Sundance. Broken English.

"I despise romantic comedies as a rule," writes Jeffrey Wells, "but Zoe Cassavetes's Broken English is an exception, perhaps because it doesn't try to be 'funny' as much as sardonic and bitterly truthful about what a slog it is out there for no-longer-young women who are 'looking for love,' or at least for a relationship that allows for the possibility of something nourishing and genuine."

"Broken English is a film one cheers for before watching simply due to the Cassavetes legacy," writes Steve Ramos at indieWIRE. "The fact that it's a likable romp with just enough chuckles earns Cassavetes status as a moviemaker with potential.... With its bad date gags, constant girl talk and fashionable wardrobe, Broken English is an unabashed women's comedy, a Marlo Thomas comedy for the 21st century."

"A pitch-perfect lead performance by Parker Posey and debuting feature writer-helmer Zoe Cassavetes's deft, low-key approach raise "Broken English" a couple notches above the usual run of lonely-single-woman-seeking-romance-in-the-big-city yarns," agrees Dennis Harvey in Variety.

But Jamie Tipps, writing at Film Threat, finds: "What began as an interesting character study ends in convention, offering only the most clichéd platitudes in summation. You can't find true love until you love yourself? Hasn't Dr. Phil been telling us that for years?"

For New York, Emma Rosenblum asks Cassavetes a few questions, and the Reeler not only has a chat as well, but ST VanAirsdale also gets a few words with Parker Posey at the post-premiere party: "I'm so glad the movie got a good response, because its got a light touch in a very unusual way, but it's dealing with a very tenuous and soulful transformation and transition in a woman's life."

Update, 1/23: Online viewing tip. Posey and Cassavetes chat on iW Video.

Update, 1/27: Mike D'Angelo at ScreenGrab: "[T]his is the first time in my memory that [Posey's] ever come across as a plausible human being."

Update, 1/29: "Parker Posey turns in one of her best performances to date," writes Tom Hall. "Broken English is a lovely addition to the 'sex and the single girl' genre, and while it's hard to find a man for whom to root, one can't help but root for Nora the whole way."

Coverage of the coverage: The Park City Index.

Posted by dwhudson at January 22, 2007 6:18 AM