Invisible Circus VHS

The screenwriter took liberties with the original story line of the novel, but the basic story is portrayed well in the movie. But I have to say, it isn't even as detailed as a "Cliff Notes" version of the novel. I'm a fan of the novel, so I didn't like how Phoebe's "Steve Jobs" like brother was not included in the screenplay. I also thought that it was important to establish that Wolf was from the same high school as Phoebe and her sister. The character of Wolf in the film was from England. The idea of two native San Franciscans escaping to Europe during the Vietnam War Era was critical to the story, I felt. Wolf can't go back to a world where he grew up, San Francisco and UC Berkeley, after the death of Faith. He's stuck, and he can't face Phoebe and her mother. Wolf merely living a few hours away from where he grew up doesn't portray the sense of self-imposed isolation an American might feel living in Germany, where he survives on the German he studied merely for his foreign language requirement at UCB. An Englishman living in Paris (Wolf in the movie), where many people speak English, just doesn't portray the sense of exile Wolf must feel.But the movie is fine if you don't compare it to the book. Like the book, the story takes place in the 1970s, but it might as well have taken place when the movie was made, the 1990s. There's beautiful scenery, but the story is too condensed, and the surprise ending doesn't have the same long build-up as in the novel. In the end, the story was wonderful for a full length novel, but does not seem to work as well for a movie.

I find this film fascinating for its subtext. It begins with a San Francisco family torn apart: A father's untimely death and his eldest daughter's demise in some far off part of Europe during the politically charged 1960s.Left behind are the mother and youngest daughter. When the daughter wants to answer the lingering questions she has about her big sib, she sets out to trace the path that her sister took, and to find out what she could about the events.Of course, she is cautioned every step of the way, first by her mom, then by her sister's long time beau, who very reluctantly and uncomfortably begins to recount the story of their excursion across the continent and their involvement with the "peace movement," and what he knew about his lover's death.The "Generation Gap" I refer here is the elder "Baby Boom" daughter, played by Cameron Diaz, and her "do anything" free spirited ways, and her kid sis, portrayed in a very reserved performance by Jordana Brewster, who demonstrates how a few years can make a big difference in how you get treated. Here, seemingly trapped in her existence, she plays the part of a bird trying to find her way out of the cage she has been locked in for her life, and trying to get some answers from a world that seems intent on "protecting" her.This isn't an action picture. I wouldn't even consider it a road picture, even though it takes place in Amsterdam, Paris and Portugal, beautiful locations all. But it is a psychological drama, about putting people's actions into a context, be it historical or just understandable. If you're born between the late 50s to the mid 70s, this film just might strike an important chord with you.Wonderful performances from Diaz, Brewster, and Christopher Eccleston as the former boyfiend who plays tour guide to both Europe and his ex's final days.Recommended.

It's an ok movie, better than its Rotten Apples rating, and it does have some lovely European scenery. What's remarkable about this film is the incredible match between Phoebe (Jordanna Brewster) and 12 year old Phoebe played by Camilla Belle. They really appear to be the same person with a six year age difference. In real life they both have Brazilian mothers, and both Camilla and Jordanna are fluent in Portuguese. And of course, they are both quite beautiful. Amazing. (You may remember Camilla as the little girl who got attacked by tiny dinosaurs at the start of Lost World Jurassic Park 3.)

Video and audio on disk was excellent. The case, however, was the worst case I have ever received. It broke at the area to open it, the protective cover also tore off the printed area on the cover. I tried to take a picture but unable to take it out of photo area. Video was excellent, but the case and covering need to be redone.

I enjoyed this movie, even though parts of it were ridiculous. The two main actresses were enjoyable to watch. The movie had a good pace that kept your interest. The romantic relationships were done well.

A sister Curiosity after her sisters passing almost Kills her and her mother because her mother remembers what happened and she can’t believe that so at the age of 18 after mother daughter spat she left a note saying she was going to find out what she needed to know about faith her sister so everything else is going to be answered by this Journey of self discovery what are the answers oh you’ll have to see it or find out.

The book is tremendous, covering a lot of psychological ground. By distilling the main plot and leaving out huge chunks of character development and Egan's observations about human nature, the movie seems almost trite. Great acting, beautiful scenery and natural- sounding dialogue -- except for the last scene with Wolf and Phoebe -- but ultimately an epic example of the book being vastly better than the movie.

Good

At first I thought it maybe Cameron Diaz in a kind of romcom like the dismal 1996 She's the one, I think it'sthe cover that makes you think it's some kind of love triangle.However, this is based on a book that I haven't read. It follows an accurate late 60s to mid 1970s history withDiaz's character getting involved in 1960s political activism in San Francisco. After getting disillusioned withVietnam she goes to Amsterdam (where you could squat legally in the Jordaan area etc - now illegal in 2010),then to Paris (which experienced May 1968's Sorbonne riots against the authoritarian regime of De Gaulle), theBerlin (area of Kreuzberg (I assume) which now is a hipster gentrification area) the onto Portugal which has 1974 CarnationRevolution against authoritarian rule.Her sister follows the path of Diaz by postcards she received as her younger sister to piece together what happenedto Diaz.I don't think it was a big hit, but it is a good story and far better than many box office hits

If you are a fan of Christopher Ecceleston then this is worth a watch. He is a wonderfully diverse actor and its good to see him with Cameron Diaz. However , I couldn't help but feel a little lost in places despite the simple storyline and wonder what the point was really.Disappointed I couldn't rate it higher really.

This film does have a story to it, and if you willing to sit through the first 30-40 mins it does get better. Although with the likes of Cameron Diaz and Christopher Eccleston i had high hopes and for me it didnt reach them. But that not to say its not for anyone else. You can get this film cheap off amazon market place so still worth a watch, make up your own mind.

Really nice little film. The kind you start watching on a whim, because there's nothing else on TV, and then you end up falling in love with it. Absolutely reccomend it!

OK I suppose hard to follow in places