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Broken English
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Directed by Zoe Cassavetes.
A single thirtysomething whose friends all seem to be romantically involved, happily married, or with child meets an eccentric Frenchman who shows her just what an amazing place the world can truly be in director Zoe Cassavetes' entry into the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. As if it wasn't depressing enough to be 35 and still single, Nora (Parker Posey) is constantly reminded by her loving but tactless mother (Gena Rowlands) just how unlucky she has been in love. Though Nora longs to enter into a blissful union like the one of her best friend, Audrey (Drea de Matteo), she finds that the dating pool just isn't what it used to be. Things soon begin to look up, however, when Nora makes the acquaintance of handsome Frenchman Julian (Melvil Poupaud). While the two share an instant chemistry that is undeniable, Nora is saddened to learn that Julian will soon be departing for his native soil. When Julian does depart, Nora laments the fact that she wasn't able to express her feelings more effectively. If only Nora could organize her scattered thoughts long enough to remember her love object's last name, she might not have to go searching out every "Julian" in Paris to locate the man of her dreams. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
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KarinaKarina Parker Posey’s Sitcom Misstep U ...
by Karina in Karina on SpoutBlog
liked it.
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"When we first saw clips of Parker Posey’s stab at sitcom stardom, the long-delayed FOX offering The Return of Jezebel James, we were skeptical that the sometime high school hazer and incestuous Jackie O impersonator would be able to make the transition to laugh track anchor without diluting her own charms, or worse, becoming really, really annoying. Based on the first two episodes, which are already available for watching and embedding via Hulu (see the pilot above), both of our fears were valid––Posey’s total inability to grasp sitcom comic timing is a big problem, and her flailing attempts to do so strip her of all likeability. It’s such a sad thing to see such a strong actress in a debacle like this, especially just one year after making a really good film which, in a fair and just world, would have sat at the top of her resume until she could get cast in something even better. But there are sadder things about Jezebel James to discuss… (more…) Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » ... " [More]
SpoutBlogSpoutBlog Parker Posey’s Sitcom Misstep U ...
by SpoutBlog in SpoutBlog on spout.com
hasn't rated it.
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"When we first saw clips of Parker Posey’s stab at sitcom stardom, the long-delayed FOX offering The Return of Jezebel James, we were skeptical that the sometime high school hazer and incestuous Jackie O impersonator would be able to make the transition to laugh track anchor without diluting her own charms, or worse, becoming really, really annoying. Based on the first two episodes, which are already available for watching and embedding via Hulu (see the pilot above), both of our fears were valid––Posey’s total inability to grasp sitcom comic timing is a big problem, and her flailing attempts to do so strip her of all likeability. It’s such a sad thing to see such a strong actress in a debacle like this, especially just one year after making a really good film which, in a fair and just world, would have sat at the top of her resume until she could get cast in something even better. But there are sadder things about Jezebel James to discuss… (more…) Originally posted on:SpoutBlog " [More]
paulpaul FilmCouch #32
by paul in paul on spout.com
hasn't rated it.
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"An artist takes on the remake of a canonical film by opening up the creation to the YouTube generation. Interviewing artist Perry Bard who is calling for people everywhere to shoot pieces of their lives to remake Dziga Verdov’s Man with a Movie Camera (1929) shot by shot. Also, Karina Longworth gets personal about Broken English (2007) starring Parker Posey, Gena Rowlands and directed by Zoe Casssavetes. We also discuss The Gleaners and I (2000). Download FilmCouch #32 or subscribe in the iTunes store (search for “filmcouch” or click here to launch iTunes) and a new free episode will download every Friday. Join the FilmCouch group Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Paul " [More]
SpoutBlogSpoutBlog Single-Chick Indie Miracles
by SpoutBlog in SpoutBlog on spout.com
hasn't rated it.
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"It’s not quite 8:00 AM, but I have a candidate for Quote of the Day. From Michael Atkinson’s review of Broken English, newly released on DVD, at IFC News: Posey-triumph and single-chick indie miracle that it is, Broken English may also be the most eloquent portrait of its subject demographic ever made, despite changing two-thirds of the way through into a slightly ditzy French-movie version of itself and robbing a little, in the end, from Linklater’s Before Sunset. While Sex in the City reruns are merely the idiot’s guide to lonely-girl anesthetization, Cassavetes’s feature-film debut is the true gem. Whatever you think of Zoe Cassavetes’ film, it’s definitely had an interesting media life. Largely overlooked at Sundance, generally shrugged-over in its theatrical release, reclaimed late in the game by a handful of bloggers (including me) and now, finally, earning glowing reviews at the end of its media cycle. If theatrical distribution is now essentially a commercial for home enter ... " [More]
SpoutBlogSpoutBlog FilmCouch #32
by SpoutBlog in SpoutBlog on spout.com
hasn't rated it.
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"An artist takes on the remake of a canonical film by opening up the creation to the YouTube generation. Interviewing artist Perry Bard who is calling for people everywhere to shoot pieces of their lives to remake Dziga Verdov’s Man with a Movie Camera (1929) shot by shot. Also, Karina Longworth gets personal about Broken English (2007) starring Parker Posey, Gena Rowlands and directed by Zoe Casssavetes. We also discuss The Gleaners and I (2000). Download FilmCouch #32 or subscribe in the iTunes store (search for “filmcouch” or click here to launch iTunes) and a new free episode will download every Friday. Join the FilmCouch group Originally posted on:Spoutblog " [More]
DemndiaryDemndiary Sincere Film About The Magic
by Demndiary in Demndiary Blog
liked it.
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"I found Zoe Cassavetes' Broken English a refreshingly honest film. Nora is simply portrayed by Parker Posey as a fearful woman, who drinks to excess, and is scared of being alone. Her friendship with Audrey acts as much to her loneliness as her mother. The married friend is the mixed curse. Nora wanders from date to date, but is truly unfufilled. She seems more of a victim in dating instead of a participant. This changes with Julian. Melvil Poupard's Julian is the muse who makes Nora's life unbalanced. He is also the one who makes her happy. She is transformed in his presence. It is magic onscreen. It is subtle enough to be real. The trip to Paris is a journey of discovery both outward and inward for both Audrey and Nora. It gives them both new eyes on their worlds. Personally, the one scene that opitimized Nora's life was Julian cleaning some dishes in Nora's sink. It was a cramped space with few glasses. The sign of a single person. It was a wise scene to keep ... " [More]
wongawonga broken english
by wonga in wonga's filmblog
is neutral about it.
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"saw this at a sneak preview. somewhat disappointing but worth seeing if you're a Parker Posey fan since she's fabulous as usual. the beginning where she's getting dressed for a party is beautifully shot and hints at great things to come but for me it goes downhill from there. the story is clunky and the movie doesn't "flow." it's sort of a "finding yourself" story but even that isn't developed. i don't know what was up with the ending either since it was exactly the same as another movie that most people will recognize. anyway, guess i expected something else with the actors that were involved. the French actor who plays the love interest was in another movie i saw recently, Time To Leave, and he was so great in that movie that this performance was a major let-down. " [More]
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