More Beautiful for Having Been Broken (2019) Poster

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5/10
Challenging Themes Explored with heartfelt emotion
vjliberatori-5119226 September 2020
So many of the permutations of love explored: mother & child, mother/daughter, daughter/father, man & woman, woman & woman. Kayla Radomski's dance choreography and execution of that choreography is technically expert and emotionally resonant. Cale Ferrin gives a remarkable performance as Freddie as he overcomes the resistance of these two alienated and injured women and brings them all together as a family. The climax of the film is a tad too melodramatic and overacted. Some scenes seem off tonally and several subplots distract from the central storyline. On repeated viewings these problems become more apparent.
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7/10
Salute for the kid!
abhinavratna22 September 2020
I liked the movie to an extent and the best part of the movie is that kid.He is adorable
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7/10
Heartwarming
MintMelonSorbet20 April 2021
Freddie (portrayed by Cale Ferrin) steals the show. A beautiful story about acceptance, openness, love, strength, perspective, and resilience. A truly feel-good movie.
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7/10
Beautiful
valinvancouver17 May 2022
This movie has a "Lifetime Channel" vibe that stays mostly in the background and is easy to ignore because the main story is extremely touching and the movie is often visually beautiful. There was a powerful dance sequence which was a nice touch. It would have been better if it was the only one, unfortunately they added a second sequence later that upped the cheese factor and distracted from the scene it was meant to mirror. Another thing I found annoying was the piecemeal way the background information was dribbled into the main story. I was also annoyed by the tired plot device used to generate some conflict toward the end ("I have something important to tell you...oh, it can wait.")

Complaints aside, I found it to be beautiful and comforting and worth the watch.
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2/10
What an embarrassment
jell9527 December 2020
Well that was two hours of my life I'll never get back. And about 90 mins of those were taken up by ridiculous dance montages and incoherent flashbacks. Any time the film actually started to show any promise, it was cheapened by another gimmick shot. Nicole Conn just needs to give up the film biz, everything she makes is an absolute dumpster fire and this is no exception. This was such a waste of a film that could have actually been decent in different hands. Zoe Ventura and Kayla Radomski had some decent chemistry when their scenes weren't broken up with nonsense, and Cale Ferrin as Freddie was an absolute delight. Lastly the stupid narration over the top was pointless. If a film is well directed and scripted, it shouldn't need someone to explain every scene to you. Avoid this unless you're into cheap Wolfe Video movies that wish they could be only as bad a Lifetime movie.
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4/10
Charming
rachelpalmer-843683 July 2019
I'd hoped this new film by the famous Nicole Conn would be as great as her other films. It's not. It lacks sizzle. Honestly couldn't figure out what the story was about except the kid is sort of a matchmaker, fixer, cupid. See it but don't expect a Conn stand out.
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10/10
Truly amazing
hazelnuts659 May 2020
Wow this film took my breath away. Fantastic cinematography and Nicole used her life experience to produce her vision with such creativity. I am a big big fan of Zoè Ventura who plays Mckenzie and the chemistry between her and Kayla Radomski who plays Samantha is truly beautiful. I have so much praise for Cale Ferrin who plays Freddie; what a star. I found all the characters brought this film together. The love scene between McKenzie and Samantha which is only part of the film in the Director's cut was beautifully sensual and breathtaking. Well done Nicole and everyone involved in this project; what an outstanding result.
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3/10
Just OK
kellylong-9043330 June 2019
I expected more from Nicole Conn. The film quality is poor and the acting is average. Story is clever but I just couldn't get ito it. Many things made no sense. The kid is adorable though.
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10/10
I fell in love with this movie
clever-5692515 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
In my opinion, this is Nicole Conn's best film. It will awaken your compassion for people with special needs (especially children) and inspire a wonderful lesbian story. The lesbian couple is played so beautifully thanks to the actresses Zoe Ventoura and Kayla Radomsky. Undeniable chemistry, subtly accentuated by the amazing dance of love, beautiful sex scenes and beautiful landscapes. How I wish there was another Nicole Conn movie with them. Desire that doesn't come to me so often after watching lesbian stories .. As for those who say the film is "not Christian" - fear God! There is nothing more Christian when 3 suffering people become happy that they have found each other and help each other return to a fulfilling life. To call it "not Christian" just because these are 2 women is the obscurantism of the Middle Ages. I recommend for viewing to those who are looking for meaning, sincerity, romance, courage, sensual love, compassion in films and, which is important for lesbian couples, a happy ending) And yes, I applaud the little actor!
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2/10
Unfortunately
simonacton1 July 2019
I wanted so much to love this film. But it somehow misses. The story is disjointed and the sex scene seems gratuitous yet the actresses are appealing. I want a great story told well. The premise here is good but not enough to build a movie around. Conn's previous films were memorable. This one won't be.
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2/10
Not good
lostsophie10 April 2020
I've never been a Nicole Conn fan. Her movies are too long and sort of goofy. I had high hopes for this movie. The child in the movie is great. The chemistry between the two women looks forced. Not the worst lesbian movie I've ever seen, but close.
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2/10
Interesting
danapointer-297302 July 2019
The young boy in ths film is terrific. Actually a lot about the acting is great and I liked seeing Bruce Davidson. He's always good. I just wasn't bowled over by the film. Conn's earlier films had more continuity. It's not a bad film. It's just not great. Watch it and see what you think.
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10/10
Stormy days ahead
foleysharon25 February 2020
Had the privilege of attending the screening of this film at the Sydney Mardi Gras Film Festival with Nicole in attendance, Q&A afterwards. This is not a typical Nicole Conn film although the story hits you like a bolt of lightning. A special needs young chap who views the world through his own lense brings all the charters together. Incorporating dance in the coming together of the two main characters was hypnotic. This film is not just directed at a lesbian audience but anyone over 15 years of age who has a soul and understanding of connecting with fellow humans regardless of their circumstances.
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3/10
Nice Idea
marielatourlady4 July 2019
You can't help but love the kid in the story. There was so much going on with each person's issues but no depth explored.
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10/10
A Very Beautiful Story
martynix-421307 April 2020
This is a beautiful & meaningful film with totally amazing performances by all, especially by the leads - Kayla Radomski (Samantha), Zoe Ventoura (McKenzie) and Cale Ferrin (Freddie). The acting was outstanding and the dance sequences were captivating as well as heartwarming. Such an outstanding movie all the way around!
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3/10
Why....
jelencesb21 October 2020
Hadnt anyone mention this was truly a waste of time 🙄🙄🙄
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2/10
What did I watch ?
ks-6050030 May 2020
What's point of making this if nothing special ? Score to the kids.
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1/10
Want A Burger With that Cheese?
earthboli8 December 2020
The title is pretentious and should tell you a little something about how heavy-handed this will be. Because it knocks you over the head with its self-importance and symbolism to the point of being cheesy and very over-the-top.

I had low expectations because I saw Conn's Clair of the Moon, which was, well, cheesy. But I appreciated aspects of it.

This film has a narrator who appears and disappears, and the film starts right away with cheesy narration. Not a good start. From there, we get an implausible plot and weird twists and a bad script. Acting is okay; I can't fault the actors for reading corny lines. Plot: an FBI agent who experienced a death in her family goes somewhere to mourn and regroup and things happen. You don't need to know any more except there are dancing scenes symbolizing sex. Yep. It's that kind of movie!

As an aside, the "child with special needs has special powers" trope is rather insulting. To think that we need a kid to have psychic/intuitive powers to accept him is too much. He's fine as he is without needing to be psychic, thank you very much.

Do I need to continue? I think what you've read so far is enough. It's really bad.
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8/10
Challenges overcome through loving family
slenssen12 November 2019
Beautiful film about lifes challenges and overcoming them through loving support of family.
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4/10
weak indie
SnoopyStyle23 October 2020
FBI Agent McKenzie "Max" De Ridder is trying to regroup in the country after getting suspended. She soon befriends young handicap boy named Freddie. Eventually, his overprotective mother accepts his new friend and the two women find commonality in lost and suffering.

The filmmaking is pretty weak. It's like a Lifetime done poorly. There is a muddled police story, a lesbian romance, and some modern dancing. Through it all, there is a nice little friendship. Apparently, these are real people and this is their story. It's not the most compelling story but the worst problem is that it's not told in the most compelling way. The acting from the leads is not that good but it keeps coming back to the filmmaker. It's weak even for an indie.
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10/10
Loved it.
bostonrocket9 June 2020
The push and the pull in this story had me riding all the emotion. At the first moment, the intrigue caught me and I was all in. From epically sweeping cinematography, to vignettes that give space permitting the viewer to catch their breath and allow moments to sink in, I loved the dance. The threads of honest, unabashed sense from such an innocent young soul and the unsettling, painful moments that rip from a character's past crystallize an impactful poignancy the creators gently weave for the viewers to discover. This movie portrays resilience, compassion and a universal drive to love in a touching, warm plea to the viewer. The end credits show how personal a work this is for Nicole Conn. Like a gift, she shows us a bare, intimate revelation normally reserved to only a precious trusted few. It is Magnificent. The cast =>amazing.
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3/10
Well deserved win for the boy
sandymarieburns15 July 2019
The focal point of the story is the illness of the child in the film. He is a darn good actor. I wish I liked the story better.
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1/10
Parents be warned. This is NOT a family movie.
mish_mell13 June 2021
The folks responsible for this film used Cale Ferrin as bait to lure unsuspecting viewers into their trap. This is definitely NOT a family friendly film.
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3/10
Not suitable for diabetics
k_sara_sara6430 September 2021
So sickly sweet I stopped watching half way through for fear of falling into a diabetic coma or suffering heart failure from a complete overload of cheese! Embarrassingly awful to put it mildly.
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10/10
A MUST SEE!
kwiklee11 November 2019
This movie, perhaps is one of my all time favorites. In touches on so many different issues, in such an eye opening way. It's contents will open up, and steal a piece of your heart. The actors are perfectly casted for the roles they play. Cale Ferrin (Freddy), if you don't know of him...after this film, you will never forget him. He is fabulous! Zoe Ventoura (McKenzie), plays a broken women who escapes to a picturesque town to regroup after losing her mother. In this town she meets Freddy who is a precocious young special needs boy. He can't be ignored no matter how hard McKenzie tries. She finds love and strength never really knowing it was possible. Kayla Radimski (Samantha), is the mother of Freddy, she has all she can handle with the care of her special needs son (Freddy). She comes off as hard and rigid, however...you see a much softer side of her portrayed, in her beautiful visionary dance. Harley Jane Kozak (Vivienne) is the owner of the ranch, she also has many secrets hidden of her past. This movie unfolds in unexpected ways capturing your heart and attention along the way. A must see!!!
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