A weary small-time hoodlum desperately attempts to quell the escalating conflict between two of his childhood friends - one a struggling martial artist whose school fails after taking out a ... Read allA weary small-time hoodlum desperately attempts to quell the escalating conflict between two of his childhood friends - one a struggling martial artist whose school fails after taking out a loan, and the other a vicious loan shark intent on collecting the debt.A weary small-time hoodlum desperately attempts to quell the escalating conflict between two of his childhood friends - one a struggling martial artist whose school fails after taking out a loan, and the other a vicious loan shark intent on collecting the debt.
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This is a movie about sadness. Quite rought around the edges, but still a good watch. Not very much fighting though. This is more a drama but still very good. The actor not profesional but still do a good job with there charactrers.
The story is very familiar. Nothing you have not seen before, but well done for a movie with no budget. You can see the makers did the best they could with what they had. Acting is all around good with some weak spot here and there, but quite interesting and I was engaged. The fighting when it happens is very good. Sometimes a little hard to watch because the camera moves a little too much or is too close but it felt real. I cared about what happen to the characters too.
The story is very familiar. Nothing you have not seen before, but well done for a movie with no budget. You can see the makers did the best they could with what they had. Acting is all around good with some weak spot here and there, but quite interesting and I was engaged. The fighting when it happens is very good. Sometimes a little hard to watch because the camera moves a little too much or is too close but it felt real. I cared about what happen to the characters too.
Acting is just okay. Doesnt seem like this film had any money behind it so the acting on that level is okay. The main guy is a bit too much like he's in a different movie. The rest of the cast is fine. The bad guy with the mask is the best becuase he doesn't say anything. If I sound like im being too hard on the film Im not. I thought this was an action film but there is so little action its more of a drama with bits of fighting here and there mostly at the end. Thats the main reason why I'm giving this movie a 6/10. The fighting is okay for what it is but its not really what i was looking for.
I wasn't sure what to expect going into The Brokenhearted, but I was honestly blown away. It's one of those indie films that really sticks with you-not because of big explosions or flashy effects, but because of the emotion, the grit, and the characters who feel so real it's like you've known them your whole life.
Sam Lee, who plays James, totally stole the show for me. His performance is intense but also incredibly vulnerable. You can feel the weight of everything he's carrying-from trying to keep his martial arts school alive to dealing with the crushing debt and the sense that his whole world is falling apart. He's not your typical action hero-he's broken, he's angry, but you're rooting for him the whole time. There's one scene where he's just sitting alone in the gym, staring at the walls, and somehow it says more than a whole page of dialogue. That's how good Sam Lee is here.
I also want to give a shoutout to Gene Rush, who plays Troy. He barely says much in the film, but wow-his quiet presence is powerful. He plays this older figure in the neighborhood who doesn't get involved unless he absolutely has to, and when he does, you really feel the weight of his choices. It's one of those "less is more" performances that sneaks up on you and leaves a mark.
The action scenes are raw and not overdone, and the relationships-especially between the three friends-feel so lived-in. The movie has a kind of old-school crime drama vibe but with a really personal edge. It reminded me a bit of Warrior mixed with early Tarantino, but more grounded.
Definitely recommend this one if you're looking for something real and heartfelt, with great performances and some seriously intense moments. The Brokenhearted deserves way more attention.
Sam Lee, who plays James, totally stole the show for me. His performance is intense but also incredibly vulnerable. You can feel the weight of everything he's carrying-from trying to keep his martial arts school alive to dealing with the crushing debt and the sense that his whole world is falling apart. He's not your typical action hero-he's broken, he's angry, but you're rooting for him the whole time. There's one scene where he's just sitting alone in the gym, staring at the walls, and somehow it says more than a whole page of dialogue. That's how good Sam Lee is here.
I also want to give a shoutout to Gene Rush, who plays Troy. He barely says much in the film, but wow-his quiet presence is powerful. He plays this older figure in the neighborhood who doesn't get involved unless he absolutely has to, and when he does, you really feel the weight of his choices. It's one of those "less is more" performances that sneaks up on you and leaves a mark.
The action scenes are raw and not overdone, and the relationships-especially between the three friends-feel so lived-in. The movie has a kind of old-school crime drama vibe but with a really personal edge. It reminded me a bit of Warrior mixed with early Tarantino, but more grounded.
Definitely recommend this one if you're looking for something real and heartfelt, with great performances and some seriously intense moments. The Brokenhearted deserves way more attention.
As I delved into the indie thriller, THE BROKENHEARTED, I found myself drawn into a complex web of friendship, loyalty, and the devastating consequences of violence. The film's decision to cast Asian-American leads in the main roles added a refreshing layer of diversity to the narrative, and their performances were undoubtedly a highlight of the movie.
The plot, centered around childhood friends torn asunder by a leading lives of crime, had all the makings of a gripping drama. However, the execution was sometimes hindered by the production's budget constraints. The excessive use of close-ups, while likely intended to create a sense of intimacy and immediacy, ultimately felt like a cost-cutting measure. This aesthetic choice detracted from the overall visual appeal of the film, making it feel claustrophobic and, at times, unpolished.
Despite these technical limitations, the film's themes of fractured relationships and the cyclical nature of violence resonated deeply with me. The leads' portrayal of the emotional toll of their experiences was genuinely affecting, and their chemistry on screen was undeniable. The supporting cast, though sometimes underutilized, added to the sense of unease and tension that permeated the story.
The tone of the film was decidedly dark and low-key, which suited the subject matter but may not appeal to all viewers. The violent scenes, though infrequent, were jarring and effectively conveyed the gravity of the characters' situations. The score, while not particularly memorable, complemented the on-screen action without overpowering it.
The film's portrayal of the complexities of male friendship and the consequences of unresolved trauma felt authentic and relatable. Though the production's limitations were apparent, the movie's emotional core and the performances of its leads made for a compelling, if imperfect, viewing experience.
In the end, THE BROKENHEARTED left me with a sense of melancholy and a deeper appreciation for independent cinema. While the film's technical shortcomings and sometimes unappealing visuals may deter some viewers, those willing to look beyond its flaws will find a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the human experience.
The plot, centered around childhood friends torn asunder by a leading lives of crime, had all the makings of a gripping drama. However, the execution was sometimes hindered by the production's budget constraints. The excessive use of close-ups, while likely intended to create a sense of intimacy and immediacy, ultimately felt like a cost-cutting measure. This aesthetic choice detracted from the overall visual appeal of the film, making it feel claustrophobic and, at times, unpolished.
Despite these technical limitations, the film's themes of fractured relationships and the cyclical nature of violence resonated deeply with me. The leads' portrayal of the emotional toll of their experiences was genuinely affecting, and their chemistry on screen was undeniable. The supporting cast, though sometimes underutilized, added to the sense of unease and tension that permeated the story.
The tone of the film was decidedly dark and low-key, which suited the subject matter but may not appeal to all viewers. The violent scenes, though infrequent, were jarring and effectively conveyed the gravity of the characters' situations. The score, while not particularly memorable, complemented the on-screen action without overpowering it.
The film's portrayal of the complexities of male friendship and the consequences of unresolved trauma felt authentic and relatable. Though the production's limitations were apparent, the movie's emotional core and the performances of its leads made for a compelling, if imperfect, viewing experience.
In the end, THE BROKENHEARTED left me with a sense of melancholy and a deeper appreciation for independent cinema. While the film's technical shortcomings and sometimes unappealing visuals may deter some viewers, those willing to look beyond its flaws will find a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the human experience.
So I watched The Brokenhearted (2024) thinking it was gonna be some gritty action drama or something, but man was I disappointed. It starts off looking like it's building up to something cool, but then just kinda... doesn't. There's barely any action, and when there is some, it's nothing special. Kinda slow, kinda soft, like they didn't really commit to it. Honestly, with all the cool indie action stuff out there, this just felt super tame. Like have these guys ever seen anything by Eric Jacobus? Or Vlad Rimburg? Those guys actually get how to shoot and choreograph fights-tight, fast, and with impact. Every punch or kick in their work feels like it counts. This movie just sorta floats around in feelings and slow shots and then ends. I kept waiting for something big to happen but it never really does.
I get it's supposed to be more emotional or whatever, but even then it didn't really hit for me. A few moments worked, but overall it felt like a missed opportunity. Wish they had brought in some real action people to spice things up. Not terrible, but not something I'd recommend unless you're really into moody indie stuff with barely any fights.
I get it's supposed to be more emotional or whatever, but even then it didn't really hit for me. A few moments worked, but overall it felt like a missed opportunity. Wish they had brought in some real action people to spice things up. Not terrible, but not something I'd recommend unless you're really into moody indie stuff with barely any fights.
Did you know
- TriviaStarting production in August 2020, the film was originally set to be a short film with a projected run-time of approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Upon completion of principle photography in July 2023, the film became a full-length feature, with a run-time of approximately one hour and 47 minutes.
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- $5,000 (estimated)
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