Circle of Friends

Austin Chronicle by

As Benny, [Driver] nudges the film out of its few valleys of smarm, making Circle of Friends a heartfelt love letter to circles of friends everywhere.

San Francisco Examiner by Barbara Shulgasser

Driver, who is padded but not fat, is an actress with self-possession to spare. Her looks defy conventional rules about modern beauty, but the directness of her gaze and the honesty of her smile make it difficult to look anywhere else when she is on screen.

Christian Science Monitor by David Sterritt

Pat O'Connor directed this likable but unmemorable comedy-drama, which creates some vivid moments without quite managing to flesh out its commonplace characters.

Washington Post by Desson Thomson

As Benny (short for Bernadette), a big-boned, headstrong lass who strains winningly against the restrictions of family, religion and just plain growing up, [Driver's] a comedic breath of fresh air, easily the best thing about the movie.

The New York Times by Elvis Mitchell

Another nice thing about Circle of Friends is that it escapes a happily-ever-after scenario to provide more bite and toughness than it first promises.

Washington Post by Hal Hinson

It's not a challenging movie or an original one, but it does have its pleasures -- most notably a radiant, soulful debut performance from Driver, who saves Circle of Friends from being merely an Irish ugly duckling story.

ReelViews by James Berardinelli

From that point on, the movie becomes distressingly predictable, with nary a surprise to be found.

San Francisco Chronicle by Mick LaSalle

Young Benny has a nice smile, and she and Jack seem like pleasant people, but in the end (and in the beginning and in the middle) it's hard to get worked up about them.

Rolling Stone by Peter Travers

Driver's tough core of honesty and wit is bewitching. So's the movie.

Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert

Circle of Friends is heartwarming and poignant, a love story that glows with intelligence and feeling.