Broken - 2012 - Tim Roth, Cillian Murphy.

Accomplished debut, even with a poor script.

Making the move from theatre to feature, Rufus Norris gives us Broken, a drama film centred around a young diabetic girl named Skunk (Eloise Laurence) and her father, Archie (Tim Roth). On starting a new school year, everything seems to be going wrong for Skunk as she gets bullied, looses her boyfriend and favourite teacher and struggles to cope with her dad's new relationship.

Amazingly, this film does very well to place moments of happiness and joy in with the truly disturbing issues depicted throughout the film. Damon Albarn's soothing, indie music goes hand-in-hand with the joy of Skunk when she is hiding out in her 'lair', yet adds meaning to the moments of despair. With the dark content that has been explored, there are stand out performances from 13 year-old Eloise Laurence and the phenomenal Tim Roth. Cillian Murphy is also on good form, steering away from the villain to play Skunk's favourite teacher who is in the middle of a break-up and is also being accused of having sex with a minor. Norris does well to highlight these disturbing subjects whilst not offending the audience. 

The main issue with this film is the script by Mark O'Rowe. Adapted from a 2008 book by Daniel Clay, the film, only 90 minutes long, concentrates on too many characters, with too many separate stories. The characters involved seem to be fighting for attention, each trying to top one another with whose life is the worst. Unsure of whether this is completely down to the script, or a combination of script and first time director.

A solid directorial debut. Great cast, great ending.

J.Henderson.

7/10.