Full Circle is a slow-burn ghost story, one that relies on atmosphere and intrigue over cheap scare tactics. The film stars Mia Farrow as Julia Lofting, whose marriage breaks down after the death of her daughter Katie (a scene that will have you screaming 'Heimlich manoeuvre' at the screen). After Julia moves into a new home, she begins to experience strange occurrences that lead her to investigate the history of the building's previous occupants. As Julia slowly unravels the mystery, several of her friends and acquaintances meet sudden deaths. Is the ghost of an evil young girl responsible?
Mia Farrow, no stranger to the horror genre (her previous scary movies being Rosemary's Baby and See No Evil), puts in a great central performance as the emotionally fragile Julia, and she is supported by an excellent cast that includes Tom Conti as her best friend Mark (kind but very stupid -- who puts an electric lamp precariously above their bath?), Keir Dullea as Julia's husband Magnus, and Anna Wing as medium Mrs. Flood, plus minor roles for Peter Sallis and Nigel Havers. Director Richard Loncraine handles the story well, gradually building the eeriness, but ends his film with an ambiguous scene that could very well frustrate many viewers: Julia dies with two wounds on her neck (presumably from the cymbals on the clockwork toy she is holding) -- were they self inflicted, the woman finally allowing grief to get the better of her, or is she another victim of the malevolent spirit? I haven't the foggiest.
5.5/10, rounded up to 6 for the excellent cinematography and the effective score.
Mia Farrow, no stranger to the horror genre (her previous scary movies being Rosemary's Baby and See No Evil), puts in a great central performance as the emotionally fragile Julia, and she is supported by an excellent cast that includes Tom Conti as her best friend Mark (kind but very stupid -- who puts an electric lamp precariously above their bath?), Keir Dullea as Julia's husband Magnus, and Anna Wing as medium Mrs. Flood, plus minor roles for Peter Sallis and Nigel Havers. Director Richard Loncraine handles the story well, gradually building the eeriness, but ends his film with an ambiguous scene that could very well frustrate many viewers: Julia dies with two wounds on her neck (presumably from the cymbals on the clockwork toy she is holding) -- were they self inflicted, the woman finally allowing grief to get the better of her, or is she another victim of the malevolent spirit? I haven't the foggiest.
5.5/10, rounded up to 6 for the excellent cinematography and the effective score.