Broken Hallelujah: Film review

2.5/5

Director: Alastair Riddell

Stars: Vanessa Cohen-Riddell, Roussel Dubois, Greg Smith, Ben Mitchell

The creation of husband-wife duo Alastair and Vanessa Riddell, this Kiwi-made drama follows the separate journeys of three families whose lives unknowingly interweave and are ultimately brought together.

Kirsty (played by Cohen-Riddell, 'My Father’s Den') anchors the film’s narrative with her story of a contented wife and mum whose life is shattered after discovering the truth behind her husband Gary’s business dealings.

Before long, she falls into the arms of suave car salesman and man-about-town, Jason Wiki (played by Shortland Street’s Ben Mitchell), and her life takes a turn in a whole new direction.

Based on real-life events and inspired by Leonard Cohen’s song 'Hallelujah', 'Broken Hallelujah' takes viewers on a complex and emotionally-engaging journey, canvassing the epic highs and devastating lows, elation, sadness and desperation, that many people encounter throughout their lives.

Several years in the making, the Riddells have dedicated the film to one of the actors, 21-year-old Jimmy Keen, who took his own life just months after filming had finished.

The standard of acting falls well short of that in fellow low budget local films released this year, 'The Dark Horse', 'Fantail' and (doco) 'Hip Hop-eration', and with multiple storylines at play, it at times feels a little disjointed and confused.

The underlying uplifting message, and a few well-executed poignant scenes are the film’s redeeming factors, though it’s not one I’d recommend as a must-see.

'Broken Hallelujah' is in selected NZ cinemas now