Broken City

Broken City ain't your typical movie. It's all about the struggle - economic grind, moral gray zones, and bold moves. This ain't your Hollywood glitz flick. Broken City is that raw, dark take on economic injustice but on a whole 'nother level. No punches pulled, it's a wild ride messin' with your feels and loyalties. The indie vibe, down and dirty, making it feel real - ain't no glossy Tinseltown here. It's smart, it's tight, with performances so real you swear you're in the streets watchin' it unfold. Broken City ain't frontin' with its indie charm; it wears it proud. Mad respect for this flick, it's the realest in the game.

A really intriguing, exciting movie. A film dealing with economic injustice, it is definitely in a similar wheelhouse with "Emily the Criminal." But this is a darker, more thrilling take on the sub-genre. It is a suspenseful film that pulls no-punches. The action builds and our feelings and loyalties are conflicted. The indie down-and-dirty quality of the movie is part of its allure. This is not Hollywood. You feel you are watching something real and visceral unfold. It is a very smart and taught movie, with realistic performances that make the story seem all the more real. Well directed and written, this film will pull you in and keep you guessing. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

A surprisingly well-structured story. It's a criminal heist premise where a gang of 3 thieves (with a 4th 'inside woman' acting as babysitter) rob wealthy households of jewelry and belongings. When they enter the home of a big mark businessman (and his loopy girlfriend who is half his age) , complications make it take longer than expected, tempers flare, and things come to a head. Standout performances from Ria Gill as Maya and Ronnie Angel (former pro wrestler in real life) as Andy. Script by Jonathan Smith shows solid understanding of storytelling for movies. Score by Peter Howard works best during thrilling passages. Def check it out.

Despite the low-budget hustle and a cast of mostly new faces, this drama hits different. Jonathon Smith's gripping tale, paired with a real street vibe, sells this drama big time. Sure, Broken City wears its indie budget on its sleeve, but that's the charm. Having mostly new faces adds to that realness. The lead brings a natural vibe, a real-life weariness that hits deep. Smith, pulling double duty as writer and lead, drops a mix of swagger and moral chaos. This flick dives into the messy world of crime, kicking off with good intentions but spiraling out of control. No winners in this game, and Broken City gets it, keeping it real with gritty empathy.

Broken City (2023), directed by Terry Spears, is a fairly engaging low budget crime thriller. The plot and its events are pretty unique. The camera work and styling of the film is raw, which I think works in its favor. However, with most low budget films it has its constraints and downfalls. For me, that was the acting, music, set design (or lack thereof), and at times the continuity. Those were the noticeable elements that took me out of the experience.

I really liked how unpredictable the story was though. If you are looking for something different; a unique indie crime thriller with grit, this may just be the one for you.