Friday, September 21, 2007

BROKEN ENGLISH

Just finished watching BROKEN ENGLISH, the debut film from Zoe Cassavettes. It was a nice romantic dramedy with a smart, terrific lead performance from Parker Posey. Effortlessly sexy and very honest and believeable, her performance is one of the best of the year. The movie was a wee bit contrived but the unexpected nuance and a couple of nice story surprises makes this movie a cut-above for the genre. Produced by Magnolia films, it doesn't look like it cost too much to make, but that was part of the charm to be honest. The New York and Paris scenery is very appealing and the French actor, who's name escapes me, who plays Posey's main love interest was quite good as well. A very enjoyable little film.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi, Nick.

Melvil Poupaud. :)

I enjoyed Broken English as well. I didn't think the plot was contrived, though, considering that Nora was terribly lonely and that everything she did was motivated by fear of loneliness.

I did want to see an epilogue. But the ending as it was worked well enough, I guess.

-TimK

Actionman said...

I guess you're right. It just seemed to me that some of the events (her bumping into him on the train, her blind-date bumping into his ex, etc) strained credibility in an otherwise realistic movie. That said, it didn't take away from my enjoment of the movie overall.

Actionman said...

what is Melvil Poupaud?

Unknown said...

Ah, I see. It's interesting how the same story affects each of us differently. Those things were unlikely, yes, but possible. And in the story, they actually happened. So I never gave them a second thought.

The things that might have strained credibility for me are things that the characters did that don't make sense. Or events that are impossible within the story universe. Or obvious solutions to a problem that should be easy within the story universe, but aren't available for some unknown reason. Stuff like that.

Melvil Poupaud is the actor's name you couldn't remember. :)

-TimK

Actionman said...

thanks for giving me the name of that French actor. Melvil Poupaud should get more work in American films, I thought he was terrific. Are you a big movie buff? Have you enjoyed the rest of the blog?

Unknown said...

Hey. Sorry I didn't get back earlier. (Computer trouble. Long story.) I'm more of a NetFlix junkie than a film buff. I'm one of those rare fans who sees a good film on DVD and then desperately would like to see it on the big screen. (Because most of the films I take the trouble to see on the big screen turn out to be just so-so.) My dream is to own a house with a private screening room.

I just discovered this blog, via a blog search for "Parker Posey" IIRC. But I'm enjoying it. I like that you very quickly clue me into many films I wouldn't have the time to see otherwise.

-TimK

Actionman said...

Glad you're enjoying the blog, it's a lot of fun to do! And I am super pleased to see that I am showing you some flicks that you might not necessarily know about or get a chance to see. one question--what is IIRC?

Unknown said...

"If I Recall Correctly."

Actionman said...

cool, thanks for the clarification.