Zoe Cassavetes was born to make movies (literally, her father, John Cassavetes is the father of American independent cinema) and she proves that with her debut film, Broken English. In less capable hands, this film could have been an episode of “Sex in the City” minus the three catty friends. But, by avoiding romantic comedy cliches and by surrounding herself with a remarkable cast, instead she has crafted a witty, honest look at a woman who begins to struggle with her single-hood.

Parker Posey is Nora, a funny, sassy, smart thirty-something whose only real fault is wanting more out of life than others want for her. She begins to get a little uncomfortable with her position in life while witnessing her best friend’s perfect marriage. It doesn’t help that her mother (Rowlands) constantly reminds her that her time is running out. So, Nora sets out to find the perfect man. After a series of awful dates she happens to meet a quirky, attractive Frenchman, Julian, who pursues her...aggressively.

In the end, what makes Broken English a success is that it isn’t afraid to share its lead character’s flaws. Neither Nora nor Julian are too put-together. Each remains human, vulnerable, and thus easy to root for. Sure, the girl-meets-boy story line has been around for centuries – but in the confident hands of Cassavetes, it feels fresh again. - Wm. Brian Owens