Is Circus Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2000)

📖 The Core Premise

Circus returns to the screen in 2000, bringing a fresh narrative to the Crime, Drama, Thriller genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Bruno, a sadistic criminal, wants clever con man Leo out of the way. Leo and his equally clever 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. Maybe Leo can get Troy off his back, avoid Moose (Bruno's huge enforcer), send Gloria's corpse out of England, turn the tables on Bruno's murderous brother Caspar, and outfox Lily. Or is Lily his fox? It's a three-ring circus."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, John Hannah feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Crime. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Circus worth your time? If you appreciate Crime, Drama, Thriller films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Circus misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 95 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.