Sons and daughters of great filmmakers rarely become great filmmakers themselves. Zoe and Nick Cassavettes have the accomplishment of directing two of the worst Sundance films in the last two years. One must wonder if Geoffrey Gillmore or John Cooper put their stamp of approval on either film. I refuse to believe they had a part, but in this world a last name can get you anywhere (even Sundance apparently).
Broken English is about a single Woman in her thirties who works as a special services director at a boutique hotel in New York City. Parker Posey essentially plays Parker Posey aproaching a mid-life crisis. She is lonely and unable to find love. By now she should be married with kids, working the job of her dreams, but somehow she is still alone.
Inspired or pushed by her friend’s marriage, she goes on a series of bad dates, unable to find Mr. Right. And when she finally finds a man she likes, he ends up moving back to France. Regretting her decision to not go with him, she journeys to Paris with her married friend in search of herself and Jullian.
Drea de Matteo displayed some great ability on the HBO series, but that is not evident here. She’s tryng too hard to escape her Sopranos past, when she instead needs to embrace it.
It’s the usual near mid-life crisis fullfillment story and not much more. Zoe worked on the script through three years of rewrites, and it shows. The dialogue is over-meladramatic and stiff. The story is strung out, unoriginal and boring. Unfortunately, Zoe Cassavettes inherited little to none of her father’s filmmaking talent. She has John’s last name and little else.
/Film Rating: 5 out of 10
Distributors: Magnolia Pictures
Starring: Parker Posey, Drea de Matteo, Gena Rowlands, Jeanne Moreau, Justin Theroux
Directed by: Zoe R. Cassavetes
October 9th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
I think that this reviewer has a hard heart and mega cynical view point. The film was beautiful, well made and the theme is both current and timeless. Parker Posey conveys powerful as well as subtle emotions with facial expressions. She is a tremendous actress and has terrific chemistry with the young French actor. I could watch it again and again.
November 30th, 2007 at 9:53 am
I watched this movie last night, recommended it to a friend on the telephone, and whole-heartedly agree with Amy, the other reviewer. I never wanted the film to end, Parker Posey is always such fun to watch, and the film itself was shot beautifully — her apartment, white with a few turquoise-painted walls; walking around NYC; plus the fact that so many people can identify with her character. We’re all walking this planet alone, married or not. The ending was well-done, too — not sappy, not sad, not unbelievable, and it leaves you wanting more, which ignites the viewer’s imagination.