jankris Amazing drama movie. Top-notch acting and songs makes it even more beautiful. Different religious beliefs of the parents perfectly shown on the movie. Beautiful cinematography. Despite its (comparatively)avarage parts, the last scene where you see Elise(alabama) made tattoo of her husband's name even though she wants to be death and part of her hates him, was one of the most touching ending that i have ever seen. For Drama lovers i totally recommend.

sol- Two bluegrass musicians meet, fall in love and wrestle with their emotions as their daughter is diagnosed with cancer in this compelling drama from Belgium. Johan Heldenbergh is excellent throughout as the very emotionally torn husband and the film utilises music interludes very well, but it is the non-linear structure of the film that stands up best as the film plays out a more a stream of consciousness tale than a traditional narrative, as if the whole film is Heldenbergh's own personal reflections on his life. The ups and downs of his tale also benefit from the film taking place out of order; they are more enthralling and tragic knowing what is to come. The politics of the film are, however, very heavy-handed, and with quite a bit of speechmaking and angry rants on Heldenbergh's behalf, his grief is sometimes uncomfortably pushed into the backdrop. While hardly the happiest film ever made, it should perhaps be noted that 'The Broken Circle Breakdown' is not quite as bleak as all that. There is ample time spent on his happy moments to the point that one can see the film about cherishing good memories and trying to not let bad memories overpower them. The film finds an excellent child performance in Nell Cattrysse too. The scene in which she refuses to let go of a dead bird, realising that it could very well be her, is absolutely heartbreaking.

rafael13234 This Belgian production, nominated for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, is one of those great human dramas, the kind that believes in scenes tragedies (separation, accident, illness) and greater representation of human depth. The story revolves around Elise (Veerle Baetens) and Didier (Johan Heldenbergh), he is a romantic musician and she is a owner of a tattoo parlor. Despite the differences, the relationship works well and they have a daughter, Maybelle (Nell Cattrysse). At six the girl is seriously ill and the family is destabilized. Both Bohemians do what they can, but the child's situation is very serious.

active18yos Okay, I enjoyed this Belgian take on Bluegrass and familial tragedy...however I am left with one major question about it....Didier meets Elise.....she is a tattoo artist....but then suddenly she has become an amazingly talented singer...has anyone else questioned this?.....I waited for a flashback (as is the entire film's style) to verify the point at which Elise validated her vocalist talents....but nothing....we are supposed to simply understand that she joined the band and became their very fine female vocalist.... Didier's singing talents are part of the story and are understood.....but Elise's?! Otherwise, quite a refreshing piece of work by Van Groinengen....but this MAJOR storyline discrepancy has downgraded it for me from a 5-star to a 4-star....there's only so much a director can expect his audience to accept!