Review of Broken English: Three Songs by Marianne Faithfull (1979) by Céline R — 24 Aug 2010

Zoe R. Cassavetes has clearly tried to make an artsy and independent romantic comedy when she has written and directed â??Broken Englishâ?? a movie about Nora, a beautiful and successful young woman who can't find â??True Loveâ?? (TM). Tonewise the film does okay; it doesn't look or feel sugary or fluffy, but unfortunately the script is filled with awkward dialog and platitudes that do little more than state the obvious time and again.

I also had some major problems with the protagonist. I don't at all think that lead characters should be heroic and virtuous, but Nora is just such an annoying stereotype of a weak and insecure woman it irritated the heck out of me. And I have to say that Parker Posey is completely awful in the role with odd expressions and poses that didn't make me believe in the character for one second. And- surprisingly- even usually-reliable-always-nice-to-look-at Melvil Poupaud wasn't convincing as a very stereotypical â??perfect manâ?? who could have been taken straight from any generic romantic film.

If you're really into chick flicks, this might be a welcomed distraction from the standard Hollywood peppiness. But ultimately â??Broken Englishâ?? is pretty much as insubstantial as any standard Jennifer Aniston cupcake comedy.