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Broken Flowers
2005
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-.. Read more
| Starring | Bill Murray, Jeffrey Wright, Sharon Stone, Tilda Swinton |
|---|---|
| Director | Jim Jarmusch |
| Genres | Comedy |
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Broken Flowers
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.
| Starring | Bill Murray, Jeffrey Wright, Sharon Stone, Tilda Swinton, Julie Delpy, Jessica Lange, Frances Conroy, Brea Frazier, Jerry Fall |
|---|---|
| Director | Jim Jarmusch |
| Studio | MOMENTUM PICTURES |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 41 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | English |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Released | DVD: 20 Mar 2006 Production year: 2005 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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The latest from cult American independent director Jim Jarmusch resembles a comedy with all the punchlines removed. That may not sound like a great night out, but this somber, wry... read more »
- LOVEFiLM
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Most helpful member's review
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46 out of 50 people found this review helpful
No Lost in Translation
Bill Murray turns in another understated performance this time for Jim Jarmusch in Broken Flowers. Murray stars as the unfortunately named Don Johnston, a sort of latter day Don Juan who’s comfortable life is turned slightly askew when he receives a letter informing him he has an eighteen year old son from a former conquest. As the letter is unsigned Don inflicts on himself an odyssey through the past to find the truth.
Broken Flowers has been described as Jarmusch’s most commercial film yet. Though this is true, viewers may find the director’s choice of long static shots and preference to leave major plot points unanswered slightly infuriating. Murry is superb as Don but one wonders how long this style of acting or non-acting can be stretched before audiences become indifferent.
As with previous Jarmusch features, it is the secondary characters that are most successful. Sharon Stone’s trailer trash mother accompanied by jailbait daughter Lolita is inspired and Jeffrey Wright’s detective and Ethiopian jazz obsessed neighbour is a standout.
While intermittently amusing, Broken Flowers does not compare favourably with previous Murry films such as Rushmore and Lost in Translation but will not tarnish his recent movie-making renaissance. -
Most recent members' review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Smelling of Roses!
The beauty of 'Broken Flowers' is that, unusually for Hollywood, it's written and filmed in an understated way.
There are an abundance of small details that provide subtle wit, while at the same time drive the story.
For instance, the fact that in the majority of the movie Bill Murray's character is static, while action takes place all around him, accentuates the fact that he is a character that is on a journey, but ultimately going nowhere.
We experience his search as he does, and from a storytelling point of view - that's essential.
The only part of the movie I felt slightly short-changed on was the ending. But at the same time its refusal to answer the main question in Don (Bill Murray)'s head emphasises the 'meaning' and purpose behind the story.
Well written, directed and acted - it's a cut above most.
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News and features
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Stars shine at 2 Days in Paris premiere
- 08 Aug 2007
Stars turned out this week for the premiere of a forthcoming comedy entitled 2 Days in Paris, which tells the story of a couple desperate to rekindle their romance in the European city. Both of the main characters, played by Julie Delpy and Adam Goldberg, took to the red carpet in Los Angeles and celebrated the movie's debut, while cinema-lovers in the UK can see it from August 31st when it is released here. French actress Julie Delpy also directed 2 Days in Paris, following her work in films... Read more
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