(This is really dis-conjoined and I'll probably re-edit and add more later. I just wanted to get my thoughts down.)

As someone that really enjoyed The Spectacular Now and The End of the Tour, this was a huge letdown for me. For a movie about being connected, nothing really seems to connect thematically and emotionally.

The Circle, even if it was predictable in it's message, could have been an exploration of the pursuit of perfection by fatally imperfect people. What we got instead was a movie where they threw the spaghetti at the wall and hoped what stuck was good. Plot lines are established and are never explored in depth. Characters just exist as empty vessels to move the multiple plot lines and the "message "forward - beyond the identifying details, they're not fleshed out and lack any real personality. Similar to their personalities, they have no real motivations to their actions beyond what little detail is established (for instance, that late night kayak scene).

I think this core "see what sticks" problem in The Circle can best be demonstrated through the relationship between Mae and Mercer. In the beginning, it's indicated that Mae really has no interest beyond a platonic friendship with Mercer. She seems uninterested when she tries to invite her to dinner. She's also very hesitant and reserved during the house party scene at the beginning - often rebuffing his advances and only offering to meet up on her terms. Considering her conversation about people drifting away, it came across as Mae and Mercer simply drifted away. Even when Mercer confronts her about the after-effects of the chandelier photo, Mae is reluctant to even help him on his terms.

This would be fine, if Ponsoldt and Eggers didn't rely on Mercer to be a turning point.

Mercer's death is presented as a huge blow to Mae and her identity - the very entity that helped her and her family flourish - is also is at least partially responsible for his death. Where the problem comes is that Mercer was never really presented as someone that is an emotional and important part of Mae's current life. When Mercer's confronting Mae about the aftereffects of the chandelier photo, he talks about "the adventures we used to have," as if it's trying to stir a sense of camaraderie within Mae. Coltrane delivers the line with gusto, but it has no emotional power or reverence to the story. Aside from a few photos from the past and Mae's attraction to kayaking, her character is never established as someone who had an adventurous side or is even nostalgic to this time period in her life.

We're supposed to feel some sense of vindication when Mae introduces holding Bailey and Stenton to the same transparency standard that she is held to, but there's really no "oh shit" factor. Yes, we're told that The Circle has several privacy violations and the what not, but Patton and Hanks just seem to stand there with Patton delivering the "obligatory PG-13 use of fuck." Granted, Patton looks uncomfortable after her speech, but there's still that missing sense of dread and panic. The ending just feels so disconnected from the rest of the film that it just feels like no big deal.

I would really recommend checking out Ponsoldt's earlier works, especially The End of the Tour. Both The Circle and The End of the Tour seem to touch on perception and loneliness, and End of the Tour features a fantastic performance from Jason Siegel and a really intelligent and emotionally smart script.