To me, this movie is perfection.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

The British independent film "Broken" broke through in the UK in 2012 with a quite a splash, winning a number of awards. The film however has sort of flown under the radar as it wasn't released in the US until last Summer by Film Movement. Its the dramatic coming of age story of an 11 year old girl affectionately named Skunk. She is played by first time actor Eloise Laurence, who gives a remarkably real and thoughtful performance. This is also the first feature film for director Rufus Norris.Skunk lives within a cul-de-sac in suburban London with her Dad Archie, played by Tim Roth, and older brother Jed. Her mother ran off with another man years back. They have a live in nanny, Kasia, who serves as a sort of mother or big sister figure. Cillian Murphy also puts forth a strong performance as Mike, Kasia's boyfriend and Skunk's crush. The stories of the three families within the cul-de-sac are all compelling and well integrated into Skunk's world. We open with Skunk talking to Rick, an older friend but mentally unstable neighbor, who out of nowhere get a savage beating from Mr. Oswald, the fiery father of a trio of foul mouthed daughters who are also without a mother.Adding to the many difficulties of adolescence, Skunk also has diabetes. She could be bitter and angry about her situation, but is very resilient and strong. She is adventurous, inquisitive and full of wonder, where as the girls next door are petty, vile, and just plain unpleasant. The two families are dealing with similar issue in very different ways. While the third family, Rick's Family, tries to keep to themselves and protect there son from the world. Rick is a volatile man child. He has a gentle and sweet exterior that fights with his inner rage and turmoil. After becoming to much of a handful for his parents to deal with he is put up in a hospital. Skunk see the good in him, the longing to be normal and accepted. The final 30 minutes will keep you on the edge of your seat with a an intensity that is hard to find. I know that sound a little clichéd, but the filmmakers took such care in developing the story and building its characters that the ending just works on every level. You won't be disappointed.

There is something so heartbreaking about viewing the world through eyes of an 11-year old. Pure, curious desire to absorb and deeply inhale life, and the world of jaded, self-centered adults. The is not a story about projects, or, how the British call them, estates. This is ordinary, unimaginative suburbia, one of those places where people politely nod at each other, without any interest in neighbors. And here it comes, violence and family dysfunction to top all dysfunctions. The secure, civilized world of these regular people is in real danger. The ever so thin veneer of ordered society gets scratched and the hell breaks loose. Strong, like a punch in a gut movie, hard but necessary.

Don't be scared. I just want your goodness."Broken". I'm not sure yet what covers this title. Is it the broken relationships and mutual relations between the families living in this cul-de-sac. Is it about the fragile health of Skunk or the fragile state of mind of Rick. Or is it about the few broken noses that the hotheaded neighbor Bob hands out. From the first minute in this sad story, I was taken on a trip through several petty depressive states. Yes, you won't have "happy" feelings after watching this movie. However, the end is a godsend and a gorgeous display of hope.Every household has his cross to bear. In this dead end street they had end-of-season sales of heavy crosses. Let us hope that this is not a matter of course in most districts. First there's Skunk, whose mother left for some accountant, and her family. She lives with her ​​father Archie (Superb acting by Tim Roth),her brother and their housekeeper under one roof . The housekeeper has an on-off relationship with a teacher who is full of doubts about the future of their relationship. Skunk also has diabetes that she follows meticulously. Opposite lives the Buckley family. An older couple with the mentally disabled son Rick. A friendly guy who, as you'll notice later, has a dark incalculable side. And then there is the aggressive and violent Mr. Oswald and his three teenage daughters. Bob Oswald's wife is deceased and the education of his three daughters is his greatest concern . However the morbid concern about the welfare of his daughters is the cause of the improper conduct of the 3 annoying buggers.Essentially, these three families have nothing in common and they show no affinity for each other (except Skunk vs. Rick), and yet their life paths will be intertwined in a drastic way which will lead to the resulting conflicts. The whole situation escalates because of one simple lie. A lie to cover up the truth and to prevent facing some measures. A lie that has disastrous consequences and brings the relationships even more to falter. Skunk her cheerful and carefree life collapses after witnessing an aggressive assault on the introvert and unworldly Rick. It's the beginning of a spiral of sequential disturbing events."Broken" is a gripping social drama and a depressing situation report. This shows once again that British dramas can be of a high level. The debut of Eloise Laurence as the vulnerable Skunk doesn't go unnoticed. A beautiful rendition that testifies a youthful spontaneity and empathy. The range of emotions that she has to show is not obvious , and yet she knows how to interpret it. I 'm not easily impressed by certain actors , but this was a brilliant performance .Tim Roth is a respected actor and known from the TV series "Lie to Me". However, I'm not a avid fan of TV shows . But his appearances in "Pulp Fiction" and "Reservoir Dogs" are well known to me. Roth has a kind of soothing, calm charisma. Sometimes he reminds me of a light version of James Bond with identical expressions like Steve Carell. That confident look and cool probing observation. An icy dispassionate attitude until that moment at the hospital sitting next to Skunk's bed and telling his dream again in an emotional way. Masterfully portrayed.I couldn't really find any faults when it's about the rest of the cast. Beautiful renditions piece by piece. The three pubescent teenage girls were playing in such a convincing way that you would consider to step up to those three brutal little twerps and put them in their place. Robert Emms should also be mentioned for his irresistible and not obvious rendition of Rick, the mentally handicapped neighbor. The impressive pity arousing beginning, the tormented and helpless attitude during his psychiatric confinement and the destructive frenzy at the end. All these aspects are brilliantly handled by him.Filmic it also looks worked out nicely by Rufus Norris. The sometimes straightforward images with that typical British tone and style that you can find in acclaimed British series like "EastEnders". The recurring flashbacks and dreamlike visions of the future are mixed with the daily harsh reality. Ultimately, the core of the film is scarier than any slasher or horror film. An impressive social story with a theatrical and, thank goodness, a positive ending.More reviews at http://opinion-as-a-moviefreak.blogspot.be/

The only reason I gave this movie any stars is for the cinematography. This movie is shot on 35mm film and looks very amazing expect for a few poorly framed shots. As for the tone of this film, it is very grey, highly depressing and frustrating. It took half the movie to determine everyone's relationship to each other. The three red headed trashy girl's and their crazy dad really annoyed me. Tasteless characters for a tasteless story I suppose. Every time those red headed monsters where on screen it gave me a crummy feeling in my gut. Not the type of feeling I respect. I felt like their was a lot of wasted talent on this film. And sometimes it seemed like a few scenes could have used another take that was possibly not done due to the budget on film stock.My final piece of criticism is the title, "Broken". It lacks a direct connection to the story and comes off as a generic last minute idea. Why not "Smashed" or "Damaged" or "Disassembled"? They all are just as generic as Broken. "It's called Broken, because everyone is broken and their faces get broken." Really? is that the best you can do? Good music. Random editing. This movie makes me happy I'm Canadian.