Bittersweet like Belgian chocolate, this is a coming-home movie. It will leave you raw and empty as well as full of life, and it will most certainly have you appreciate the mournfulness of bluegrass music. Based on a play co-written by Johan Heldenbergh, who also stars as Didier, the male lead, this is intricately written, thoughtfully directed, viscerally acted cinema. Bluegrass enthusiast and band leader Didier falls passionately in love with Elise, a spirited tattoo artist. They sing together, start a life together. But when their little girl falls gravely ill, everything changes. Because this gem of a film by director Felix van Groeningen excels at creating intimacy and empathy between us viewers and this beautiful family’s fate, you will feel everything you see. Incredibly well-made and gut-wrenching drama.
"For any viewer who, for one reason or another, has been shamefully ignorant of Belgian bluegrass, here is your opportunity to make amends."
— Anthony Lane
"Touching if not always coherent, The Broken Circle Breakdown is a strange film but one worth watching."
— Jonathan Robbins
The loss of their young daughter threatens to destroy the love and faith of two married musicians.
Oscars
1 nomination
Venice
1 nomination
Berlin
4 wins
European Film Awards
1 win, 5 nominations
César Awards
1 win
This was amazing. I loved how the movie was cut and put together, the collage of the scenes is extremely well thought-through.
I just watched this movie and am left dumbfounded. It cuts through to unfathomable depths and reaches fantastic emotional currents in a manner that is llustrative of the human condition as it is evocative of reflection on humanity’s greatest existential questions. Not for the faint of heart, this portrayal is illuminating as it is strikingly bewildering, in a most sensible fashion.
I just watched this movie and am left dumbfounded. It cuts through to unfathomable depths and reaches fantastic emotional currents in a manner that is llustrative of the human condition as it is evocative of reflection on humanity’s greatest existential questions. Not for the faint of heart, this portrayal is illuminating as it is strikingly bewildering, in a most sensible fashion.
Having watched 100 + movies from the site, this was the most disappointing. Yes the Music is great, Im not sure the acting, script or story line are very strong . Its very melodramatic and I feel like they are just trying to make you emotional but for no reason…to what end? Its not a bad movie but compared to everything else on this site its weak