Circle of Two
Circle of Two is a 1981 Canadian drama film starring Richard Burton and Tatum O'Neal. It was the last film directed by acclaimed film noir director Jules Dassin. O'Neal - sixteen at the time of filming - appears topless in one scene.[1] PlotA 60-year-old artist, who has lost his inspiration when his muse left him 10 years previously, regains it when he falls in love with a sixteen-year-old. Cast
Production570 shares in the film were sold at $10,000 to 426 people to finance its $5.7 million budget.[2][3] Merrill Lynch earned $456,000 off of the commissions for the investment sales.[4] It was estimated that the film needed to make $8-15 million to break-even.[5] Richard Burton was paid $750,000 to appear in the film.[6][7] Thomas Hedley adapted Marie-Térèse Baird's book A Lesson In Love. The film was shot from 27 August to 3 November 1979. The film was mostly shot in Toronto, but three days were spent in New York and two days in Antigua. The film was 105 minutes long with a score by Paul Hoffert, but was later recut to 98 minutes with a new score by Bernard Hoffer.[8] Burton wanted his dog to be given a first class seat while flying on Air Canada to shooting in New York. Melina Mercouri, the wife of director Jules Dassin, also wanted to take her dog. A different airline was used.[9] Tatum O'Neal stated that her nude scene "was a mistake" and that she would never do one again.[10] In her autobiography, A Paper Life, O'Neal stated that the "premise of the movie was a little pedophilic and creepy, but the worst part for me was having to do a seminude scene. It's agonizing to watch-- this awkward young girl disrobing for the artist in his studio. Even from the back, my body language shows that they'd forced me to take my shirt off-- at least it's obvious to me-- and that I'm standing there miserably aware of my half-developed breasts."[11] ReleaseThe film was released in London on 7 May 1981, and shown by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on 31 March 1983. World Northal distributed the film in the United States.[8] The CBC paid around $600,000 for Circle of Two, Wild Horse Hank, and Mr. Patman.[12] John Crabb, one of the investors who filed a lawsuit, claimed that the film earned $190,000 from its Canadian television distribution rights and $150,000 for its American distribution rights although that money had not been collected.[13] Securities commissions in Ontario and Quebec issued a cease-trading order against Circle of Two in September 1982.[14] On 25 August 1983, 240 of the film's investors filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Ontario and sought $34 million.[3][15] Additional lawsuits were filed by other investors before a settlement was offered in 1987.[16][17] Critical receptionCircle of Two received mostly negative reviews at the time of its release.[18] Terry Kelleher, writing in the Miami Herald, gave the film one star out of four stating that it "lives down to expectations" and was critical of its cinematography and Burton's performance.[19] Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide states that "Burton is OK, and Dassin does not go for the cheap thrill, but the result is slight and forgettable."[20] From People magazine's "Picks and Pans Review":
In his review of Chris Williams' "The Richard Burton Diaries" for Commentary, critic Terry Teachout notes that this film was considered a low point in Burton's long, once-esteemed career:
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