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| Movie Review: Broken Flowers Alternate Title: Don't Look Back
Story: I go against the tide
with this review. I did not like this latest, much touted film by Indie
director and writer Jim Jarmusch. How come you ask? I am not a fan of middle aged remorseful characters.
I am of the suck it up, just get along with your life school
type of gal. The woulda's coulda's and shoulda's are not part of my
vocabulary and I don't have much patience for that type of whining on
or off screen. Our main character, Don Johnston, has just had
another woman walk out on him. He gets an unsigned letter from a former
girlfriend informing he has a 19 year old son who may be looking for
him. His very colorful neighbor suggests and directs a road trip for
Don to go meet the four long lost women who might be the mother of his
son. And so it becomes a road movie to self discovery. As most of us
already know, looking back is a losing situation. But look back he does. If you like Bill Murray, even when he is repeating
characters he has played before, you might check out this film. But
if you are looking for answers to life's questions or are expecting
belly laughs from the the film, you will be very disappointed. Acting: Bill Murray plays almost
the same character he played in Lost in Translation, and I
think that role is wearing thin. His laid-back, stone face does not
work all of the time. The supporting cast is notable, including one
of my favoritesJeffrey Wright (Basquiat). The rest
of the fine cast all have cameo roles: Sharon Stone, Francis
Conroy, Jessica Lange, Tilda Swinton, Alexis Dziena, Chloe Sevigny and
Julie Delpy.
Predilection: None.
Critters: One of the former women friends is an animal
communicator and we get to see an adorable cat and a dog.
Blatant Product Placement: Moet, Taurus, Mapquest.
Opening Titles: The opening titles were superimposed
over a fast moving montage of the postal system.
Theater Audience: Packed for a Monday afternoon.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: I squirmed because it was very slow
moving at times.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Nit Picking: It needed editing.
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. If you
want to see some of Jamusch's other films, try: Coffee and Cigarettes,
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Year of the Horse, , Dead Man, Coffee
and Cigarettes III, Night on Earth Mystery Train,Coffee and Cigarettes
II, Down by Law, Coffee and Cigarettes, Stranger Than Paradise, The
New World and Permanent Vacation.
Length: Under two hours
LOBO HOWLS: 5
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