Foreign Movie
Movie Review: “Broken City”- A Struggle of Performances and Production
This film grapples with issues in both performance and production. While the film attempts to explore a compelling narrative of desperation and moral ambiguity, the shortcomings in acting, production quality, and dialogue hinder its ability to fully captivate the audience.
“Broken City” ventures into the gritty world of economic hardship, crime, and moral ambiguity, weaving a tale of desperation and risky choices. However, the film falls short in some crucial aspects, leaving the audience grappling with subpar performances and production challenges.
This indie film directed by Terry Spears introduces a narrative centered around economic struggles in America and the desperate measures taken by the protagonist, Maya, and her boyfriend, Desmond, to save their family home. The storyline takes a dramatic turn as they resort to robbing affluent homes for financial gain. The introduction of Andy, a dubious character, adds an element of suspense and complexity to the plot. However, the tension escalates when Maya, Desmond, and Andy discover Andy’s darker side during a pivotal heist.
The first thing that strikes the viewer is the quality of acting. Unfortunately, “Broken City” doesn’t deliver the best performances, with several actors seemingly struggling to convey the authenticity needed to sell their characters. Acting is often at the forefront of a film and becomes a noticeable stumbling block, overshadowing the potential strengths of the plot.
Jonathon M. Smith takes on the role of Desmond, the seemingly devoted boyfriend and leader of the group. Smith‘s portrayal comes across as a bit disjointed, with moments where his delivery and line execution appear laboured. While the character aims to be a pillar of support for Maya, Smith‘s performance doesn’t quite capture the depth and nuance required to make Desmond a truly compelling figure. It’s worth noting that Smith shares writing credits with the director.
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Ria Gill who plays Maya, brings a certain grace to the role. As a victim of circumstances, Maya‘s desperation to save her family home and care for her mother is palpable through Gill‘s performance. However, the film’s weak dialogue and lacklustre delivery often hinder the emotional impact of Maya‘s character, preventing the audience from fully connecting with her struggles.
Ronnie Angel, portraying Andy, introduces an element of suspicion from the moment he graces the screen. Despite the attempt to delve into his psyche as the film progresses, Angel‘s performance struggles to bring out the complexity and depth necessary for a character with darker intentions. The disconnect between the actor and the role becomes increasingly apparent as the narrative reaches its climax.
Production-wise, “Broken City” embraces the look and feel of an indie film on a tight budget. While this minimalist approach could be considered an artistic choice it may not be the most effective for a crime drama like this. The lack of cinematic flair, evident in basic cinematography, colour grading, and editing, hampers the film’s ability to fully immerse the audience in its high-stakes narrative. Compared to another film by the same directors, Jovi & Lou (2023), that I’ve watched, the decision to maintain a minimalist aesthetic in “Broken City” doesn’t enhance the narrative as effectively.
The substandard sound production further detracts from the overall viewing experience. Echoey dialogues and ambient sounds expose the film’s struggle with post-production treatment and highlight possible shortcomings in capturing audio in a controlled environment. The film’s saving grace, to some extent, is its prominent soundtrack, which manages to mask some of the sound design lapses.
“Broken City” heavily relies on dialogue to drive the narrative, and herein lies one of its major flaws. The unconvincing nature of the dialogue makes it challenging for the audience to relate to the characters and understand their motivations. As a result, the film falters in building a strong emotional connection between the viewers and the unfolding story.
This film grapples with issues in both performance and production. While the film attempts to explore a compelling narrative of desperation and moral ambiguity, the shortcomings in acting, production quality, and dialogue hinder its ability to fully captivate the audience.
I will score it 5/10.
Despite its flaws, the film may find some redemption among viewers who appreciate indie aesthetics and can overlook these technical shortcomings. “Broken City” will be available for streaming on Amazon and Tubi soon.
Broken City (2023) Official Trailer from Terry Spears on Vimeo.
