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Broken Flowers (DVD, 2005)
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Being a fan of Bill Murray's long list of cinematic accomplishments it is only natural that I be attracted to a film that allows him to deviate from his historical roles that made him a household name. Now, being a devote believer in the phrase "If it ain't broke, don't fix it.", I am not against innovation or people trying new things. Many wrote off Murray the minute he tried "serious", and to a point I can see their revulse. To summarize what Dolph Lundgren once said, "If you do something and you do it well, there is no need to change that." That said, Bill Murray knocks it out of the park and puts the skeptics in their place. He's proven he's a very solid actor, he is capable of depth, and I have no doubt he can carry any type of film he graces. Bill just needs a film more solid and less mundane than "Broken Flowers" to showcase that. "Broken Flowers" is nearly as depressing as its title. Don Johnston (with a T) is a certified "ladies man", not quite retired despite his age, who recieves an anonymous letter stating he has a 19 year old son searching for his dad. In search of deeper meaning or character development that just doesn't amount to anything, Don sets off on a cross country trip to reunite with his old flames and see who sent the letter. On paper this sounds like the kind of plot device that could leave plenty of room for odd characters, memorable mishaps, fun dialogue, and an ultimate feel good story. It has none. "Broken Flowers" is not terribly funny nor terribly dramatic. It has bits here and there, some modestly humorous lines pop up, and a couple of saddening scenes thanks to Murray, but as a whole this mess of a film just seems to trudge along. To say it trudges without meaning is unfair, to say it trudges to a dull grave is legit. The story does not satisfy, and the journey the viewer has endured is moot. No character comes out stronger, no morals are established or corrected...it all feels aimless. As with many "indie" or "avant garde" films they attempt to defy status quo so much they forget that the point of a film is first to entertain, and if not, tell a story that concludes or solves a moral dilemna for the characters. If we endure a 100 minute story of depression and awkward situations, and at the end we are back to square one having endures these uncomfortable scenes with no betterment of the character then what's the point? I really can't recomend "Broken Flowers". Bill Murray shines, but it really is a depressing tale at the end of the day. Nothing is gained, and it's one of those few films I can easily say I wish I hadn't seen, and not because it was a poor film but because I feel genuine depression. Maybe the intent was to play on reality, that in this absurd situation realistically no conclusion would exist, but why make a story of that? I guess I just don't "get it"? But I do "get" dullness, and slow abstract junk, when I see it. Avoid unless Murray's break type role is nagging at your soul.Read full review
Aside from a few good performances--Jessica Lange's in particular--this film is insufferable. It is one of those stories whose creators seem to be saying to the world "Look how deep I am!" Here we have the story of a zombie-like man (Bill Murray) who receives an anonymous letter from a previous lover who claims to have borne him a son. This man's friend, a detective novelist by trade, is so intrigued by the situation that he plans a whole travel itinerary whereby the Murray character can visit the four possible candidates and solve the mystery. Each of these women is a different experiment in crazy. Ultimately he does not discover the identity of the child's mother and actually is not certain that the letter was ever legitimate in the first place--perhaps just a hoax concocted by his novelist-friend or perhaps by his current girlfriend, who is distraught as a result of her inability to convince him to marry her. So the ending is a big question mark. In a word, this film is anti-climactic. It takes the basic narrative formula and essentially does away with the denouement. I suppose "Broken Flowers" is a fitting title. Come to think of it, that may be the most positive comment I can make about this dog. If you're a fan of self-conscious, drably atmospheric "art" films, you might give it a go. Otherwise, save your money.Read full review
I had high hopes for this movie. Alas it was a wasted sentiment. It started off very s-l-o-w. It had a great premise. An aging Don Juan gets a mysterious letter saying he has a son....and he may be looking for him. So off he goes on a journey. But...can Murray possibly have more of a complete stone face? His complete and total lack of any emotion was appalling. I kept waiting for this charming, charismatic man who seduced woman after woman to pop out. Nope. I thought this was a comedy/drama? No comedy. No drama. In fact everyone in this movie acted with such stilted restraint in this movie it was painful. Very unrealistic. People do not act this way.... The conversations and time spent with each woman he once had a "relationship" or one night stand (we never know as they never once talk about anything much) are boring and again unrealistic. If someone I had not seen in 20 years showed up, I think I might have a couple questions, some animation. Either it be anger or surprise. One other thing about this movie. It feels claustrophobic. Tight. Constricted. Scenes drag on forever. Shot of him sitting on his couch staring 2 min. Shots of him driving down the road (many of those) with horrendous jazz playing...dragging on for a minute. Just constant boring listless shots. It got to the point if I knew what he was going to do next- say go over to his neighbors house- I would fast forward...knowing it would be a boring drawn out walk over there. I never FF through movies, this one demanded it. This really is a horrible movie. I wasted over 2 hours on this only to have the end....be a total dud. Bleck.Read full review
i watched this movie because the box said it was a "romantic comedy" and that appealed to me... there is NOTHING funny about this movie!! nor is it romantic... i dont know what to call it, if i call it a comedy i think the only joke is me wasting time to watch it, if i call it a drama then its extreamly bland, and if i call it a romance then its seriously lacking. this is a movie about a guy who gets an annonomous pink letter from an ex advising him that he has a 19yr son she never told him about because they broke up and she just wants to warn him that the son is looking for his father .... so he tracks down his exes from that period to visit and see if he can figure out which one wrote the letter.... the main character is supposed to be in a very meloncholy mood and they make the WHOLE movie feel that way so that the viewer feels that way too .... the movie has no closure in the end .... i think it may have been someones desperate attempt to be 'deep' and either they did a bad job at it or it went over my head .... the only thing i got out of the movie is that now the character will look at every young man he sees and wonder "is that my son", i suppose the message is to be careful of what you do today as it will have an impact on ur future, but the its definatly not worth the totrure of watching this movie to learn that!!!! if you must watch it i recommend renting it but its noth worth the $20 to buy!!Read full review
Bill Murray has created a great new career after Lost in Translation. He really is a great actor. He can display lots of emotions, and emote intensely without saying a word. He's become something of a "technique actor" without really trying. He's great to watch. This movie wastes his talent, and the excellent ladies supporting him, too. A movie should have an arc - a beginning, climax and ending. It has one but not the other two. Really, if you want to watch a great Bill Murray flick, stick with GroundHog day! -dan
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