The Return of Jezebel James

The Broken English DVD is out, and Netflix just yesterday sent me a copy. And now it’s on my Amazon wish list.

Aside from the actual film, which I really enjoyed— I enjoyed Broken English so much that I’ve seen it twice already. A chick flick, a love story— No, neither of those. It’s a romance film, just independent enough to feel real, but Zoe Cassavetes stays away from needless shots or scenes, a disease that plagues independent film. The main character Nora drives the story, which builds Nora’s conflict slowly, something sorely lacking from many romance films. It’s not a comedy, but there are some delightfully awkward moments that make you laugh and say, “Poor Nora.”

Aside from the actual film, the DVD also includes deleted scenes— And I’d love to see an extended version with some of these scenes re-included. It has a “making of” documentary, which is mostly informal interviews with the cast and shots on the set. And it includes the Broken English episode of the show Higher Definition, as well as mini-documentaries about Diggers (with Lauren Ambrose) and Fay Grim (also starring Parker Posey).

The film is in wide-screen format and includes (English) stereo audio as well as 5.1 surround. Unfortunately, it only includes Spanish subtitles. (Sometimes, I like to turn the English subtitles on, especially if there’s background noise in the room.)

So if your tastes run anything like mine, this DVD is at least worth Netflixing. Probably worth buying.

My dream is to someday own a home with an on-site screening room, so I can watch films I love on a big screen.

-TimK