Review of Broken (2012) by Nancy F — 27 Aug 2015

I'm not really sure what led me to watch this film, on a chilly,rainy afternoon, nonetheless. Perhaps it was because I rate Tim Roth's performances; or because the lead character had Type I Diabetes, like my sister.

Whatever the reason, the story sucked me in and ate me up whole. It uncovered many bitterly sad revelations, which were merely commonplace. Perhaps the effectiveness stems from that commonplace reality. The idea that such tragedy could be taking place on Any Street in Any Town, sours upon the tongue and makes you cringe with realization.

Eloise Laurence, who plays the disparagingly nicknamed Skunk, is a great, little actress. She could definitely go far after such a serious casting as this. Tim Roth does a fine job, of course, but definitely does not carry the weight of the film on his shoulders.

I found it impossible to stop thinking back on this film for days, even though it would have been more pleasant to forget. It affects you; and yet you may not be prepared for that all consuming despair.