Broken

  • 15
  • Rufus Norris (2012)
  • UK
  • 90 min
Film Review
Reviewed By
4 out of 5

This modest but often very moving British film marks the feature debut of theatre director Rufus Norris. Newcomer Eloise Laurence stars as Skunk, an 11-year-old girl living in a suburban cul-de-sac with her single father (Tim Roth), older brother (Bill Milner) and their au pair (Zana Marjanovic). Skunk's life is normal and, except for her diabetes, uncomplicated, until her upstart teenage neighbours the Oswalds declare war on a young, emotionally damaged man (Robert Emms) who lives opposite. A vicious lie gets out of hand, kick-starting a chain of events that results in violence and murder. It's based on a novel that itself was inspired by To Kill a Mockingbird, but though it has the elements of lurid melodrama, it is the quiet moments that define Norris's atmospheric and elegant film, making for an unusual coming-of-age story set against the disconnect of today's "broken" Britain. Laurence in particular is dynamic as Norris's young muse, a guileless screen presence who effortlessly charms us back to childhood.

Cast and crew

Cast

Archie
Tim Roth
Mike Kiernan
Cillian Murphy
Bob Oswald
Rory Kinnear
Skunk
Eloise Laurence
Rick Buckley
Robert Emms
Kasia
Zana Marjanovic
Jed
Bill Milner
Mr Buckley
Denis Lawson

Crew

Director
Rufus Norris

Other Information

Language: 
English
Colour
Theatrical distributor: 
Studio Canal
Guidance: 
Violence, swearing, sexual references, a sex scene, nudity, drug abuse.
Released 8 Mar 2013

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