With the exception of Selma Blair and Beau Bridges, none of the actors in Columbus Circle seemed familiar, which did not detract from this thriller mystery.
Abigail Clayton (Selma Blair) is an agoraphobic recluse who has not left her plush apartment in Columbus Circle since her 18th birthday twenty years ago. A huge inheritance has allowed her to avoid contact with the outside world. The hotel concierge delivers and receives her mail but has never met her. She is in contact, mostly by phone with an old family friend, Dr. Raymond Fontaine, who advises her on health and financial issues.
Her life has remained undisrupted until the elderly female occupant of the apartment across from hers falls down a flight of stairs and becomes the center of a homicide investigation into the accident. The detective in charge seeks out Abigail to obtain any information she might know about the occupant or her visitors. Abigail is unhappy about the intrusion, but is less pleased with the new couple across the hall who engage in loud arguments and abusive treatment by the husband.
When Lillian is left outside Abigail’s door injured by her drunken husband, Abigail is forced to bring her inside for Lillian’s protection.
A long series of events occur where it appears that no one is innocent and everyone seems to be after Abigail’s inheritance. The kindly concierge, her doctor friend Dr. Ray, Lillian and her abusive husband all become weirdly connected and Abigail is left with only her wits to get out from under the horrible conspiracy directed against her.
The author of Columbus Circle is extremely clever in the resolution of Abigail’s problems. I thoroughly enjoyed the surprise ending, although the film did not get rave reviews but a great deal of criticism, strangely for predictability, which I did not see as one of its features.
For whatever reason, this film went straight to DVD and was not shown in movie theaters. For those addicted to films about reclusive characters, filled with suspense and characterized as a thriller, Columbus Circle is an excellent choice. It was entertainment time well spent.
Source:
Movie – Columbus Circle (2012)
www.imdb.com/title/tt1465533
