Broken Flowers - What did you think?

[lawyerlee]

Cliff and I saw Broken Flowers yesterday afternoon. I really liked it, but it was definitely one that you keep thinking about and trying to decide what really went on well after it ends. So I was wondering if anyone else has seen it and what your thoughts were about it. :)

[kugrrly]

what is this movie about?? I have not heard about it.

[lawyerlee]

what is this movie about?? I have not heard about it.

http://ebimg.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=EB&Date=20050804&Category=REVIEWS&ArtNo=50722001&Ref=AR&Profile=1023&Maxw=438

This is the imdb.com description:

In the new film from acclaimed writer/director Jim Jarmusch, which won the Grand Prix at this year's Cannes International Film Festival, Bill Murray stars as Don Johnston. The resolutely single Don has just been dumped by his latest lover, Sherry (Julie Delpy). Don yet again resigns himself to being alone and left to his own devices. Instead, he is compelled to reflect on his past when he receives by mail a mysterious pink letter. It is from an anonymous former lover and informs him that he has a 19-year-old son who may now be looking for his father. Don is urged to investigate this "mystery" by his closest friend and neighbor, Winston (Jeffrey Wright), an amateur sleuth and family man. Hesitant to travel at all, Don nonetheless embarks on a cross-country trek in search of clues from four former flames (Frances Conroy, Jessica Lange, Sharon Stone, and Tilda Swinton). Unannounced visits to each of these unique women hold new surprises for Don as he haphazardly confronts both his past and, consequently, his present.

Here is a link to Roger Ebert's review of the film:
Broken Flowers review (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050804/REVIEWS/50722001/1023)

[catch]

I'm dying to see that movie! Love Bill Murray :) I'm hoping to see it this Friday.

[lawyerlee]

I'm dying to see that movie! Love Bill Murray :) I'm hoping to see it this Friday.
Cool! I'll be really interested to hear your thoughts. :)

[PG-rated]

I just saw it last night, and I didn't like it as much as I would've expected. I don't mind open-ended movies in general, but this one was more like the director just waited until there was a break in the dialogue and shut off the camera. I also felt that there was a lot of "dead time" in the movie. I kept comparing it to "Lost in Translation" - I felt that all of the quiet moments in that movie had a real purpose; you were always learning something about the character. Here I kept asking myself, "Why am I watching another two minutes of Bill Murray driving? He's on a solitary journey - I get it already!" I also didn't think Bill Murray's character was very well-developed. He seemed so ill at ease with himself most of the time that I didn't really understand how he had managed to sleep with all of these women over the years.

Maybe I'm not at the director's level or something - critics always seem to love him, even as they label his films "inaccessible." Maybe I'm too mainstream or something. ;)

BTW, I missed the first 5-10 minutes of the movie. Did anything interesting happen? When I got into the theater, Julie Delpy had just finished packing her things.

[sdianems]

I love Bill Murray and was thrilled to read a review of it this past week.....I hadn't seen any previews fot it, so it was a surprise.

I am planning on seeing it soon, hopefully this weekend.
FH is also a big Bill Murray fan, and he says he is up for it, too!

[IUAlum]

Bleh, I was so disappointed.

I agree with PG-rated, the characters were underdeveloped and NO questions were answered. I feel like it's fine to leave some loose strings to get people talking or thinking, but you have to tie up SOMETHING!

Rent it, if at all.

[jeepgirl]

Do yourself a favor and don't even rent it. Whatever value other people have seen in this movie, I obviously did not "think hard enough on" to figure out. Undoubtedly, it was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Just my opinion.

[QT Pie]

I thought his reunions with his ex-girlfriends were hilarious but did not like the way they wrapped up the ending.

[sublime311]

I thought his reunions with his ex-girlfriends were hilarious but did not like the way they wrapped up the ending.
I agree. Those of you who did see and "got it", could you tell the rest of us what it was all about?? I think I'm a fairly intelligent person, but I don't get it. I got all the LOOONG silent moments: Yes, his life is empty. Yes, he's alone. Yes, he's an empty shell of a man. Yes, he's looking for that one thing (his son) that will fill his emptiness. Right!? Who knows!?! :confused: :mad:

[lawyerlee]

I agree. Those of you who did see and "got it", could you tell the rest of us what it was all about?? I think I'm a fairly intelligent person, but I don't get it. I got all the LOOONG silent moments: Yes, his life is empty. Yes, he's alone. Yes, he's an empty shell of a man. Yes, he's looking for that one thing (his son) that will fill his emptiness. Right!? Who knows!?! :confused: :mad:
Yeah, I'd agree with all this, but I'd take it even futher to say that he's alone by choice because he's never been willing to put the effort into his relationships that it takes to actually make one last. So if he's empty and alone, it's because he's chosen to isolate himself.

I think Bill Murray is so funny, and I loved the subtlety of this character. Obviously it's not something for everyone, but I really did enjoy it.