The Brokenhearted

The Brokenhearted follows a petty gangster desperately attempting to prevent the escalating conflict between two of his childhood friends. One of his friends is a struggling martial artist whose school fails after taking out a loan, and the other is a vicious loan shark intent on collecting the debt. The piece is a tale of loyalty and redemption that blends a gritty action drama with a character study.

What is perhaps most apparent in the film's presentation is its grainy photography, which lends the experience a gritty edge, stylistically and tonally. It almost feels like an early-2000s blockbuster with its grimy visuals, rapid camera movement and costume design. While the desaturated colour palette might not appeal to everyone, it ultimately complements the film’s grim aesthetic. The film also feels heavily inspired by Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets (1973), particularly in its character motivations and its blend of intimate drama and gangster cinema. While it clearly wears its influences on its sleeve, it strays from a typical Asian-American action piece, opting for a character-focused narrative that feels far less concerned with frequent action set pieces. Despite how visceral the infrequent outbursts of action are, they feel like an afterthought because the initial setup is so prolonged.

Alex Au, serving as the film’s cinematographer, does a terrific job of framing each set piece and the intimate dialogue-heavy sequences. The fluid camera movement and raw close-ups are incredibly claustrophobic and hard-hitting, anchored by the physicality of each performance. The shift to wide framing is also incredibly impactful, as it gives the viewer space to process what's occurring. Despite how claustrophobic it feels, the use of a shaky cam works well, as it gets up close and personal with the actors. Serving as the director and editor, Leroy Nguyen’s editing is jarring, with choppy cuts during the fight sequences; however, the choreography and suitable framing choices make it worthwhile. Leroy Nguyen really knows how to shoot action set pieces, and it's one of the most memorable aspects of the experience.

One of the film’s biggest issues is its pacing. While it takes its time to establish the bond between the central characters, Sonny (Leroy Nguyen), James (Samuel Joon Lee), and Winston (Travis Davis), it overstays its welcome with a prolonged runtime which doesn't justify its length. While the character-driven approach is commendable, the meandering pacing is detrimental to the experience, as it feels sluggish to endure. That said, it rewards viewers with brutal action set pieces and delivers a satisfying payoff.

Despite how understated Alex Kane’s musical score is throughout the first half, it's utilised profoundly in the final third of the film, anchoring the emotional resonance with its meditative motifs. The use of needle drops is also a commendable choice as they are utilised well throughout the narrative.

The performances across the board are memorable, in particular Leroy Nguyen’s portrayal of Sonny. He conveys the character’s sheer physicality while boasting seamless chemistry with the supporting players. As the tension brews among Sonny, James and Winston, each performance shines profoundly.

The Brokenhearted may surprise audiences with its distinct focus on character over spectacle. While it may suffer from dimly lit sequences that give the film a lack of visual flair, it's held together by hard-hitting action sequences, magnetic chemistry between each cast member and solid performances all around. The piece is a flawed yet rewarding and brutal experience.