Directed by:
Rufus NorrisScreenplay:
Mark O'RoweCinematography:
Rob HardyCast:
Tim Roth, Eloise Laurence, Cillian Murphy, Bill Milner, Denis Lawson, Rory Kinnear, Robert Emms, Lino Facioli, Zana Marjanovic, Nell Tiger Free, Paul Thornley (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
BROKEN is the captivating coming of age tale of Skunk - an eleven year old diabetic girl growing up in the suburbs of North London - and her earth shattering journey into adolescence. Skunk has a relatively carefree existence living with her dad Archie, her older brother Jed and their Au-pair Kasia. But when she witnesses a sudden and brutal act of extreme violence between two of her neighbours, the comfortable, familiar neighbourhood she once knew slowly begins to unravel around her with drastic consequences. (StudioCanal UK)
(more)Reviews (4)
A gritty drama that doesn't seem like one at first glance. It has an interesting use of flashbacks, which can certainly be considered innovative. The peaks of this film come completely unexpectedly, which makes their impact on you even greater. Here once again you will feel how disgusting life can be and that it doesn't cuddle with anyone. There's nothing fair here, there's nothing we can rely on. We just live and it works out. Somehow. Disturbing, yet brilliant.
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One of the best new dramas I’ve seen this year. I loved how beams of light, hope and good mood flash from time to time through the concentrated clouds of depression.
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I won't speculate on how much Broken deviates from the ideas of a social drama and how many of its elements exceed it. Rather, I will say that this drama from the urban periphery emotionally struck me to the core. I believed in the conflicts, motivations, and crises of these characters, and the actors convinced me of their high qualities without exception. Eloise Laurence is a talent that would be a great loss not to utilize, and I hope to see her in a few more films even as an adult. I would disagree with labeling the film as a melodrama, as these are not emotions that are cheaply squeezed out. Rufus Norris convinced me, with his imaginative direction, clever use of flashbacks, and dosing of information, that it is worth following his future work. Overall impression: 90%.
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Except for a few details I was pleasantly surprised and very satisfied with the film. Not even the calmer scenes were boring, the acting performances were convincing, and the characters were written in such a believable way that I wished some of them a painful accident (right, Sunrise?).
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