truly Dreadful Film

Lack of good storyline.

Excellent film with a gripping story!

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Bruno, a sadistic criminal, wants con man Leo out of the way., Because he and his wife Lily, are up to something. So too is Julius: he hires Leo to kill Gloria, Julius's wife. Leo does it, but then Julius shows up with the murder on tape, saying Gloria isn't his wife - it's blackmail. Leo's bookie, Troy, is also closing in, wanting to be paid. Bruno and Lily, as well as Bruno and Julius have their own scams running, and Leo is their target. If Leo can get Troy off his back, send Gloria's corpse out of England, turn the tables on Bruno's murderous brother Caspar, and outfox Lily, all will be well in Brighton.....First off, I have a big big love for this film, I've been to Brighton 20 plus times, and everything I see this film, or go there, I get all nostalgic for either one.It was also released in a time when life, music, weather, and so on was good (life still is by the way), so I really love this film for many reasons, narrative isn't one though.Yes, it's bonkers, and there are times when you wonder what on earth is going on, but its so much fun, you really couldn't care less.It's a shame it was released during a time when this Brit thrillers were released once a month, and it doesn't help that it has 'a stylish Brit thriller' plastered over the case, but take a chance.Hannah is fine as Leo, you get the feeling he loves walking round the Lanes in white. Janssen is pretty underused, as is Lister, but they bind the story to give it a little more flow.The best things here are Izzard, who is hilarious, and Brian Conley, playing way against type as a sweary villain, believe me, if your from the UK, and were of an age where you could remember Saturday night TV from the eighties, you'll know what I mean.Again, its an amazing blast, released purely at the wrong time, but one of the best Brit Gangster movies released during this era.See it.It's also the best film featuring a light entertainment superstar biting off the ear of an I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! winner ever made.....

Circus is an enjoyable film worth watching if only for Eddie Izzard's character. That's one thing this film has - character. It also has a good plot, though the acting is a little dodgy in places.Possibly the reason it is rated so low by those in the US that do the TV guide starring system is because they don't put much emphasis on character and substance, and may not have been able to follow the plot.If you want explosions and mindless action with no real plot go watch a Hollywood blockbuster. If you want a little gem that keeps you interested then give this film a try.

I was fascinated to read the range of opinions on `Circus' from `awesome, breathtaking, brilliant' and most things between right down to `Golden Turkey candidate'. I find myself in the latter camp.The producers obviously thought that if they mixed plenty of over-the-top violence with barrages of four-letter expletives they'd have another `Lock, Stock and two Smoking Barrels' on their hands. A pity that they forgot to include wit, style, charm and flair. And it was certainly a mistake to feature a visit to Welles' classic `The Lady from Shanghai' thus serving to remind us how much better cinema can be.John Hannah gets his shirt off at every opportunity, a huge American drives around in a Mini Minor as `Circus' pathetically strains for cult status and even the beautiful Amanda Donohoe can't add any class to these proceedings.If you want to see a good Brit film try the sublime `Wonderland'

I bumped into this randomly on HBO, and loved it! It's like a modern, wicked Hitchcock - it twists, and twists, and twists again.How shall I put this delicately - this is not a movie for people who have trouble keeping up with a plot. If you're always the one asking "what's going on NOW", you aren't the target audience.Gangsters, loan sharks, bad girls and legbreakers - all the staples are here. Easier on the American ear than Guy Ritchie's twisters, this one is even harder to predict. If you only know John Hannah from the Mummy flicks, prepare for a small surprise, and the small Fred Ward part is excellent. And the movie is hysterical - but in a VERY dry, very black, gallows fashion.