Greenes Please don't spend money on this.

Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews

ChicRawIdol A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Bessie Smyth Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

aarosedi The film showcases a brilliant ensemble of Iranian female actors that Panahi utilized to offer to the audience a glimpse of a women's place in the contemporary Iranian society, a pessimistic world-view, the necessity of them having to be accompanied by their respective husbands or guardians in public or the need to have with them a written permission whenever traveling alone, etc. But for the unlucky women who haven't nabbed themselves a husband, nothing could be more disheartening than to see those women act like common thieves scampering at the sight of the religious police, fear of being detained for doing the mundane licit things people do freely and take for granted in the Western world. Some of them inevitably end up falling into the world's oldest profession to support themselves wherein that would definitely be grounds for them to be arrested, pardon the metaphor, and rounded up just like stray dogs for having no masters.The narratives of these Iranian women stumble unto each other. While a certain character's story hasn't sunk in yet with the viewer, in comes another woman's story entangled in yet another wretched situation. Mr. Panahi opted to have the viewer to see the bigger picture rather than see the finer strokes or the more detailed exploration of their lives, going for objectivity rather than going towards overwhelming the viewer with their despair, guns towards level-headedness that perhaps could affect change or persuade, because ultimately, a woman would be more capable in scrutinizing and bringing forth the women's POV in a place like Iran. But unfortunately, if the women that country are unable to be vocal regarding their fate in contemporary Iran because of the restrictions rooted in their culture, it's left to men like Panahi to give voice to that sentiment and document such a scathing commentary.There's a scene where a pregnant woman Pari is making a telephone call and was approached by a pair of soldiers asking her for help, a bit of sardonic humor from Mr. Panahi. Impeccable. My rating: A-minus.

Mehdi Nemati This film is directed by the famous Iranian director "Jafar Panahi" who is in prison now because of his political beliefs. "The Circle" won many prizes in the international festivals such as "Venice Film Festival", "San Sebastián International Film Festival", "Singapore International Film Festival", etc. but The Islamic Republic government banned this film in Iran. "The Circle" criticizes the treatment of women in Iran. Panahi gives a chance to amateur actors to play the main roles in the film. All the actors are amateurs, except Fereshteh Sadr Orafai who plays Pari, and Fatemeh Naghavi, who plays the mother abandoning her daughter. I give to "The Circle" 9/10, because I think it has a realistic view to the problems of Iranian Women in my country.

GVA-2 A potent movie, portraying much that is now common knowledge among informed westerners. What was very significant to me was the emotional response it was able to elicit in me despite my prior knowlege of the place women have in many muslim countries. Not only a combination of frustration, anger and despair at the gross injustice perpetrated against women, but the pervasive tension and paranoia generated by a police state.I thank my lucky stars that I live in the West, with all its foibles.

jordiainaud A script with a wonderful structure; an outstanding team of actresses; the most creative sound track I've heard since God knows when(I'm not talking about the music: this is a film you've got to listen to, not just watch); a masterful use of off-screen shots; the best opening sequence I've seen this year: a long shot in the tradition of "Touch of Evil" or "The Player"... Daring and thought-provoking in its contents as well as in its form, you may not find it absolutely perfect, but "The Circle" surely fits my definition of a masterpiece.