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Broken Flowers [2005]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Don Johnston is an empty man. He’s not short of money, thanks to his considerable success with computers, but he is short of emotion, and very much alone. Yet as the latest woman in his life exits stage left, he receives a mysterious note. In it, he learns of a son he never knew he had, with no clues whatsoever to his identity. And so begins Broken Flowers.

Primarily a road movie, it follows Johnston as he tracks back over his past romances and flings, in an attempt to find out who mothered his child, and ultimately, to meet his son. It’s not a task he’s too keen on, and one primarily undertaken at the urging of his next door neighbour. Yet it does make for a compelling film, anchored by yet another superb performance from Bill Murray, as Johnston.

The equal of his work in Lost In Translation, he’s very much the heart of this slow, diligent movie, that doesn’t answer the majority of the questions it poses, yet proves to be something well worth seeking out. And he’s well supported too, not least by Sharon Stone, who turns in lively, yet measured, work as one of Johnston’s exes.

Still, Broken Flowers is clearly not a movie for everybody, with its relaxed pace and willingness to not worry about ticking every box unlikely to earn it truly mass appeal. But it is a little gem in its own right, and a strong addition to an already weight back catalogue for indie moviemaker Jim Jarmusch. It’s worth it alone for Murray, yet Broken Flowers is a movie with plenty else going for it too. Perhaps you might like to give it a try…?--Simon Brew

Editorial
Synopsis

With 'Broken Flowers', staunchly independent filmmaker Jim Jarmusch delivers one of his most pleasing, accessible pictures. Winner of the 2005 Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, the film tells the story of Don Johnston (Bill Murray), a man overflowing with wealth but void of emotion. On the day that his most recent girlfriend (Julie Delpy) has given up on him for good, he learns, through an anonymous letter, that he might be the father of a 19-year-old boy. Spurned into action by his wannabe private eye neighbour, Winston (Jeffrey Wright), Don sets off on a personal journey to visit the former partners who may or may not have mothered his child. They include the flighty Laura (Sharon Stone), whose daughter Lolita (Alexis Dziena) certainly lives up to her name; the uptight Dora (Frances Conroy), who has settled into a sterile life with her chipper husband Ron (Christopher McDonald); the strangely distant Carmen (Jessica Lange), who makes a living as an Animal Communicator and, finally, Penny (Tilda Swinton), a hard-edged biker who is the least happiest to see Don. Each confrontation leaves Don feeling more lost than the last, spinning him into an even greater state of apathetic confusion. In typical Jarmusch fashion, he wrote the script for 'Broken Flowers' with his casting firmly in mind; only Murray could play this role. The result showcases Murray's brilliance as a less-is-more presence. Jarmusch also gives some of Hollywood's most talented female actresses roles they can relish. A hundred percent Jarmusch, 'Broken Flowers' is a wry, tender, and bittersweet portrait of a man who is drifting aimlessly through life.

a gentle stroll with a melancholy man
Review date: 2008-08-17 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is not a fast paced wham-bam-thank-you-mam popcorn movie, it is a leisurely journey with a man trying to come to terms with his past. I came away from this wanting more, but knowing enough to be contented.An excellent movie well worth the attention of anyone with a soul

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Reviews


Painful Watching
Review date: 2008-06-23 Rating: 4 out of 10

There's quirky, fun, amusing and thought provoking films out there but sadly, this is not one of them. I think the main issue is that the viewer has no empathy with Bill Murray's character. His deadpan face just grated after a while and instilled pity rather than any sympathy. That and you just spent half the film thinking that Murray's aged badly over the last few years. Not that this is an issue in itself but a symptom of the lack of interest the film inspires. Don Johnston as a character was empty; his former girlfriends were caricatures. That said, it was great to see so many good female actresses in the cast, definitely a redeeming feature. I felt that the thin plot was overloaded with symbolism which it failed to justify. I watched it all the way through hoping that there would be a light bulb moment and resolution. I joked about five minutes from the end that we'd see Bill Murray standing with a blank look on his face and it would just cut to the credits. And guess what, that's exactly what happened. Art for art's sake? Definitely.

Dead-pan drollery on a road-trip with an all-star cast
Review date: 2008-05-06 Rating: 6 out of 10

The thing that raises this film above the average is its supporting cast - all the old flames Don (Murray) visits have brilliant cameos; Jeffrey Wright as his best pal Winston brings light relief.
But Murray as ageing lothario Don is just an empty shell - he dead-pans it so much you wonder what the women saw in him. The segments of the road-trip in between the visits are largely tedious. Yet there are moments of emotion and drollness from him that make staying with it worthwhile, and the looks on the faces of his old girlfriends as it dawns who he is are worth the price of the DVD alone.

Excellent slow moving drama
Review date: 2008-04-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

Bill Murray (Groundhog day) stars in Jim Jarmusch's Broken Flowers, a story about a lonely closed off man who receives a letter from one of his former girlfriends telling him that their son is coming to look for him.

With its great acting, soundtrack and plot, this 2005 romantic drama brings a soft and touching tale about human emotions and finding yourself to the screen in a wonderful way.

Many critics have said that Murray usually plays the same character, a closed off sarcastic but loveable loser, so to speak. As I can see their point, there is no denying that Murray is terrific at what he does. My personal favourite role was in Lost in Translation where he played the closed off actor on a business trip in Tokyo, but this performance is equally as brilliant, with his dead pan expressions and his silence acceptance of situations.

I have never been a huge fan of Jeffery Wright but this was his best role to date. His helper role is well executed and you have to admire his character for what he does for Don, which is a beautiful signifier of friendship and love.

The plot moves along at a slow pace, following Don as he travels around hoping to find clues about the situation. Fantastic realism with strong focus upon relationships and people's lives makes the film brilliant in its drama genre. The slow scenes in the car are brilliant, showing how life goes by brilliantly.

These scenes are made intriguing by the brilliant soundtrack. With songs from Greenhornes, Holly Golightly, Marvin Gaye and Mulatu Astatke there is a slow feel to the moments in the car and in the situations. There is an end by Greenhornes and Golightly is brilliant and really captures the beginning of the film.

This is one film where the ending has many questions but is a wonderful climax to a great drama and is a definite watch.

8.5/10

Murray is resplendent as a dead man walking
Review date: 2008-03-19 Rating: 8 out of 10

Bill Murray is a minimalist joy in Jim Jarmusch's latest offering, Broken Flowers. Don Johnston (Murray's character) is a man going through the motions. Out of the blue he receives an unsigned letter from an anonymous former lover announcing she gave birth to Don's son nineteen years ago. With his friend, Winston (Jeffrey Wright), he narrows down the list of possibilities to four likely candidates. Soon Don hits the road in search of the son he never knew he had.

Sharon Stone is up first as Laura, a race-car driver's widow raising a teen daughter, Lolita (Alexis Dziena), whose name says it all. Next he visits prim and proper Dora (Frances Conroy of Six Feet Under), who claims to be infertile. Then he's off to visit Carmen (Jessica Lange), an animal communicator. She bristles when Don asks about kids, but claims she's never had children. The last visit is to see Penny (Tilda Swinton - my favorite of the film), a biker-chick who can't stand the sight of Don and has a friend rough him up.

Murray is resplendent as a dead man walking. His responses so muted that at times you want to put a mirror under is nose just to make sure he's still breathing. Fans of action films will no doubt hate Broken Flowers, but for the rest of us it's a real treat.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Tilda Swinton
Bill Murray
Julie Delpy
Sharon Stone
Jeffrey Wright

Creators:
Bill Murray (Primary Contributor)
Jeffrey Wright (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Momentum Pictures
Manufacturer: Momentum Pictures
EAN: 5060116720013
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2006-03-20
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2005
Language: English (Original Language)

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