Broken

So I'm perusing the video store looking for an older movie since I wasn't interested in any of the new releases. As I pick up random DVD's to check their genre and read their tag line I picked up this movie. I see thriller and Heather Graham's name and think, "she's cool, let me read on." Then I read something that sealed the deal: "this movie is like "Identity"..." OK, now that's the ticket, I loved the movie "Identity" with John Cusack.

Umm.... I'm still trying to link the two movies together. This was nothing like "Identity" besides the ONE scene in which she saw different versions of herself. The movie was alright, a bit gritty, raw, and depressing, but not all that appealing. All I really got from the movie is: if you land a boyfriend that is addicted to drugs, LEAVE HIM!!!

This film starts off OK. It has heather graham in it, so I wasn't expecting much besides nasty sex scenes and bulging eyes (of which you get both in this film). The fact that she is supposed to be some folksy singer-songwriter is laughable because I've met this character time and time again in the downtown art scene.

All of the dialogue, starting with Jeremy Sisto's entrance is laughable and obviously written by a man. If written by a woman, Hope (heather graham) would've reached for her pepper spray after Will's (Jeremy Sisto) initial pick up line.

The movie goes no where fast, has a small up lift with the black box theatre style of the dinner, then continues on a downward spiral. The cast is amazing, and I'm surprised that so many somewhat respectable actors would sign to such boring banal work.

The special features are a laugh and a half as more praise over Graham's beauty and perfection for the part is expressed. The producer says producer-like things like "many other actresses wanted this part but Heather was just perfect". Way to make it sound like Angelina, Charlize, and Drew all wanted to be part of this ishfest.

I'm glad I bought this for 3 dollars on Thanksgiving. I'll be thanks-giving this away on Ebay tomorrow.

There are so many other problems with this film including editing, music, and character development but the other REAL comments speak for themselves.

Jeremy Sisto...what happened?

BROKEN is a great film in the old school of 1970's film-making, Dark, good acting, wonderful cinematography, amazing soundtrack by The Brian Jonestown Experience.

Due for release on DVD November 20th (I think), so if you missed it in the theaters or at the many film festivals it screened at, then pick up the DVD. Heather Graham gives a great performance and the scene with her and Jessica Stroup are HOT! The nonlinear narrative is very cool, handled with mystery and atmosphere. Lots of questions are raised that if definitely gets you thinking about the film but also about your own decisions in life and the path these decisions have taken you on. There is Hope but there is also a Will. Nice work all around.

Obviously some viewers have a personal vendetta about this film. It wont be for everyone but it definitely can be appreciated. Its better than 90% of the garbage we watch today. For those that said this movie has no point, or its boring and has no topic would be wrong. You should try just watching a film with an open mind rather than hating on it from the opening credits. This movie is what you make it and its not supposed to be black & white answers. If you had a brain you would understand this film very easily. Most of the characters are just simply symbols for something greater. Whether they exist or not is irrelevant because after all this is why we sit down in front of the TV in the first place, to watch something that isn't real! I think some people tend to forget that.

I love watching Heather Graham in movies. Having said that, this movie was difficult to watch to the end. I have a hard time watching non-linear movies. Jumping back and forth into past, present, and future scenes is not only confusing but makes me lose interest. I shouldn't have to work this hard just to enjoy watching a movie. The drug use and self destruction is depressing. One of the main characters was a cigarette. It was always front and center. Sometimes I thought I was watching a cigarette ad instead of a movie. (Product placement, anyone?) With the drug addiction also comes violence towards women especially if she tries to escape. Anyone who has been in an abusive, controlling relationship will have PTSD again for sure. Halfway through, I had to get up and go do something random just to stomach the rest of the movie. Aside from the sudden contrived Hollywood ending, I felt like I had been trapped in a crack house for 90 minutes. Why Heather bothered with this script is beyond me. This may be reality for many people in the LA drug scene, but I watch movies for entertainment. Are you not entertained? I was not.