Broken Flowers follows the story of Don Jonston (played by the adorable Bill Murray) who is informed by a letter written by an anonymous lover that he has an illegitimate son. With the help of his neighbor, Winston (Jeffery Wright), he gets the current addresses of four women that could be the anonymous writer and goes off in hopes of finding his son.
The story, written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, is brilliantly crafted. Initially, after the first three women he visits, it seems as though Don has gained nothing, however, after being punched out on his last visit, the movie takes a turn toward honest poignancy. During a brilliantly filmed and acted scene where Don visits the grave of a lover on his original list that has passed away, with the simplicity of Don sitting against a nearby tree and fighting back tears, we see just how his life-long recklessness with women has taken a toll on his heart.
The performances in Broken Flowers are nothing short of superb, as Bill Murray, specifically, shines. He's gotten to a point as a performer where he can do so much with so little (as seen in 2003's Lost in Translation), and though he seems to be doing the usual Bill Murray shtick to start the film, his performance ascends to where the audience has pity for this man who's loved so many but has nothing to show for it.
If the film has a weak spot, it's only because of some of Jim Jarmusch's directorial choices. At times, the film tries to be artsy when it simply shouldn't. Continual fading to black to close scenes jars the audience out of the story, and luckily for Jim, the strength of the screenplay and his actors' performances can draw them back in. However, as odd as some of his choices are, Mr. Jarmusch is a master at drawing out awkward silences between characters (and this film has plenty), allowing time and his actors to earn the laugh that may otherwise not exist.
This film may be a bit over-hyped by now, but with little else worth seeing in theaters these days, it may just be worth your $10.75.
Joe Haupt
Broken Flowers
Broken Flowers follows the story of Don Jonston (played by the adorable Bill Murray) who is informed by a letter written by an anonymous lover that he has an illegitimate son. With the help of his neighbor, Winston (Jeffery Wright), he gets the current addresses of four women that could be the anonymous writer and goes off in hopes of finding his son.
The story, written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, is brilliantly crafted. Initially, after the first three women he visits, it seems as though Don has gained nothing, however, after being punched out on his last visit, the movie takes a turn toward honest poignancy. During a brilliantly filmed and acted scene where Don visits the grave of a lover on his original list that has passed away, with the simplicity of Don sitting against a nearby tree and fighting back tears, we see just how his life-long recklessness with women has taken a toll on his heart.
The performances in Broken Flowers are nothing short of superb, as Bill Murray, specifically, shines. He's gotten to a point as a performer where he can do so much with so little (as seen in 2003's Lost in Translation), and though he seems to be doing the usual Bill Murray shtick to start the film, his performance ascends to where the audience has pity for this man who's loved so many but has nothing to show for it.
If the film has a weak spot, it's only because of some of Jim Jarmusch's directorial choices. At times, the film tries to be artsy when it simply shouldn't. Continual fading to black to close scenes jars the audience out of the story, and luckily for Jim, the strength of the screenplay and his actors' performances can draw them back in. However, as odd as some of his choices are, Mr. Jarmusch is a master at drawing out awkward silences between characters (and this film has plenty), allowing time and his actors to earn the laugh that may otherwise not exist.
This film may be a bit over-hyped by now, but with little else worth seeing in theaters these days, it may just be worth your $10.75.
