Broken English

The movie "Broken English" from 2007 is a romantic drama directed by Zoe Cassavetes, starring Parker Posey, Melvil Poupaud, and Gena Rowlands. The plot centers around Nora Wilder (Posey), a woman in her thirties who is struggling with loneliness and disillusionment in her love life. She works at an upscale hotel in New York City, where she encounters a Frenchman named Julien (Poupaud) who is in town for a business trip. The two begin a romantic relationship, but things become complicated when Julien returns to Paris and Nora is left to grapple with her feelings and decide whether or not to pursue him.

The film explores themes of loneliness, communication, and human connection. Nora's character is relatable in her struggles with finding love and companionship, and Posey delivers a nuanced performance that captures the frustration and vulnerability of her situation. Poupaud also shines as Julien, bringing a charm and sophistication to his role that makes it easy to understand why Nora is so drawn to him.

While the romantic storyline is the main focus of the film, there are also other supporting characters that add depth and complexity to the story. Gena Rowlands delivers a powerful performance as Nora's mother, who is grappling with her own marriage problems and offers Nora tough love and advice throughout the film. Other supporting characters include Nora's co-workers at the hotel and her best friend Audrey (Drea de Matteo), who provides a refreshing contrast to Nora's emotional turmoil with her own carefree attitude towards life.

One of the film's strengths is its portrayal of New York City as a backdrop to Nora's story. The city is depicted as a bustling and vibrant metropolis, but also one that can be lonely and isolating. Nora is often seen walking the streets alone, reflecting on her life and struggling to find her place in the world. The cinematography is also notable for its use of close-ups and intimate shots that bring the audience into Nora's world and allow us to experience her emotions more deeply.

Another notable aspect of the movie is its exploration of language and communication. As the title suggests, much of the dialogue in the film is in broken English, with Nora struggling to communicate with the French-speaking Julien and his colleagues. This language barrier adds an additional layer of complexity to their relationship and highlights the difficulties that people face in trying to connect with each other across cultural and linguistic divides.

Overall, "Broken English" is a thoughtful and engaging film that explores love, loneliness, and the human desire for connection. The strong performances by the cast, the beautiful cinematography, and the relatable story make it a film that is easy to become emotionally invested in. Fans of romantic dramas will appreciate the nuanced portrayal of Nora's struggle to find love and meaning in her life, and the film's exploration of language and communication adds an interesting and unique dimension to the story.