Broken

Broken: Past Particle Of Break.

Broken is directed by Rufus Norris and adapted to screenplay by Mark O'Rowe from Daniel Clay's novel. It stars Tim Roth, Eloise Laurence, Robert Emms, Rory Kinnear, Faye Daveney and Cillian Murphy. Music is by Electric Wave Bureau and cinematography by Rob Hardy.

Theatre and Opera director Rufus Norris turns his hand to feature film, choosing for his debut a cunning slice of British miserabilism and knowing humour. Story is based in North London and primarily centres on a young girl affectionately known as Skunk! She witnesses a sickening act of violence in the cul de sac where she lives, from here the lives of the residents unfold in a number of identifiable ways.

Thematically there's much going o...

"Skunk" (Eloise Laurence/Lily James) lives with her dad "Archie" (Tim Roth) and older brother in what can only be described as the suburban cul-de-sac from hell. Indeed, our own introduction to their street sees neighbour "Bob" (Rory Kinnear) beat up "Rick" (Robert Emms) because he thinks this lad is some kind of pervert. As the story unravels, we realise that "Skunk" has a crush on her hunky schoolmaster "Mr. Kiernan" (Cillian Murphy) who in turn has a bit of a crush on "Kasia" (Zan Marjanovic). The toxicity of this small community is further augmented by an odious young bully and just goes to show how much damage lies can do when unchallenged or supported by societal assumptions. The timelines flash about the place a bit, so you need to c...