Oh sure, I know he must be out there doing something. But I recently saw this for the 2nd time, the first time at a second run movie house and I just fell in love with movie again. Chris O'Donnell and Minnie Driver (what happened to HER?) have great (but not amazing) chemistry going between them, and throughout the movie I was also saying, "who is that weasely looking chap playing the father's assistant in the haberdashery shop?" Only to find out it was Alan Cummings! (blush). I did like the love story, but the whole pregnancy angle seemed a bit too forced, and the whole mystery being solved at the end in one full swoop was a bit much. Still, it was nice to see O'Donnell acting before he sold himself out and started doing dreadful movies.

If you're looking for the perfect movie for your next girls' night, find a copy of Circle of Friends. It's a classic '90s drama and a total chic flick, so don't invite any boys to your party.

Minnie Driver, after a few television credits, makes a splash in her film debut as the interesting, endearing center of a circle of friends in 1950s Ireland. She's overweight and unattractive, but while she's self-deprecating, she isn't fishing for compliments or insecure with who she is. She's mature, responsible, intelligent, sensitive, and also happens to be overweight and unattractive. Even with the Catholic Church frightening her, her parents not understanding her, and an unwelcome suitor trying to take the place of the boy she's falling in love with, she never turns bitter, angry, or ugly. She's a truly wonderful character, and the driving force of the film.

Minnie falls in love with Chris O'Donnell, who puts on an impressive Irish accent, but her parents want her to settle for Alan Cumming. She tells Chris to be careful with her, uttering the heartbreaking line, "I may look like a rhinoceros, but I've got thin skin," and warning the audience that they might want to reach for their handkerchiefs at some point later in the film. Minnie's friend Geraldine Rowe isn't given much to do, but her other friend, Saffron Burrows, is given a very challenging role. She starts the movie innocent, but as she lusts after the older Colin Firth, she changes.

Every actor in this movie gives realistic and powerful performances, and the story will tug on your heart long after you've finished. Certain movies have the feel of a bygone era, and this is one of them. It doesn't quite capture the feeling of the 1950s, but it certainly reminds you of the good old '90s.

Kiddy Warning: In this movie, there may or may not be a rape scene.

It's 1949 Knockglen, Ireland. Best friends Eve, Benny and Nan have their Confirmation Day. Then it's 1957. Nan Mahon (Saffron Burrows) is long gone to Dublin. Bernadette Hogan (Minnie Driver) and Eve Malone (Geraldine O'Rawe) have graduated. Orphan Eve's father was the wealthy Westward family's gardener. Simon (Colin Firth) is the dashing Westward son. The girls go to Dublin University College but Benny has to go home every night while Eve is living in a convent. They are reunited with social butterfly Nan at college. Benny falls for fellow student Jack Foley (Chris O'Donnell). Creepy Sean Walsh (Alan Cumming) from home has an eye for her. Aidan Lynch (Aidan Gillen) likes Eve. Nan wants the older Simon.

Minnie Driver may be a tall gal but the way she's described, she needs an extra 50 pounds. She probably needs to be uglier. On the other hand, Chris O'Donnell is way too pretty, not just handsome but swoopy-haired pretty. He's essentially the pretty girl in this romance and rather bland. They have good chemistry but not very heated one. It tries to do something with sexual rebellion in the repressive religious atmosphere. Even when the movie takes some twists, it never really surprises.