Elise and Didier fall in love at first sight, in spite of their differences. He talks, she listens. He's a romantic atheist, she's a religious realist. When their daughter becomes seriously ill, their love is put on trial.
Weak and manipulative.
The leads emote their hearts out, and it'll doubtless make a resonant soundtrack album – but van Groeningen needs those tunes to carry us over his somewhat contrived and flatpack-like vision of bohemia.
The Broken Circle Breakdown presents us with a feast of visual verve and is as committed to documenting anguish as it is ecstasy; it delivers romance that will lift your heart and tragedy that will bring tears to your eyes, underscored by a soundtrack that will most definitely stir your soul.
Committed performances add to the appeal, provoking tears that are more than sentimental as the interweaving themes rise and fall like competing melodies – poignant, affecting and precise.
This is a distinctive oddity that is as hokey as a country ballad, but sometimes as plangent too.
The story can’t help descending into melodrama. Still, the music and the setting, not to mention committed performances by the leads, make it a worthwhile watch.
General release. Check local listings for show times.