Last Update: January 20, 2023, 07:44 IST
I first heard about Broker in May 2022, when the film premiered at Cannes 2022. There were some big names associated with the film. From Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda, who gave us the wonderful Shoplifters in 2018, to South Korean stars like Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won, Bae Donna, Lee Ji-eun aka IU, and Lee Joo-young , Brooker raised expectations even before it premiered.
Imagine the anticipation rising when the film not only competed for the Palme d’Or but also won the worldwide jury prize. In addition, Song Kang-ho also won the Best Actor award. The film is now among the 301 films eligible for an Oscar nomination. With this kind of international recognition attached to the film, it’s hard not to go into the film with high expectations. But does it live up to the expectations? let’s find out!
Broker revolves around the concept of a baby box – instead of leaving their child behind at an orphanage, mothers leave their babies in a ‘baby box’. This allows touts to sell the child illegally to couples who cannot have children. While Sang-hyeon (Song Kang-ho) and Dong-soo (Gang Dong-won) have already been involved in the illegal human trafficking business as pimps for some time, IU aka Lee Ji-eun Ki Moo So-young joins them when she leaves her son in the baby box but returns so she can find him a good home. This leads the trio on a road trip to find the right family for So-young’s young child.
Little does he know that there are two female policemen on his trail. To top it off, So-young has a dirty secret up her sleeve. The movie ends with all the Big Little Lies coming out of the bag.
Broker is a three part action film. The film begins with the focus on the child, before he is kicked out of the group and the auxiliary police become involved and eventually, the child becomes a metaphor to bring out the vulnerable side of the characters. Broker is an emotional film with a hint of humor and the concept of family in focus, a style of storytelling for which Hirokazu Kore-eda is known. Although themes like mother issues, loneliness, and what ‘family’ really means remain at the forefront of the film, it manages to ease the weight of dark emotions with its goofy main characters.
Song Kang-ho’s Sang-hyeon and Lee Ji-un’s Moo So-young are the best written characters in the film. The last time Song Kang-ho was seen internationally, he sent chills down the spine with his performance in Parasite. However, with Brocker, you can’t stop yourself from having a soft spot for him and even feel sorry for him in his vulnerable view. His departure from Parasite and assimilation of the goofy, soft-spoken and self-doubtful Sang-hyeon showcases his versatility beautifully.
Meanwhile, Lee Ji-un takes on a challenging role and pulls it off with ease. This performance will be mentioned in the same breath as her popular K-drama My Mister. Gang Dong-won as Dong-soo also shines in several scenes, especially with Lee Ji-un. He has his fair share of scenes, with Hirokazu Kore-eda giving him a compelling backstory and story arc. We’re also treated to Bay Donna’s Soo-jin and Lee Joo-young’s Detective Lee, who look like they could have their own dark yet hilarious cop movie. The straight faced cop even manages to get a few laughs from the crowd in the first half.
However, the great performances don’t hide the unbalanced narrative. The Japanese director keeps the first half comfortable while in the second half tries to pack more than the film’s capacity. The post-interval portion of the film seeks to explore each character and their background, but due to the film’s limited running time and uneven narration space, Brooker feels it does not do full justice to the arcs the director has created for the supporting cast. Is. inserted in the climax.
Without revealing spoilers, Brooker chooses a convenient way to wrap up the film. There is no social or political commentary on the subject, indicating that Hirokazu did not want to delve deeper into the Kore-eda situation, but only approach the subject from an emotional point of view. This leaves the climax a bit shallow.
In it all, cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo brilliantly supports Hirokazu Kore-eda with the camera. He brings out the colors even in the dullest moments of the film, making it a mesmerizing watch.
Bottom Line: Broker will make you feel heavy in heart with its concept and brilliant performances but there are few hindrances which prevent the film from taking it a notch higher.
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