Monday, February 3, 2014

BROKEN – Let The Child Live (2013)





 
CAST – Nse Ikpe Etim, Kalu Ikeagwu, Bimbo Manuel, Chucks Chyke, Iyke Adiele, Tehila Adiele.

DIRECTOR – Bright Obasi Wonder

GENRE – Drama

Broken is the story of a pair of ex lovers  Miriam and Gabriel, who had three children while they were in their youth. Being irresponsible at the time, Eric, Samuel and Emmanuella faced abandonment. Years later, Gabriel and Miriam get married to different people and are living peacefully. Out of the blues, Samuel and Emmanuella show up at Miriam’s home. Their arrival opens  wounds, and many secrets start to unfold. This abandonment leaves Eric on death row, Emmanuella in an Asylum, and Samuel a nobody in the society. How will Gabriel and Miriam face this BLAST FROM THE PAST?.......

Every movie, be it good or bad, is subject to some form of constructive criticism. Now this movie, Broken, is a multi award winning movie. The plot is intense, informative and very emotional. People who have “Tough” hearts might face a turn around after watching this movie.

Now this emotional movie tells a story which actually happens in reality. Everyday in Nigeria, children are being abandoned, abused and subjected to some form of violence. some parents do this due to circumstances or just sheer selfishness and stupidity. Be that as it may, this movie has lots of positives and negatives simultaneously.

Starting with the positives, Broken is a movie with lots of new faces. This is probably a conscious risk taken by the Producers of the film. Funny enough, these actors know the onions of their job description. Where there was need for tears, they gave tears. Where there was need for laughter, they gave laughter. Knowing fully well that the movie is an emotional drama, they gave 100% of their emotions. They also didn’t look directly into the camera while delivering their lines. This in itself is extremely impressive.

Miriam’s family was seemingly an average one. This was clearly shown in the location of the House being used. Locations weren’t exaggerated and every spot used matched the activities taking place in the scene.

Regarding the costume used, every clothing item used either by the parents, children, prisoner, etc. was totally in sync with the story being told. For instance, scenes shot at home on a normal day had the ladies wearing flip flops and normal clothing. In some movies I have seen, you’ll find people wearing heels and painting their faces like they’re going for an occasion mean while, the scene being shot is portraying an ordinary day.

Camera movements and angles were top notch. Where there was need to lay emphasis on a particular thing or person, adequate shots were taken. The camera wasn’t moving like an epileptic person caught in a cross fire between cops and thieves. In all, shots, angles, movements in general were impressive.

Talking about Sound track and Background music, both were in sync with the story being told. Slow thought provoking instrumentals were used to stir up emotion and strong ‘’Ghen Ghen” instrumentals were used as well to lay emphasis on some action scenes or statements being made.

Now this is the part where the bitter truth is told. In as much as there are a lot of positive sides to the movie Broken, to create a balance, the bad guys come out to play.

I pay close attention to detail so in the scene at the beginning  where some lunatics were shown, they had their hairs nicely done. In reality, people who have mental issues will not, I repeat NOT have the patience to sit and get their hair done. That’s an ‘oops’ moment right there.

There are points in the movie where conversations are taking place but the background music overshadows whatever it is the characters are saying or trying to say. And at some point there was no sound at all. I’m hoping it’s only evident in the DVD I own.

There were a few grammatical errors too. This is what the average Nigerian youth calls ‘’Gbagaun’’. Thank God they are very few and quite unnoticeable. But people who have error detectors implanted somewhere might not miss it.

BROKEN, is a must see movie for every individual and family as the case may be. Big ups to the Writer/Director Mr. Bright Obasi Wonder.  The movie has A LOT of valuable messages that can help in shaping lives, mending broken homes and making our dear country Nigeria a better place. So if you haven’t seen the movie, it is out on DVD for just 500Naira. Grab a copy and slip it into your DVD Player so that your family can get informed and enjoy top notch story telling at the same time.
 
PS: Happy New Year everyone... This is my first post this year.... I'm working on some exciting stuff so watch this space. *hugs*

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