Review: ‘Broken’

Winner of the top prize at the British Independent Film Awards, Broken takes place in a London cul-de-sac where an act of violence sends ripples through the three families who live there.

The story is told through the eyes of a young girl called (for some reason) Skunk. In the opening scene she comes home to witness Rick (the disturbed adult son of the couple from across the way) being savagely beaten by Mr. Oswald, her neighbour. Oswald is father to three foul-mouthed daughters, and it becomes apparent that the attack was provoked when one daughter invented a story about Rick to avoid getting into trouble with her father. As accusations fly between the two families, Skunk’s father tries to mediate for both sides in his softly-spoken way.

The heavier themes here are nicely offset by lighter, almost comedic moments as we watch Skunk deal with the trials of growing up without a mother, starting high-school and receiving her first kiss.

Newcomer Eloise Laurence is a revelation as Skunk.  She is completely believable and never precocious. And it’s nice to see Tim Roth in a softer part after so many roles as a hard man or thug.

The film is based on a novel with a timeframe much larger than the scope of the film. Therefore the ending, where all three families’ stories come to a head on the same night, unfortunately feels a bit contrived and melodramatic. But if you’re able to suspend your disbelief just a little, this is a striking and powerful film.

8.5/10

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