Circle of Two (1981)

The story of the impossible love between a schoolgirl and a 60-years old painter.

Director:

Jules Dassin

Writers:

Marie-Terese Baird (novel), Thomas Hedley Jr.

Stars:

Tatum O'Neal, Norma Dell'Agnese, Donann Cavin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tatum O'Neal	...	Sarah Norton
Norma Dell'Agnese	...	Ruspoli
Donann Cavin	...	Smitty
Elan Ross Gibson	...	Gym Teacher
Maggie Morris	...	Music Teacher
Richard Burton	...	Ashley St. Clair
Larry Ewashen	...	Men at the Cinema
Robin Gammell	...	Mr. Norton
Patricia Collins	...	Mrs. Norton
Michael Wincott	...	Paul
Daisy White	...	School Secretary
George Bourne Sr.	...	Old Man
Bibi Caspari	...	Mime
Gordon Jocelyn	...	Antiquary
Brendan McKane	...	Man at the Terrace

Storyline

In Toronto, the fifteen year-old student and aspirant writer Sarah Norton meets the sixty year old painter Ashley St. Clair in a cafeteria while hiding from her stalker boy-friend Paul. Ashley hasn't painted for ten years. He agrees to read the poems that Sarah has written. They start seeing each other at his studio and Sarah falls in love with him. Ashley feels a platonic love for Sarah that becomes his muse and he decides to paint again. Paul spies Sarah in Ashley's studio, and misunderstands their relationship, he attacks her in a cornfield but she defends herself.

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Plot Keywords:

painter | date rape | breasts | attempted rape | female nudity | 

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Taglines:

Love makes it right.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

November 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Obsession

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 5,700,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film Consortium of Canada, Milton Zyrman Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The picture was controversial for showing actress Tatum O'Neal topless as at the time of filming she was just under sixteen years of age. The film's "Lolita" type theme was also controversial despite the fact the relationship between the painter and the young writer was platonic.

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Quotes

Sarah Norton: Have you thought about going to bed with me?
Ashley St. Clair: Yes.
Sarah Norton: [walks over to the bed] Let's.
Ashley St. Clair: Obviously, no.
Sarah Norton: Why? Is it because you think I'm a virgin? Because if you think I am...
Ashley St. Clair: You are.
Sarah Norton: I am.

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Connections

References Gone with the Wind (1939)

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Soundtracks

"Piccolo Concerto"
Music by Antonio Vivaldi (as Vivaldi)
Piccolo Solo: Robert Aitken

User Reviews

Appreciated

Tatum O'Neal has been movie selective and has had a checkered past.

I truly enjoy every time I see Circle of Two. When I expect the cliches I see from watching numerous films, I do not get them--even when they approach them.

This is a doomed love, but one that is real. Very few films view this aspect of love without being sappy or swallowing themselves in sexual release.

I am biased toward Tatum O'Neal as an actress, so my comments are bent toward her as such. Yet, there is something in this film that makes me understand emotional truths.

I wish I could explain the importance of this film...