Review of Broker (2022) by Bertobellamy — 04 Aug 2023

Hirokazu Kore-eda continues his exploration of the meaning of family in 'Broker,' which touches on the delicate subject of human trafficking. As always, the Japanese director — now filming in South Korea — takes us into the heart of an unconventional family whose members, each struggling with their demons, slowly realize that they are part of one.

Kore-eda presents us with multidimensional characters and a story that, although a little overcomplicated, is as bleak as it is comforting. The plot deals with a major problem in the country: abandoned babies and controversial boxes for their mothers to leave them.

The denatured mother is a theme that several filmmakers have touched on in recent years — like Maggie Gyllenhaal in 'The Lost Girl' —; Koreeda, of course, does not judges and instead presents us with different perspectives on what this means in a society like Korea.

With unexpectedly funny moments, endearing characters, and a moving story that reflects on what unites a family — whether blood or upbringing —, 'Broker' emerges as a balm for the soul, as only Koreeda knows how to do it.