A bluegrass film from Belgium? That sounds like a snowflake from the Sahara, a kangaroo from Mongolia, a coconut from Siberia: something completely out of place. But in fact it works out really nicely. This is not a film about bluegrass, but a film in which bluegrass plays an important part: it supports the story. Just like in 'Oh brother where art thou', the only other film I know with a bluegrass soundtrack.
'The Broken Circle Breakdown' is about the young couple Didier and Elize. Didier seems to be an American born on the wrong continent: he drives a pick-up truck, sleeps in a trailer and considers Bill Monroe the greatest musician ever. Elize works in a tattoo parlour and looks the part. She doesn't know who Bill Monroe is, but she wins Didier's heart by draping her tattooed body, clad in a stars and stripes-bikini, over the hood of his truck.
The young lovers are happy and carefree, even when Elize gets pregnant. They call their daughter Maybelle (after Maybelle Carter) and move from the trailer to an old farmhouse. But then disaster hits and their lives are changed dramatically.
Director Felix Van Groeningen tells the story in many flash backs and flash forwards, but succeeds in not confusing the audience. In spite of the sometimes very dramatic developments and some emotional scenes the film contains many lighthearted and even funny moments. The bluegrass music blends in naturally: Didier is a bluegrass musician and Elize joins the band as the singer.
The use of bluegrass music was an idea from actor Johan Heldenbergh, who plays Didier. This well-known Flemish actor is very involved in all things American. He has even made a 'Flemish western', a no-budget film which involved all inhabitants of the village he lived in at the time. When asked by Elize what he really cares about, Didier answers: 'America. That's a country of dreamers'. But later on in the film he despises George W. Bush's decision not to allow stem cell therapy.
American politics is not the only theme the director cleverly includes in the story about Didier and Elize. Another one is religion. Didier is not religious, and cannot understand why others are. At one point, he confronts the startled audience of a bluegrass concert with his views about a supreme being. Scenes like these are a little bit over the top, but then again Didier is not an average person.
'The Broken Circle Breakdown' is a very original, heartfelt movie about exceptional people and beautiful music. Worth seeing, even if you don't know who Bill Monroe is.
'The Broken Circle Breakdown' is about the young couple Didier and Elize. Didier seems to be an American born on the wrong continent: he drives a pick-up truck, sleeps in a trailer and considers Bill Monroe the greatest musician ever. Elize works in a tattoo parlour and looks the part. She doesn't know who Bill Monroe is, but she wins Didier's heart by draping her tattooed body, clad in a stars and stripes-bikini, over the hood of his truck.
The young lovers are happy and carefree, even when Elize gets pregnant. They call their daughter Maybelle (after Maybelle Carter) and move from the trailer to an old farmhouse. But then disaster hits and their lives are changed dramatically.
Director Felix Van Groeningen tells the story in many flash backs and flash forwards, but succeeds in not confusing the audience. In spite of the sometimes very dramatic developments and some emotional scenes the film contains many lighthearted and even funny moments. The bluegrass music blends in naturally: Didier is a bluegrass musician and Elize joins the band as the singer.
The use of bluegrass music was an idea from actor Johan Heldenbergh, who plays Didier. This well-known Flemish actor is very involved in all things American. He has even made a 'Flemish western', a no-budget film which involved all inhabitants of the village he lived in at the time. When asked by Elize what he really cares about, Didier answers: 'America. That's a country of dreamers'. But later on in the film he despises George W. Bush's decision not to allow stem cell therapy.
American politics is not the only theme the director cleverly includes in the story about Didier and Elize. Another one is religion. Didier is not religious, and cannot understand why others are. At one point, he confronts the startled audience of a bluegrass concert with his views about a supreme being. Scenes like these are a little bit over the top, but then again Didier is not an average person.
'The Broken Circle Breakdown' is a very original, heartfelt movie about exceptional people and beautiful music. Worth seeing, even if you don't know who Bill Monroe is.