Bill Murray continuing to make me regret selecting Chevy Chase for my Fantasy Team

You know with writer/director Jim Jarmusch (Ghost Dog, Dead Man) that it's atleast going to interesting, and more intellectual than the premise seems, but BROKEN FLOWERS was so good it's like he arrived out of no where. It's like he saw LOST IN TRANSLATION and said 'I can do that... better.' The two movies not only share their star Bill Murray (who will unfortunately probably be forgotten again by the oscars 8 monthes from now) in a detailed and subtle master performance, but both directors give their stories time to set, to live, to just be.

BROKEN FLOWERS is one of the simplest most compact stories in recent memory, and has perfect three act structure. Act One, Murray's life is interrupted by his girlfriend leaving and a note informing he has a son. Act Two, Murray visits each on of his former girlfriends in seperate episodes. Act Three, Murray returns to his life. But that doesn't do justice to the depth the story mines. And Murray is the perfect actor for the role. He looks like he has been through hell and is only now ready to come to terms with it...he is ready to finally grow up. If RUSHMORE announced Murray's rebirth as a film actor, FLOWERS is his graduation from school. I've never been so interested in watching a man drive a car and listen to music.

And Jarmusch is responsible for that. Each individual episode with an ex is a perfect character study. Hillarious and painful. And true. You never need to know anymore you always know there are hours you could watch of each relationship and be entranced. Jarmusch knows exactly watch to put in. And after each one, you are so exhausted you need that decompression time. You need that drive in the country listening to afro-cuban jazz.

I haven't even mentioned the stand out supporting cast, especially the parade of exes - Julie Delpy, Sharon Stone, Frances Conroy, Jessica Lange, and Tilda Swinton - all of whom create such interesting characters they deserve their own movie. And the writing is funny. Very funny. And the cinematography, simple and alluring. I highly recommend this movie to anyone appreciates a good well-made movie, anyone who's ever though 'I wonder what they're doing now,' amateur detectives, and people still recovereding from the MAN WHO KNEW TOO LITTLE. Rick's Rating: A