Broken English (2007)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Zoe R. Cassavetes

Writer:

Zoe R. Cassavetes (writer)

Release Date:

19 July 2007 (Singapore)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

Nora Wilder is freaking out. Everyone around her is in a relationship, is married, or has children. Nora is in her thirties...

Plot Keywords:

Frenchman | Friend | Love | Best Friend | Bathtub

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Parker Posey	...	Nora Wilder
Drea de Matteo	...	Audrey Andrews
Tim Guinee	...	Mark Andrews
Gena Rowlands	...	Vivien Wilder-Mann
Peter Bogdanovich	...	Irving Mann
Roy Thinnes	...	Peter Andrews
Michael Panes	...	Glen
Justin Theroux	...	Nick Gable
Philip Pavel	...	Front Desk Worker
Melvil Poupaud	...	Julien
Dana Ivey	...	Elinor Gregory
William Wise	...	William Gregory
Josh Hamilton	...	Charlie Ross
Caitlin Keats	...	Jennifer Ross
Russell Steinberg	...	Carl (as Russel Steinberg)
Santo Fazio	...	Bobbi
Michael Kelly	...	Guy
Jonathan Castro	...	Little Boy in the Park
John Wernke	...	Steve
James McCaffrey	...	Perry
Phyllis Somerville	...	Psychic
Laurent Pons	...	French Taxi Driver
Bernadette Lafont	...	Madame Grenelle
Thierry Hancisse	...	Mr. Larson
Yarol Poupaud	...	Guillaume
Sebastien Chenut	...	Sebastien
Karim Gassama	...	Kareem
Jean-Paul Scarpitta	...	Jean Paul Clement
Maud Geffray	...	Waitress
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Christopher Stadulis	...	Bar patron (uncredited)

Directed by
Zoe R. Cassavetes		(as Zoe Cassavetes)

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Zoe R. Cassavetes		writer (as Zoe Cassavetes)

Produced by
Olivier Aknin	....	co-executive producer
Jean-Baptiste Babin	....	co-executive producer
Mark Cuban	....	executive producer
Andrew Fierberg	....	producer
Jennifer Halpern	....	line producer
Linus Hume	....	line producer
David Atlan Jackson	....	co-executive producer
Jason Kliot	....	producer
Keisuke Konishi	....	co-producer
Steven Shainberg	....	co-executive producer
Joel Thibout	....	co-executive producer
Joana Vicente	....	producer
Todd Wagner	....	executive producer
Christina Weiss Lurie	....	co-executive producer

Original Music by
Scratch Massive		(music score)

Cinematography by
John Pirozzi		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Andrew Weisblum

Casting by
Adrienne Stern

Production Design by
Happy Massee

Art Direction by
Selina van den Brink		(co-art director)
Peter Zumba		(co-art director) (as Pete Zumba)

Set Decoration by
Selina van den Brink

Costume Design by
Stacey Battat

Makeup Department
Brian Abbott	....	key makeup artist
Giovanni Giuntoli	....	makeup artist: second unit, New York
Ildiko Juhasz	....	additional makeup artist (as Ildiko Juhaez)
Theodora Katsoulogiannakis	....	key hair stylist
Roxanne Rizzo	....	additional makeup artist
Christal Schanes	....	additional hair stylist
Nathalie Tabareau	....	hair stylist: Paris (as Natali Tabareau-Vieuille)
Nathalie Tabareau	....	makeup artist: Paris (as Natali Tabareau-Vieuille)

Production Management
Perrine Coulogner	....	production manager: second unit, Paris (as Perrine Coulognier)
Marianne Germain	....	production supervisor: Paris
Leslie Jacobowitz	....	post-production supervisor
Gretchen McGowan	....	executive in charge of production
Mamta Trivedi	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Romain Baudin	....	second assistant director: Paris
Mariela Comitini	....	second assistant director: Paris
Jason Fesel	....	second second assistant director
Andrea Roa	....	second assistant director

Art Department
James Maher	....	props assistant
Miles Michael	....	props assistant
Karen S. Neasi	....	art department coordinator (as Karen Neasi)
Cyril Père	....	property master: Paris (as Cyril Pere)
Thierry Pitel	....	prop assistant: Paris
Tim Rossiter	....	property master
Amy Small	....	art department assistant: second unit, New York
Adam Sober	....	set dresser
Joshua Visser	....	leadman (as Josh Visser)
Charlotte Watts	....	art department intern

Sound Department
Coll Anderson	....	sound effects editor
Stephen Barden	....	sound re-recording mixer
Stephen Barden	....	supervising sound editor
Géraud Combelles	....	sound recordist: Paris (as Geraud Combelles)
Christopher Fondulas	....	boom operator (as Chris Fondules)
Anguibe Guindo	....	boom operator
Chat Gunter	....	sound utility
Lawrence Loewinger	....	sound mixer (as Larry Loewinger)
Bryant Musgrove	....	boom operator
Mike Patrick	....	assistant sound editor (as Michael Patrick)
Mike Selemon	....	post-production sound assistant: Goldcrest Post
John Sievert	....	foley artist
Jeanne Sison	....	sound project supervisor: Goldcrest Post
Lan Tran	....	foley editor
Stefan Fraticelli	....	foley artist (uncredited)
Matthew Harrold	....	additional sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)
Beauxregard Neylon	....	adr mixer (uncredited)
Randy Wilson	....	foley recordist (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Benjamin Murray	....	visual effects: Postworks Soho

Camera and Electrical Department
John Clifford	....	still photographer
Guillaume Desfontaines	....	director of photography: second unit, Paris (as Guillaume Deffontaine)
Pedro Diez	....	additional grip
Avra Fox	....	best boy electric
Renaud Garnier	....	best boy electric: Paris
John Geisler	....	camera operator (as John 'G' Geisler)
Melissa Guimaraes	....	key grip
Nicholas Hahn	....	first assistant camera
Andrew B. Hansen	....	gaffer: second unit, New York (as Andrew Hansen)
Anna Holtzman	....	camera intern (as Anna Haltzman)
Josh Ingalls	....	key grip: second unit, New York
Colas Jourdain	....	second best boy electric: Paris
Dan Kanes	....	best boy electric
Ronan Killeen	....	first assistant camera: second unit, New York
Erica Kim	....	third electrician
Gerald Lee	....	key grip
Matthew Mendelson	....	additional electrician (as Matt Mendelsohn)
Joseph Paolini	....	best boy grip (as Joe Paolini)
Mathieu Plainfosse	....	extra second assistant camera: Paris
Mike Quigley	....	best boy grip: New York
Yannick Ressigeac	....	first assistant camera: second unit, Paris
Ethan Rosenduft	....	company grip (as Ethan Rosendust)
Randy Schwartz	....	second assistant camera
Erik Shirai	....	additional grip
Yoshi Sonoda	....	additional electrician
Francis Spieldenner	....	Steadicam operator (as Francis Spiedenner)
Jérémy Stone	....	key grip: Paris (as Jeremy Stone)
Walter Strafford	....	electrician
Kevin Strauch	....	best boy grip: Paris
Paul Swan	....	additional grip
John Tanzer	....	gaffer: Paris
Stanley Thomas	....	camera intern (as Stan Thomas)
Charlotte Vitroly	....	second assistant camera: Paris
Michael Arisohn	....	additional grip (uncredited)
Meg Schrock	....	additional electrician (uncredited)
John Shim	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Mary Chapman	....	casting assistant
Meredith Jacobson	....	extras casting (as Meredith Jacobsen Marciano)
Catherine Maneaud	....	extras casting: Paris
Tammy Porto	....	casting assistant
Adam Vincentz	....	extras casting associate (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Natalie Benotti	....	costume intern
James Deanes	....	wardrobe supervisor
Nikia Nelson	....	wardrobe supervisor
Ashley Phillips	....	costume intern

Editorial Department
Christopher Edwards	....	head of post-production: HDNet Films
James W. Harrison III	....	first assistant editor (as Jim Harrison)
Lucas Mumford	....	post-production coordinator
Benjamin Murray	....	on-line editor: Postworks Soho
Scot Olive	....	digital colorist: Postworks Soho
Bill Pankow	....	consulting editor
Sarah Jean Porter	....	additional assistant editor (as Sarah Porter)
Matthew Reedy	....	project supervisor: on-line and color correction, Postworks Soho

Music Department
Nicolas Borne	....	score mixer
Nicolas Borne	....	score recordist
Pierre Yves Casabova	....	score mixer
Pierre Yves Casanova	....	score recordist
Stephanie Diaz-Matos	....	music supervisor
Jamie Lowry	....	music editor
Scratch Massive	....	score producer
Tracy McKnight	....	executive soundtrack producer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Sean Leahy	....	driver
Peter Reith	....	teamster captain
Manny Santiago	....	driver

Other crew
Christina Acevedo	....	office intern: VOX3 Films
Marshall Altier	....	office intern: VOX3 Films
Courtney Andrialis	....	assistant: Mr. Kliot and Ms. Vicente, HDNet Films
Katri Billard	....	script supervisor
Tessa Bordon	....	office intern: VOX3 Films (as Tessa Bourdon)
Christele Boucher	....	production administrator: Paris
Anthony Bouinière	....	location production assistant: Paris (as Anthony Bouiniere)
Mark Chiolis	....	consultant: VIPER
A.J. Compaverde	....	craft service (as AJ Compaverde)
Rachel Connors	....	script supervisor (as Rachel Elizabeth Connors)
Kenneth Daniels	....	additional set production assistant (as Kenny Daniels)
Kenneth Daniels	....	production assistant
Shannon Dennard	....	location manager
Leo Driver	....	parking coordinator
Clinton Engles	....	key set production assistant (as Clint Engels)
Joe Facey	....	craft service
Aude Felsenberg	....	production coordinator: Paris
John Fishburn	....	representative: Plus 8 Digital
Heath Fisher	....	office intern: VOX3 Films
Casey Fitzpatrick	....	assistant: Donna Daniels
Andrew Fixell	....	office intern: VOX3 Films
Dan Gloeckner	....	set production assistant
Erika Goldfarb	....	production assistant: first team
Evan Gregg	....	assistant location manager
Stephen Grivno	....	assistant location manager
Pascal Guérin	....	production coordinator: Paris (as Pascal Guerin)
Steve Holmgren	....	office manager: HDNet Films
Al Ioune	....	production executive: Phantom Film
Eric Jensen	....	production assistant: second unit, New York
Stosh Kozlowski	....	location manager
Lauren Lillie	....	assistant: Mr. Kliot & Ms. Vicente
Quentin Little	....	head of development: HDNet Films
Samantha Lowe	....	office manager: VOX3 Films
Francis Martinez	....	office intern: VOX3 Films
Christopher Matson	....	head of business affairs: HDNet Films (as Chris Matson)
Trinidy McMahon	....	additional set production assistant
Kelsey Miller	....	assistant: Zoe Cassavetes (as M. Kelsey Miller)
Ashaki Millner	....	set production assistant (as Ashaki Shanell Miller)
Manuela M. Morais	....	additional legal services: HDNet Films
Karen S. Neasi	....	consultant: product placement (as Karen Neasi)
J. Brent Peebles	....	production accountant (as Brent Pebbles)
Andrew Porter	....	additional set production assistant
Peter Quain	....	representative: Plus 8 Digital
Lesley Robin	....	assistant: Mr. Fierberg, VOX3 Films
Vernon Rodriguez	....	parking coordinator
Jason Rogien	....	production assistant: second unit, New York
Mike Sap	....	assistant parking coordinator
Lisa Sardinas	....	location scout
Cédric Thomas	....	location production assistant: Paris (as Cedric Thomas)
Jared Traum	....	production secretary
Philippe Tricard	....	location production assistant: Paris
Peter Welsch	....	assistant parking coordinator
Kevin Whittinghill	....	office intern: VOX3 Films
Canella Williams	....	production coordinator
Chad Williams	....	unit production assistant
Virginia Williams	....	assistant: Mr. McGowan, HDNet Films
Gisèle Bertolino	....	location manager: Paris (uncredited)
Scott Ferlisi	....	location scout: New York (uncredited)
Z.D. Johnson	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Jared Traum	....	assistant production office coordinator (uncredited)

Thanks
Darren Aronofsky	....	very special thanks
Brian Bell	....	special thanks
Giulana Bruno	....	very special thanks (as Giuliana Bruno)
Alexandra Cassavetes	....	very special thanks (as Xan Cassavetes)
Nick Cassavetes	....	special thanks
Josh Charles	....	special thanks
Sofia Coppola	....	very special thanks
Griffin Dunne	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• HDNet Films
• Backup Films (in association with)
• Phantom Film
• Vox3 Films

Distributors

• Eurozoom (2008) (France) (theatrical)
• Golden Village Entertainment (2007) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Magnolia Pictures (2007) (USA) (theatrical)
• Phantom Film (2008) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Premium Film (2007) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Barbar Film (2007) (Turkey) (all media)
• Brunbro Entertainment Group (2007) (Belgium) (all media)
• FS Film Oy (2009) (Finland) (DVD)
• Prorom Media-Trade (2007) (Romania) (all media)

Special Effects

• Postworks Soho (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Available Light Productions  lighting and grip equipment provided by (as Available Light)
• Axium/Avalon Entertainment Services  payroll services (as Axium/Avalon)
• Car Grip Films  grip equipment (as Car-Grip Films)
• Cinecam Video Plus  camera equipment
• D.R. Reiff & Associates  production insurance (as D.R. Reiff)
• Donna Daniels Public Relations  publicity
• Goldcrest Post Production New York  sound facility (as Goldcrest Post)
• K.A.S. Lighting  lighting and grip equipment provided by (as KAS Lighting)
• Kaufman Astoria Studios  stage facilities provided by
• L.U.V. Studio  adr stage: France
• Mike Spera  lighting and grip equipment provided by
• Orbit Digital  editing facilities provided by
• Panavision Alga  camera equipment: second unit, Paris
• Plus 8 Digital  camera equipment provided by
• Postworks Soho  editing facilities provided by
• Postworks Soho  video online and color correction
• Search Party  music supervision
• Sound Dogs  sound editing and design
• Soundtrack  ADR facility
• Transpalux  electric equipment
• Télétota  video transfer (as Teletota)
• Xeno Lights  lighting and grip equipment provided by (as Xeno Lights)

Also Known As:

Broken English (Japan: English title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content, brief drug use and language.

Runtime:

97 min | USA:93 min

Country:

USA | France | Japan

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | Finland:K-7

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

HDNet Films

Quotes:

Nora Wilder: I think I must be doing something horribly wrong, but I don't know what it is.

Movie Connections:

Features L'armée des ombres (1969)

Soundtrack:

Walking on the Moon

Before Sunset+Lost in Translation+Sex in the City

I like Parker Posey, she is obviously a talented actress and (I like to fantasize) chooses a lot of roles in indie films. This movie is obviously something that meant a lot to the writer/director, because it is both detailed and nonlinear. However, I did not find it really interesting. Maybe because I am a guy and I am not American.

The story is about a neurotic New York woman, desperate to find true love, and finally stumbling on it by accident with a French guy. Their romance is not everything that happens in the film, though. You have to spend a lot of time following her failed relationships, both sentimental and at work, her pushy mother, the failing marriage of her best friend and a lot of other stuff. As a "life movie" how my parents called this kind of stories, it makes a good one, but not much of an attractive one. Or maybe I just didn't empathize with anyone in it.

Bottom line: solid direction and acting, but quite a bore of a script. Women might enjoy it more, but judging by the reaction of my wife, it takes a bit more than just gender.