broken english

I finally watched Broken English yesterday. There are many reasons why I loved this film. First, like most good romances, it takes place in New York (see: Annie Hall). Second, I have a pretty sizable girl-crush on Parker Posey, who plays Nora. I've never seen her in a role like this before. In all the movies I've seen her in, she's been the loud, crazy, quirky girl. In Broken English, she's quiet, guarded, and a bit melancholy. I think it looks good on her. She's someone to relate to. Third, every scene in the film looked beautiful. Nora's wardrobe is enviable, to say the least - all lovely dresses, flowy tops, and bohemian prints. I particularly admired the fact that Parker Posey went bra-free throughout most of the film, proving (to me, at least) that a less-endowed woman doesn't need to wear bust-enhancing padded bras in order to look, and be, sexy. Last, but not least, there is a scene with penguins. That pretty much constitutes an automatic thumbs-up in my book.

The main reason why I enjoyed this film, though, is because it is rooted in reality. Nora seems like a real person. Her best friend (played by Drea de Matteo) seems like a real best friend, rather than a sidekick who exists only to provide sage advice and/or comedy relief. I honestly can't stand most typical romances, in which the two attractive stars only belong together because the plot says so, and at the end they kiss in the rain while the camera spins around them and a cheesy love song swells in the background. To me, romances in which the characters and dialogue seem real and relatable (à la Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and 2 Days in Paris - all starring another one of my girl-crushes, Julie Delpy) are infinitely more romantic than any of those Hollywood romances could ever hope to be.