THE BROKEN HEARTS GALLERY

US, 2020, 109 minutes, Colour.

Geraldine Viswanathan, Dacre Montgomery, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Molly Gordon, Philippa Soo, Suki Waterhouse, Arturo Castro, Sheila McCarthy, Bernadette Peters, Nathan Dales.

Directed by Natalie Krinsky.

No surprise if this is an emotional, sometimes sentimental while tough, drama for 20 somethings.

The central character, Lucy (Geraldine Viswanathan from Newcastle) is a victim of her relationships, dwelling on the past, keeping souvenirs of her exes. She has two roommates, tough in their advice to her, one having a relationship with her boyfriend who is continually looking at his mobile phone, speaking only at the end! The other is exploring lesbian relationships. Lucy works in a Gallery managed by Bernadette Peters in a rare film performance. And Lucy is involved with one of the experts at the gallery.

Asked to speak at the opening of an exhibition, Lucy has a collapse when she sees her boyfriend with his ex. She drinks, climbs into a car thinking it is an Uber, pours out her life to the driver, Nick. She later encounters him in a bar where he rescues her. Nick (Dacre Montgomery from Perth) is renovating a building as a hotel. Lucy is interested, hangs one of her relics on the wall and calls it the Broken Hearts Gallery, publicises this on social media with the result that many contribute their mementos, and some finance.

Lucy works with Nick, taking for granted their developing friendship. In the meantime, she has her ups and downs with her former boyfriend who approaches her again, but she has the strength to break off the relationship.

There is a breakthrough when the director of the gallery invites her, after sacking her, to bring the Broken Hearts Gallery to the main gallery for an exhibition.

There are some complications with Nick, his not getting a loan to finish the renovations, working with a friend, Marcos, whose girlfriend is pregnant. There are further complications when Lucy misjudges Nick and his past relationships.

And am ending with a highly dramatic declaration of love, backed by the audience at the opening.

The main characters in the film are women – but there is a place for sensitive men.

1. The title, overtones? The idea of the gallery, the development, as an installation for an art gallery? The emotional dimension, those who contributed, the experience of break-ups and sadness?
2. The New York story, the city, the streets, art galleries, renovations? The musical score?
3. The three friends, Lucy, Amanda, Nadine, roommates, the conversations, issues? Amanda and her relationship with Jeff? His mobile phone, barely speaking until the end? Nadine and the lesbian relationships? Lucy, relationships, failures, relics of past relationships in her room?
4. Lucy and the relationship with Max, his going back to his ex, seeing him at the gallery, her work at the gallery, Eva Woolf asking her to introduce him, Lucy berserk, drinking, getting in Nick’s car, telling her story, his driving her home, her reaction? The morning after, Max, and her being fired?
5. Lucy, in the bar, the encounter with Nick? His place, the Chloe Hotel, his plans, renovating? Lucy and the relic of Max, her hanging it on the wall? The beginning of the gallery?
6. Lucy, enthusiasm for the renovations, meeting Marcos, his work for Nick, their friendship? The work in the renovation, the gallery, social media, the contacts, popularity, contributions, financial?
7. Nick, his personality, quiet, helping Lucy, working with her? The difficulties of the loan? Paying Marcos?
8. Lucy, the encounters with Max, advice, her friends, his approaching her, her breaking with him? Freedom?
9. The decision to take Nick to visit her mother, her mother’s dementia, flirting, the dance, Lucy wanting Nick to understand her background?
10. Nick, the story about the name of Chloe, the visit, Lucy and her being upset, walking out, her friends attacking Nick? The true story about Chloe and her leaving Nick?
11. Max and Eva Woolf, Eva’s story, the gallery, response to Lucy, commissioning her to bring the gallery to her own?
12. The work of the transfer, setting up the Broken Hearts Gallery? Ready for the opening?
13. Nick, the failure of the loan, the news that he had received alone? The later explanation?
14. Nick, talking with Marcos and his girlfriend, their going to the opening, is buying the Broken Half neon, through the streets, into the opening, Lucy’s speech, declaration of love, the audience shouting with Nick?
15. Lucy, the talk with Eva, leaving the past behind, clearing the relics? Happy endings all round?