Bachelor Backward
Broken Flowers
Review Review by Ross Anthony

Here's a quiet, very relaxed (many of you would more likely use the word "slow") picture that is both very intriguing in its manner and often quite funny. But not slapstick Ha-Ha funny. No. Awkward funny.

What the film lacks is a strong climax. Some will even feel it hasn't a climax at all. Certainly, when the screen goes black, you'll be left with a question mark in your brain. And while the emotional build is present, it is quite sublte. Still, the film charms as a series of interactions with Bill Murray. The interactions are a study in awkwardness, and that is quite fun. They're directed very well and Bill Murray shines beneath the skin of his outward indifference. He's become such a fine serious actor -- I'll see anything he does. He's so good straight, we can forget there's a very funny man inside. That comedic timing comes into good use here.

These handful of scenes are punctuated with a fair amount of silence -- long (in duration) shots with no dialgoue. And a lot of camera-on-the-road shots (too many in my humble opinion).

I really enjoyed the peaceful quirky, awkwardness of this production, the fresh originality, daring, and top notch acting of Murray. But, the road shots drag, the poor image quality and drab colors (though probably an artistic choice) distract. Lastly, that ending serves more as a vague artistic statement, than satisfying conclusion.

So, to grade? Somewhere between a B and B+. Round up.

Oh, btw, though she's very good, Sharon Stone has only 3 to 5 minutes of screen time, despite the top billing. If you like this try About Schmidt (which is wonderful). The films have a similar feel.


  • Broken Flowers. Copyright © 2005.
  • Starring Bill Murray, Jeffrey Wright, Sharo Stone, Frances Conroy, Jessica Lange, Tilda Swinton, Julie Delpy.
  • Directed by Jim Jarmusch.
  • Screenplay by Jim Jarmusch.
  • Produced by Jon Kilik, Stacey Smith at Focus/Decca.

Grade..........................B+ (2.5/4)

Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.

chili4 special olympians
power5 ra hforh radiop


Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:19:38 PDT