DVD Review – Columbus Circle

Out today on DVD is the heavily cast thriller Columbus Circle, but is this a hidden gem or a transparent flop, Scott takes a look

Columbus Circle, on paper, is a film that should work. A well established cast, a very experienced writer/director. Yet through all of the Hitchcock-esque elements in the plot, this claustrophobic thriller fails to bring anything original to the table.

Centering on Abigail, played by Selma Blair, an agoraphobic and extremely rich heiress who finds comfort in her secluded and quiet penthouse apartment in Columbus circle. She finds her world turned upside down when a young couple move in next door after her elderly neighbor dies suddenly, and mysteriously. Abigail has been self-imprisoned in her apartment for 20 years, her only interaction with the outside world is through hand written notes to the buildings concierge passed under her door, and with her GP and trusted family friend Dr. Raymond Fontaine, played by Beau Bridges. This safe and well constructed world begins to crumble brick by brick when the police end up on her doorstep to investigate the death of her neighbour and she involves herself unwittingly in the new young couples domestic problems.

See, it all looks good when written down on paper. But even though this is from the pen of George Gallo, who wrote classics such as Bad Boys and Midnight Run, the film is decidedly standard. The acting is pretty poor too, It would be wrong to single out anyone in particular, as they all seem to do the bare minimum to get through the story. All of the characters in the film are written very poorly and very one-dimensional that it is near impossible to feel any connection for them at all.

The story itself is supposed to be a twisting and suspenseful affair, full of characters with their own agendas and a protagonist who must face her fears to achieve her goals. Unfortunately the fact that the twists have all been done better before and the story is written in such broad strokes that even a 4-year-old could work out who the villain is after 10 minutes really doesn’t help it’s cause.

The only redeeming feature is the running time. Coming in just under 90 minutes it gives you enough time to stick on something else afterwards to take the dull and boring taste out of your mouth.

I am very disappointed by this release. I was quite looking forward to viewing the film, the premise looked good, the cast felt solid, I even liked the trailer. But at the end of the day we were all let down by sloppy writing by a good writer. Proving that even established film makers have bad days.

COLUMBUS CIRCLE IS RELEASED ON DVD AND BLU-RAY IN UK ON 5TH MARCH 2012

About the Author – Scott Lawlor

Chief Editor of FRC. A self confessed geek with an unhealthy thirst for all things Home Cinema. Whether it is the latest Action film or Subwoofer.

Have you seen this film? Do you agree with our review? Comment below…