Broke

Times have certainly changed for former football legend Ben 'BK' Kelly (Steven Le Marquand). Addicted to gambling, he has managed to lose every dollar he's made, and alienate every friend he ever had. It is in this state that Cec (Max Cullen), a former fan, discovers him drunk and homeless at a petrol station one night, and offers him a place to stay. That simple act of kindness opens up new opportunities for BK, but sticking the course has never been easy outside of the game for Ben.

Filmed in Gladstone for a total budget smaller than most Hollywood films would spend on catering, director Heath Davis achieves miracles. Sure it is a little rough around the edges, but given the subject and location, that just seems strangely appropriate.  What he brings to the screen seems genuinely beautiful, both in its cinematography and in its story telling.

At times the dialogue of Broke is as obscenity laden and homophobic as the average Deadwood monologue. Yet this all adds to the authenticity of voice behind Broke. It rings true of the Australian 'burbs, that distinctive turn of phrase and way of behaving. This is the voice that the film successfully chooses for itself, and although it sails towards parody on a number of occasions, it generally manages to stick the course. What it is so successful in doing is mining this atmosphere, for both some great comedy and some genuinely effecting drama.

In that regard it's certainly boosted by Steve Le Marquand's spot on performance as the damaged Ben Kelly. His constant hangdog look conveys aeons of pain and regret, and that his glory days are well in the past. Veteran actor Max Cullen is solid as the good natured Cec, bringing a grounding to a character that could be too good to be true. In a role that could easily be just an obligatory love interest,  Claire Van De Boom brings a touch of lightness to the film as Cec's daughter, Terri. Adding both comedy and pathos to the mix, her chemistry with Le Marquand is suburb, filled with a sense of playfulness.

A simple redemption arc, that is given depth by the characters and the environment. In its examination of celebrity sports stars culture and gambling addiction Broke seems topical and on point. Sadly beautiful in its storytelling and its visuals, this is a solid and distinctly Australian film. 

Originally published in X-Press Magazine