The Broken Circle Breakdown

Honored in its native Belgium with multiple awards and nabbing an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film, filmmaker Felix Van Groeningen's drama presents a story of wrenching marital crises blended with some exquisite bluegrass and C&W music. Adapted from a stage production, The Broken Circle Breakdown employs a time-splintered narrative to contrast the delirious highs and agonized lows in the relationship between Elise (Veerle Baetens), a Ghent tattoo artist (who has made her own body a multicolored canvas), and Didier (Jonah Heldenbergh), a bearded gentleman farmer and avid banjo player in a successful bluegrass ensemble. Set against a backdrop of 9/11 and its faraway echoes on the American scene, the story finds Elise becoming a twangy vocalist for Didier's band, but offstage their young daughter's tragic ordeal with cancer fractures the relationship. Although somewhat manipulative and melodramatic, the film successfully captures emotional pain within a smooth blend of narrative and appealing soundtrack. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include an interview with director Felix van Groeningen (4 min.). Bottom line: a small extras package for this Oscar nominee.] (C. Cassady)