Circle of Friends - Chris O'Donnell, Minnie Driver (Import NTSC Region Free)

If I can rate the seller 0 star, I would.After almost 2-month wait on this DVD, they sent a European version. I contacted the seller and they told me that they do not have a version that will play in U.S. Why send a European version to U.S. address? Now I have to inconveniently return this product.“This is a Region 2/B – European DVD/Blu-Ray so you will need a European or multi-region player to watch it (please check the product page for the further information). Unfortunately we do not have the Region 1/A version of the product.”

This movie is one of my favorites from my adolescent years. It's just a good, relatable, quirky love story that gave rise to Minnie Driver's career and was one of the early films for Aidan Gillen (Littlefinger from Game of Thrones).Seeing it on BluRay for the first time was really nice, as well. The picture quality is (of course) so much improved over the VHS I had 20-something years ago. I used a Playstation 4 to play it, and we had none of the problems mentioned in older reviews about playback or European versions. I'm not sure if that's down to the PS4 or not, though.I really, really hope that Amazon Prime will add this title to streaming someday. It's a title that seems to be fading into obscurity, and it's such a good story. I'd hate to see that happen, and I'm sure there are plenty of younger viewers who would love it as much as I have.

Great movie but poor customer service. Only advise is to read everything until the end. Every time I've purchased a DVD movie I expect it to play on a DVD player. I've learned the hard way that when purchasing a DVD movie you MUST be clear on the format that works for you. I am not technical and don't understand formats. Good customer service is when an error is made and the returned movie is in excellent condition that it should be replaced. If the cost is more the customer should be given the option to pay the difference. That option was not given to me. Be careful. When purchasing from them. Read everything carefully. Good luck.

Was looking for this movie - couldn't get it as Digital - so went DVD route and due to it's age had to purchase as used- Very good for a decent price.Received in great condition, the DVD played with no issues and the movie as I remembered it was just just as fantastic now as it was then! :) Chris O'Donnell(very young), Minnie Driver, Colin Firth, Alan Cumming (so creepy in this one).If you like Maeve Binchy books this a good movie for you!

FINALLY! I loved this movie when I was younger, having seen it when it had first been released. I had the most difficult time finding it on DVD.After it being so long since I had last seen it I was a little nervous on how it would hold up against the test of time. Of course the fact that it was essentially a period piece helped. I find that period pieces have the best chances of not being ruined when watched years later. Circle of Friends stands up to that test of time and comes out fairly well. Of course it's decades later and I know what Chris O'Donnell looks like all grown up (same with the ever gorgeous Minnie Driver). I also understand the content a little better now that I'm not a little girl watching a movie solely because 'the cute boy from The Three Musketeers' was in it. I understand Nan's situation with Colin Firth (who is adorably young, although a total cad) and the tragedy of Bernie's failed romance. I'm so glad I finally found it

This film is quite charming and visually lovely. It was a bit of a sleeper when it came out. Based on Maeve Binchy's best selling novel, the film ensemble cast is led by Chris O'Donnell, Minnie Driver, Alan Cumming, and Colin Firth. Driver, Cumming, and Firth were all still relatively unknown when this film was made; Chris O'Donnell was the biggest star at the time. Minnie Driver and Chris O'Donnell play a young couple falling in love, but their path to happiness isn't always sure or easy. Driver plays one of three young Irish women who are encouraged to go to college, but ultimately to marry and have a family. Set in Ireland after WWII, social mores are starting to change- but in many ways, the fate of the young women remain tied to the precepts of the Catholic Church of the time. Ciaran Hinds makes a cameo as a sociology professor.

One of my favourite films, if you forget Chris O’Donnell’s faux Irish accent!

An endearing, Oscar worthy performance by Minnie Driver highlights "Circle of Friends," a poignant story of friendship, love and loyalty, set in 1957 Ireland, directed by Pat O'Connor. Driver stars as Bernadette "Benny" Hogan, a sensitive, somewhat self-conscious young lady (she sees herself as plain and over-weight), about to enter the University of Dublin, along with her two, life-long friends, Eve (Geraldine O'Rawe), and Nan (Saffron Burrows). At school she meets rugby star and med student Jack Foley (Chris O'Donnell), and falls in love with him; and, once he gets to know her, (and after a somewhat tenuous beginning), Jack realizes that he loves Benny, as well. Conflict intervenes upon their romance, however, and complications ensue when circumstances force them into a prolonged separation. Benny's home is a bus ride away from Dublin, and it becomes necessary for her to stay for awhile and help with the family store. Ultimately, it leads to an incident involving Jack and Nan, when Jack becomes unwittingly drawn into a particularly sensitive and unpleasant situation which has recently arisen between Nan and her wealthy suitor, Simon Westward (Colin Firth). Driver is the real story here, though, as she gives an incredibly touching performance that so adeptly conveys Benny's sensitivities; she is Benny from the inside out, wearing her heart on her sleeve and so vulnerable to the pain that life can seemingly inflict at will. She is so winsome, and accessible, that it enables you to share her joy and feel her pain; all due to Driver's incredible ability to make such an absolute emotional connection between her Benny and the audience. And having the capacity to evoke such empathy underscores what a truly gifted actress Driver is. As Jack, Chris O'Donnell gives one of his finest performances to date, as well. He manages to delve beneath the surface to tap Jack's indecisiveness, his self-confidence tinged with doubt, while fleshing out the moral aptitude which defines him, and it's reassuring to know that there's so much more to him than being the star jock of the rugby team, because Benny deserves more than that. The audience's identification with Benny is so strong that her endeavors must be rewarded with a man worthy of her affection; for Jack to be any less than he is would be unacceptable and unsatisfying. The wonderful supporting cast includes Alan Cumming (Sean), Mick Lally (Dan Hogan), Ciaran Hinds (Professor Flynn), John Kavanagh (Brian Mahon) and Britta Smith (Mrs. Hogan). Superbly acted and well directed, "Circle of Friends" is a captivating, memorable film, visually attractive and complimented by an engaging soundtrack of lilting, Irish melodies, and Benny is a young woman you'll take into your heart and keep there; for she is unforgettable. This is one of those rare films that penetrates the soul and takes a real look at the human condition, and how fragile at times it can be. It will make you think; but above all, it will make you feel.

Very pleasaant film to watch in the evening.

Absolutely love this movie have watched it twice since I bought it

Brilliant film one of my all time favourites an Alan Cumming fan since my student days watching Bictor and Barry so for me he made the film loved it and forgot Colin Firth was in it aswell.