Directed by:
Jim JarmuschScreenplay:
Jim JarmuschCinematography:
Frederick ElmesComposer:
Mulatu AstatkeCast:
Bill Murray, Julie Delpy, Brea Frazier, Jeffrey Wright, Meredith Patterson, Ryan Donowho, Alexis Dziena, Sharon Stone, Frances Conroy, Christopher McDonald (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
The film tells the story of Don Johnston (Bill Murray), a man overflowing with wealth but void of emotion. On the day that his most recent girlfriend (Julie Delpy) has given up on him for good, he learns, through an anonymous letter, that he might be the father of a 19-year-old boy. Spurned into action by his wannabe private eye neighbor, Winston (Jeffrey Wright), Don sets off on a personal journey to visit the former partners who may or may not have mothered his child. They include the flighty Laura (Sharon Stone), whose daughter Lolita (Alexis Dziena) certainly lives up to her name; the uptight Dora (Frances Conroy), who has settled into a sterile life with her chipper husband, Ron (Christopher McDonald); the strangely distant Carmen (Jessica Lange), who makes a living as an "animal communicator;" and, finally, Penny (Tilda Swinton), a hard-edged biker who is the least happiest to see Don. Each confrontation leaves Don feeling more lost than the last, spinning him into an even greater state of apathetic confusion. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (7)
I never really related to Jarmusch much (based on my experience with the poser-like Dead Man), but thanks to Broken Flowers and especially through his vampire fable Only Lovers Left Alive, I know he has a sense of humor. It's just not humor for everyone. So what's so wonderful about Broken Flowers? Bill Murray, of course. And the whole cohort of beautiful mature women. The tender Julie Delpy, the very sexy Sharon Stone, the fragile Frances Conroy, the refined Jessica Lange, and, last but not least, the wild Tilda Swinton. One can imagine a wonderful parallel to today's The Private Life of Don Juan. I only rarely share the feelings prescribed in the directing explication. I like slow-fading films. ()
The success of some movies is a bit of a mystery to me. Broken Flowers received praise from film critics, and enjoyed success at film festivals and among viewers. That's why I was surprised at how inconspicuous and unexceptional this film is, considering the abundance of other films from the American independent scene. It's not a bad film, definitely not - it's just that in the careers of everyone involved, from the director to the last actor, there are better films. Broken Flowers is neither avant-garde nor provocative nor attractive nor exceptional. The main character, Don Johnston, is also not well-written. I didn't believe in his numerous love affairs and his resourcefulness, and he didn't exude any leftover charisma or mischief in his behavior. This is the resigned, dull man who was recently left by his lover for stagnant adolescence? On the other hand, Broken Flowers does have a great cast and performances, a nostalgic mood, and mild, unintrusive humor. Overall impression: 60%. ()
A film that literally enchanted me with its poetry, its way of capturing human nature (completely naturally), and how perfect its individual characters are. The natural acting of great actors is wonderful, and Bill Murray is simply magical. Even though it's not primarily a comedy, but rather a quite depressing look into the life of a person who hasn't accomplished much, in the end, you realize that it's a beautiful film about how everyone creates their own life. And it's up to each person whether or not they regret what they've experienced and done. ()
Like in real life. Mine, yours, anyone's. You don't have to be a bachelor who sits around and sweats most of the day to understand what this Don (Juan) Johnston is doing. Broken Flowers is a film in which almost everything is minimalist - the script, the direction, Bill Murray's performance... Yet it still has more to say than many others. ()
The concept may be schematic and worn out, but the screenplay is exceptionally well-developed. The melancholic, slow-paced atmosphere is masterfully crafted by the straightforward storytelling of Jim Jarmusch, while Bill Murray's performance is tragically comedic and truly masterful... I got a warm feeling from the fact that the film I just watched gave me hope that even though I am 30 years younger than the main protagonist, my life doesn't have to be devoid of meaning. The detective plot, which pokes at the hearts of classic private eye enthusiasts, is brought to a satisfying conclusion. Along with its openness and philosophical undertones, it offers hope even to the most stubborn pessimists. ()
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