What a waste of my time!!!

ridiculous rating

Just perfect...

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Broken Bridges is a film that comes billed and equipped with three specific agendas; to be an openly patriotic film, to boast and share its Christian beliefs, and a film to try and serve as a wholesome parable for Americans facing similar issues. All three agendas are fine by me, if they were taken seriously and made competently into a watchable film, but this is a depressingly mundane trudge through the genre I call "American cinema," one of the weakest genres thus far in film. You may have come across a film or two in this genre; they're films that seemingly exist in their own dull world with dull characters and stiff dialog. At least that's how I've seen them. Another example would include Seven Days in Utopia, a film I regarded as a huge missed opportunity not long ago, but after seeing Broken Bridges, I recall that film as a breath of cleaner, fresher air.All the hell begins with the ham-fisted, morally devout, incredibly obnoxious story that spells out things so incredulous and far-fetched they are cringe worthy. Bo Price is a hack country singer (he's played by Toby Keith, so try and believe that) who once had a fling with a Miami news reporter named Angela Delton (Kelly Preston), which resulted in a pregnancy. After that, Bo fled responsibility and stuck Angela with a newborn baby girl. Sixteen years later, after a helicopter crash in the military kills Bo's brother and Angela's brother, when they fly back home for the funerals, they are unexpectedly reunited with one another and contention flies.The movie's main goal is to show how Bo begins to connect with the child he unexpectedly father named Dixie (Lindsey Haun), who has gone on to be a rather unremarkable teenager, who just so happens to have a heavenly voice. What it fails at is generating any fulfilling substance to these bland, unsatisfying, uninteresting archetypes.Broken Bridges is directly aimed at the crowd who crave films with relatable characters, country music, traditional living, characters "paying dues," and age-old values where there's a heavy dependence on morality and spirituality; I have no problem with any of those things. I was reminded of how surprisingly pleased I was with the Kendrick brothers' film Courageous, which offers the same sort of material, surrounding four policemen with complex homelifes who need to prioritize their jobs and their families. The film had a smooth, if heavy-handed script, seriously complex issues taken believably, and well-developed characters portrayed by capable actors. With this picture, all that is trade for wooden acting, contrived plot-points, tedious fighting between characters, an exhausted concept, and a seriously lazy setup punctuated by some decent but forgettable musical numbers, both solo performances and duets. Arguably the best scene in the film is when Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, and BeBe Winans get on stage to perform "Uncloudy Day," an engaging ballad. Sadly, it's brief and one of two blink-and-you-miss-it cameos for Willie Nelson.On a final note, take one more look at the title an I'll be damned if you can't guess its meaning. The title represents how our protagonist must make amends with those he has hurt and repair connections, hence the metaphoric "broken bridge." The title is about as convincing and as original as the material the film provides.Starring: Toby Keith, Kelly Preston, Lauren Haun, Burt Reynolds, and Willie Nelson. Directed by: Steven Goldmann.

If you're a fan of Mystery Science Theater 3K, Attack of the Giant Leeches, or Pinata Survival Island, this movie might be for you.I live in Nashville and I didn't even know of this movie's existence until the day prior to its release, when the advertising company panicked and blanketed Music Row with dozens of fliers and billboards. It barely lasted two weeks in theaters anyway.Bad acting, bad writing, and poor production only begin to describe this embarrassment of a film. For starters, the names are a bit much: Bo Price, Angel, and Dixie? Eesh.Toby's awkwardly slow delivery of lines makes one wonder what production assistant got stuck holding the cue cards off camera. Angel's character rapidly transitions from her city-slicker ways to a cowgirl, slipping into southern slang after two days on the ranch. Her wardrobe goes from chic to a female version of Toby's--in fact, in the final scene, their outfits are identical, making one wonder if the wardrobe assistant called in sick.The audio is inconsistent - perhaps the most noticeable example is when Toby decides to go for a swim and his voice suddenly sounds like he's shouting in a gymnasium.There's never quite enough explanation or character development to suffice what happens on-screen. Overacting, exasperation, grimaces, and moodiness best describes the actors' interpretation and direction of the terrible script.This movie is best enjoyed after consuming a couple of alcoholic beverages and in the company of your wittiest friends. But that's not saying much.

The movie has rich characters, a good story, and is very well paced. Many times when a movie has great music it is to hide a dull script, not here, this music simply makes it a must see!Excellent character portrayal by Tobey Keith, Kelly Preston, and Lindsey Haun, who is a show stealer. Tess Harper is always just a joy to watch in almost anything she does and she doesn't disappoint here. The story follows Bo Price (Toby Keith,) a Country Singer, on his way down, who is called home when his brother, and 4 other boys from his hometown are killed in a training exercise in the Army. One of the boys is the brother of Bo's high school sweetheart, Angela (Kelly Preston) who was pregnant when he ran out on her. The funerals in the hometown bring the long lost lovers together and introduce father, Bo, to his daughter Dixie (Lindsey Haun), who is also a musician. Their stories are interesting and believable. Entertaining and love the music.

Fair to maudlin is country singer Toby Keith's first film. Former high school sweethearts, Bo Price(Keith), a fading country music singer, and Angela Denton(Kelly Preston), a television reporter, return to their small hometown after the deaths of their younger brothers in a military training exercise. Bo and Angela have to deal with the past and the future. The out-of-the-spotlight Price meets his 16-year old daughter Dixie(Lindsey Haun), who is a musician herself...a rock musician. Angela has to deal with her father(Burt Reynolds), who has been out of sorts with her since she left home pregnant. Her mother(Tess Harper)tries to mediate a truce before having a minor stroke. Bo calls on his friends Willie Nelson and BeBe Winans to sing at the memorial service for the five hometown lost soldiers. Dixie is also asked to sing her own song "Broken" and it melts hearts. The future no longer seems so bleak. Also in the movie are: Katie Finneran, Anna Maria, Josh Henderson and Steve Coulter.