Dir. Felix van Groeningen, Belgium/ Netherlands, 2012, 111 minutes, in Dutch with English subtitles
Cast: Johan Heldenbergh, Veerle Baetens, Nell Cattrysse
Review by Jonathon Hopper
Belgium’s entry into the best film in a foreign language category at the 2014 Oscars, The Broken Circle Breakdown stars Johan Heldenbergh – a Kris Kristofferson look-a-like whose play The Broken Circle Breakdown Featuring the Cover-ups of Alabama has now been adapted to striking effect for the cinema by director Felix van Groeningen (The Misfortunates) and screenwriter Carl Joos.
When bluegrass singer Didier (Heldenbergh) meets tattoo artist Elise (Baetens – Code 37) at one of his own concerts they embark on a passionate relationship. When their carefree existence of music, animals and love-making is threatened by the imminent arrival of a baby, Didier initially feels apprehensive before realizing that the new arrival could enhance their happiness, completing the circle and bringing new meaning to their lives and a further outlet for their love.
When daughter Maybelle (newcomer Cattrysse) is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease however, Didier and Elise must cling to whatever coping mechanisms they can as they try to mend their circle and stop themselves from sliding towards despair and bitter recrimination.
With its non-linear narrative, TBCB is essentially a patchwork quilt of two lives, sewn together by the music they love. It’s a highly effective strategy; the subject matter may sound heavy but when entwined with the tale of the couple’s meeting and early flirtations, shades of light dapple the darkness enabling the film to play funny as well as sad, joyful as well as tragic.
The music helps no end in this too – a series of toe-tapping, head-nodding bluegrass ditties, performed by the cast and woven so tightly into the fabric that it brings to mind the musical accoutrements of O Brother, Where Art Thou? and I Walk the Line. Of course TBCB has to walk its own line between the dramatic and the melodramatic; a divide that the film just about manages to stay on the right side of thanks to some outstanding performances (both leads are terrific, as is Cattrysse whose young character is beset with issues that most of us are fortunate enough to never have faced) and a tightness in the direction that maintains the film’s real edge whilst never straying into the voyeuristic.
A deeply affecting tale that stays with you long after the final credits have ended, the personal yet profound The Broken Circle Breakdown reportedly received a ten minute standing ovation at the Berlin Film Festival before walking off with the Audience Award for fiction. It’s not difficult to see why.
The DVD also includes a theatrical trailer.
The Broken Circle Breakdown is released on DVD on 25 November 2013.
Source:
http://www.close-upfilm.com/2013/11/broken-circle-breakdown-15-dvd-review/
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