10 reasons for avoiding the Iranian film 'Circumstance'

Warning – Spoilers contained

1. The dull and unconvincing lesbian sex scene in bed.
2. The dull and unconvincing lesbian sex scene in the fantasy Dubai hotel.
3. The dull and unconvincing lesbian sex scene in bed (again)
4. The men in the audience who come to see dull and unconvincing lesbian sex scenes.
5. The gratuitous rape scene followed by the victim’s subsequent and immediate desire for the rapist.
6. The men in the audience who come to see gratuitous rape scenes followed by the victim’s subsequent and immediate desire for the rapist.
7. Insertion of one clever scene that plays with the film Milk and gives just one small and incorrect ray of hope that the film might improve towards the end.
8. The sheer difficulty of walking out of the film when you’re in the middle of the Forum cinema in the dark.
9. The frustration that attends a 9 pm screening of said film, knowing that escape will not be possible until after 11.
10. Ok- the last two are self-imposed conditions – I could only come up with 7 good reasons for avoiding this film.

If this doesn’t convince you, the following quote from the Slant website might, although I do not share the writer’s good will regarding the early stages of the film:

These latter acts topple the material full-bore into melodrama, sabotaging the early-going's convincing, compelling feel for youthful insurrection against stifling tradition in favor of more standard, less plausible tensions and conflicts. Casting Iran as a sinister social and political labyrinth designed to ensnare—and thus ensure docile acquiescence from—its female citizenry is no doubt justified, but the twists and turns of Circumstance prove increasingly formulaic and phony, especially once Mehran completes his transition from beaten-down recovering junkie to malevolent monster.

It won the audience prize at Sundance - something to do maybe with the "exotic" tags it has - ticks a lot of boxes...