jankris Amazing drama movie. Top-notch acting and songs makes it even more beautiful. Different religious beliefs of the parents perfectly shown on the movie. Beautiful cinematography. Despite its (comparatively)avarage parts, the last scene where you see Elise(alabama) made tattoo of her husband's name even though she wants to be death and part of her hates him, was one of the most touching ending that i have ever seen. For Drama lovers i totally recommend.

Ebrahim Karam The movie is beautifully done. Every emotion comes naturally nothing is forced. You appreciate the subtle script lines. There is enough conflict, passion, and love for you to move with the characters through the plot. *******************************************Spoiler****************** **********The ending is not your conventional love story ending. However, it is original and authentic. I will not guarantee that you will love it but you will be moved one way or another. The tragedy builds up the character and eventually the plot. Action is character. *******************************************Spoiler****************** ********** It will make you appreciate BlueGrass Music. It is quite underrated for how powerful the movie is. It's a movie that progresses without any of the characters saying "I love you". It's spoken in action and stares. Action is character. For every fallout they have in words there actions are always 'speaking their true intentions'The title is The broken Circle Breakdown which sounds redundant but it describes the movies chronological order. We cycle through the events. We go back then forward then back. The cycle is broken until it breaks down. If you let it be, this movie could redefine your enjoyment for the subtle things

eddie_baggins Uniquely combining bluegrass music classics, family drama and relationship studies into one Belgian infused heavy hitter, Felix van Groeningen's Oscar nominated The Broken Circle Breakdown isn't by any means an easy watch but it's a film that offers up many moments of joy, many moments of heartache and features some outstanding acting turns and musical renditions in a familiar like tale that would be nigh on impossible not to respect.Groeningen delivers his film in a way that may be off-putting to some and it's right to say that at times his structure of flashbacks, flash-forwards and present time scenes combine to create a somewhat disjointed feel to proceedings that weaken emotional ties to what is occurring due to a lack of audience engagement, but when Groeningen nails his scenes, there a sight to behold. Scenes centred around couple Didier and Elise and there young daughter Maybelle are fantastically well played, Didier and Elise's bands musically staged scenes are often highly entertaining and at one pivotal stage moment, incredibly moving and interplay between actors Johan Heldenbergh and Veerle Baetens delivers some of the best one/two double acts by male and female actors of recent memories.Creating a couple that throughout remains empathetic, relatable and likable, leads Baetens and Heldenbergh (who also co-wrote the screenplay) are wholeheartedly in tune with their characters and their ability to not only act but to sing is an incredibly feat of acting. Both Baetens and Heldenbergh are tasked with many a varied range of emotions, from lofty heights to lowly lows and whether it's at the peak of happiness or the despair of unhappiness, Elise and Didier feel real thanks to these two actors. Didier and Elise's love story in many ways reminds one of Blue Valentine, an intimate and raw love that overtime has been torn at by the harsh twists of life and the structure to Broken Circle Breakdown does feel reminiscent of Derek Cianfrance's tale as previously mentioned in its flash forwards, flashbacks and present day scenes.An occasionally joyous, often sombre and sometimes beautifully moving, The Broken Circle Breakdown absolutely deserved the critical and award plaudits it received the world over thanks to its fine movie making, high calibre acting and perfectly constructed soundtrack. A tale not to uplift but to in its unique way inspire, this is a film all lovers of classy dramas, world cinema and connoisseurs of toe tapping bluegrass should track down at the next available opportunity.4 and a half terandas out of 5 For more movie reviews and opinions check out - www.jordanandeddie.wordpress.com

SnoopyStyle It starts in June 2006 Ghent, Belgium. Elise Vandevelde (Veerle Baetens) and Didier Bontinck (Johan Heldenbergh) have little daughter named Maybelle suffering from deadly cancer. Seven years previously, they start a relationship. She has lots of tattoos and a tattoo studio. He loves American bluegrass and plays the banjo in a bluegrass band. The audience watches the relationship develop as it goes back and forth between the two time periods. Then it is rocked to its core.I see that some people object to the turn with him railing against US stem cell politics and religion. I'm not a fanatic against controversial subject matter but I understand other people's objection. Others may also be thrown off by the sharp turn of subject matter. Personally, I saw it as the anger stage in his grief. His rants are just his uncontrolled anger. The only thing that truly caused me problem was the 9-11 on the TV. It's been done before and only gave people who are offended by the later anti-Bush rants a place to cling to. They should have cut out those 2 seconds.It's a roller coaster of emotions as tragedy strikes the family and also the nature of the back and forth structure. The leads have a compelling chemistry. He's got his beard and she's got her tats. I think they could have more screen time with the kid. This is an interesting European film about lost and relationship. It's a little film that's worth watching.