Review of The Broken Circle Breakdown (2012) by William H — 08 Dec 2013

Wow, this is a heavy drama and it's a tearjerker but it's not a cheesy melodrama. Van Groeningen avoids cheap emotional manipulation although he does confront the viewers with some heavy scenes but it never feels cheap. The narrative is disjointed but the non-linear approach works perfect here. What's most striking is the wonderful soundtrack, with lead actors Veerle Baetens & Johan Heldenbergh actually singing, and the energy that comes from the music. Sound and vision are such a perfect match in this film and the acting performances are stunning. Seldom have I seen a relationship under stress so well depicted as in this feature.

Based on a theatrical play (that also featured J. Heldenbergh) The Broken Circle Breakdown won the Audience Award in Berlin and the best actress & screenplay award in Tribeca. It also won in Copenhagen. It's not my favourite film by Felix Van Groeningen, who has build quite a reputation over the years, but it certainly is his most succesful one.