Review of Breaking and Entering (2006) by Stuart K — 16 Apr 2013

The final theatrical film of Anthony Minghella, best known for The English Patient (1996) and The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), this was his first original film since Truly Madly Deeply (1990), and he wanted to show urban London as it was, and how a series of incidents change people's lives forever.

It's hard to see what Minghella's intentions are, as it comes off feeling a bit half-hearted and confused. In London, architect Will Francis (Jude Law) lives with his girlfriend Liv (Robin Wright Penn) and her 13 year old autistic daughter Bea (Poppy Rogers), Will and Liv's relationship is on the rocks.

Will's work of place is broken into by a gang of Bosnian thieves, which include Mirsad "Miro" Simi? (Rafi Gavron) who uses Parkour to break into places, he steals Will's laptop. After looking on the laptop, Miro becomes obsessed with Will and stepdaughter Bea.

Will and colleague Sandy (Martin Freeman) decide to stakeout the workplace, and it leads him to Miro's home, where his lives with his Muslim mother Amira Simi? (Juliette Binoche), who had actually encountered Will just a few days before, putting Will in a difficult spot.

It's a shame this turned out to be Minghella's last film, (unless you count his TV film The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (2008), which is a worthier epitaph), as it just seems stilted. Which is a shame considering the brilliant cast Minghella got together.