Broken Roads

I did not know acting could be so bad. It's just so bad.

It you like soppy melodramas then this one is for you or maybe not even. The film begins with a loud and graphic horror movie like scene. So if you are squeamish like many melodrama lovers, then you might want to close your eyes for the first scene. The story itself can be told in a 5 min short, as it is predictable and climaxes very early to only drag on like "beating a dead horse" for 2 1/2 hours. However there is lot's of shouting and childish tantrums to get you through to the resolution segment followed by a couple more "cups of water, to keep the pot of sorrow and heartache boiling at a slow simmer, until it eventually dries up".

I read all the reviews of this movie and would not say it was as bad or as good as was posted. I think the actors were all pretty good, but the script needed some work. I am not in the film industry so my critique may be flawed, but I am an avid movie goer and I know what I like. Evidently the producer is very young from what I have read. Perhaps he took on more than he could handle which happens when first wanting to do a film. I think newcomers want to become famous so they bite off more than they can chew, so to speak. Movie was way too long for a character study, and that is what this movie is about. It appeared to be like a collection of auditions and not an even flow to it. Aiden Bristow can act but his transition from angry teen to forgiving grandson was way too quick. The movie was long so take the time for him to change character. All of a sudden he was happy and content. If his catharsis was to be the theme of the movie, then it should happen slowly not abruptly as presented. Do not know his real age, but much to old- looking to play a teen. Shoshona did a great job but her script was amateur. Photography was fine and Sally was OK with what she had to work with, as it seemed more like she was acting in a Broadway play. All done and said it was not a bad movie, it just needed some work. Perhaps Justin Chambers has matured since 2012 and had some advice in making a movie. I gave it 5 stars because it kept my interest, it made me cry, and I was curious to see how it all ended. So you see there were some good points to the movie, just needed a little cleaning up.

So long and dragged out. It could use more plot and oomph!

Broken Roads is a well written, beautifully filmed and emotionally laden story of a young boy, Aldo, played by Aiden Bistrow, who does a beautiful job of showing the angst of a young boy who tragically loses his mother in a car accident. He is then forced to live with his estranged grandmother who is played brilliantly and emotionally by Sally Kirkland. Both Kirkland and Bistrow show a realistic view of the anger despair of losing a loved one and having your life twisted around. Anger turns to respect for them as they learn about each other while time passes, they then grow love each other as families do. This growth is shown very subtley in this film and mimics a real life scenario as this process would not be so easy. Shoshana Bush plays Aldo's young love interest, Madeline, who I think every man watching the film will fall in love with along with Aldo. Ross Marquand, plays Aldo's father and does an excellent job playing this tricky role of a man who never met his son and tries to explain why. Along with the acting, the songs and the scenery are both breathtaking. It is amazing how well this film is put together being such a small, independent film. Kudos to the directors and producers!!