The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
    • Shows & On demand
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Fund us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • Tumblr

  • RSS


London Film Festival 2018

The Breaker Upperers

London Film Festival 2018: The Breaker Upperers | Review
1 October 2018
Rosamund Kelby
Rosamund Kelby
Avatar
Rosamund Kelby
1 October 2018
Public screenings
11th October 2018 4.15pm at odeontcr: Odeon Tottenham Court Road
12th October 2018 4.15pm at Prince Charles Cinema
14th October 2018 9.10pm at Curzon Mayfair

Movie and show review

Rosamund Kelby

The Breaker Upperers

★★★★★

Links

TwitterInstagramFacebook

Special event

It’s looking increasingly likely that British film risks being dethroned as the reigning monarch of dry humour. And judging by Madelaine Sami and Jackie Van Beek’s new feature The Breaker Upperers, the crown is going to have to be couriered to the other side of the world. What makes this sharp kiwi comedy particularly joyous, though, is that, despite being exec-produced by Taika Waititi, the author of New Zealand’s recent cinematic success, this is a feature which places women firmly at the helm.

Jen (Van Beek) and Mel (Sami) are not your average middle-aged besties. After being two-timed by the same man and bonding over their shared disillusionment, the duo start up their own breaking up agency, which – as the title suggests – helps to give failing relationships the little push they need to fall to their inevitable death. But tampering with people’s futures comes at a cost, and when the lives of the meddling pair become entangled with those of a client – 17-year-old all-brain-and-no-brawn rugby player Jordan (James Rolleston) – and a dumpee – the lonely Anna, played at a hysterically high pitch by Celia Parcquola – the real consequences of their actions begin to catch up with them.

The directing, writing and acting duo carry the film with a chemistry and comic timing that continues to surprise throughout the movie’s entire runtime. While Jen is shameless and ruthless and cynical, Mel is naïve and childlike. Together, they don’t so much balance each other out as teeter side by side on the brink of chaos, but it’s chaos of the most entertaining order. The script is as sharp as Mel is blunt, and as witty as Jordan is witless (“you make me feel so many emoticons”). Indeed, the supporting cast are equally impressive, and delightful cameos litter the film. While Jemaine Clement (of comedy folk duo Flight of the Conchords) is one half of a less-than-satisfying sexual encounter, comedian Rose Mafateo puts in an understated yet intrusive appearance while stationed at the supermarket till, and Rima Te Wiata (Hunt for the Wilderpeople) makes the most of her limited screentime as the interfering mother still hoping for grandchildren.

One of the best things about this film is the sheer diversity of the production and its refusal to ignore the theme of race: “I don’t see colour. I mean, I do see colour; I don’t have problems with my vision”. The feature is equally self-aware in its clever use of cultural references. A pastiche to Celine Dion sees a melodramatic music video replay in nauseating neon, while a cringe-worthy hip-hop dance routine also harks back to the 90s. Rom-com tropes are dispensed and decapitated with reckless abandon.

The film does fall down slightly when it comes to some of the finer details of the plot. The moral of the story becomes a little murky, though in the hands of our offbeat antiheroes, it’s hardly surprising. Besides, the central friendship endures, and the women deliver comedy at such a fast rate that there’s barely time to question anything for want of laughing. Crass, crude and skilfully crafted, the Breaker Uppperers is a triumph of female filmmaking.

★★★★★

Rosamund Kelby

The Breaker Upperers does not have a UK release date yet.


Read more reviews and interviews from our London Film Festival 2018 coverage here
.

For further information about the festival visit the official BFI website here.

Watch the trailer for The Breaker Upperers here:

Related Itemslondon film festivalreview

More in Film festivals

“I’m only brave because I’m incredibly fearful”: Charlotte Rampling on receiving the Honorary Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement at the 69th Berlin Film Festival

Sarah Bradbury
Read More

What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael: An interview with director Rob Garver

Sarah Bradbury
Read More

An interview with Piranhas (La paranza dei bambini) director Claudio Giovannesi

Mary-Catherine Harvey
Read More

“I write my books and my articles to carry out my own revenge against those who try to silence me, to shut me out”: An interview with journalist and author of Piranhas (La paranza dei bambini) Roberto Saviano

Mary-Catherine Harvey
Read More

Berlin Film Festival 2019: Awards predictions and highlights from the festival

The editorial unit
Read More

“Frustration for creation is very good”: Director Teona Strugar Mitevska on the the local scandal that inspired God Exists, Her Name is Petrunya

Mary-Catherine Harvey
Read More

“As a director, I feel that there’s a dance where you examine social changes, and how you are to an extent sceptical or critical – that’s part of your fundamental mission”: An interview with So Long, My Son director Wang Xiaoshuai

Oliver Johnston
Read More

2040

★★★★★
Fenja Akinde-Hummel
Read More

Marighella

★★★★★
Mary-Catherine Harvey
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Movie and show review

Rosamund Kelby

The Breaker Upperers

★★★★★

Links

TwitterInstagramFacebook

Special event

Tickets

Theatre tickets

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Marighella
    ★★★★★
    Berlinale
  • Johnstons of Elgin autumn/winter 2019 collection presentation for LFW
    Fashion weeks
  • Jeremy Loops and James Hersey at the Roundhouse
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Teddy Pendergrass: If You Don’t Know Me
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Cold Pursuit
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Win Schindler’s List 25th anniversary edition on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray™
    Competitions
  • The Aftermath premiere: On the red carpet with Keira Knightly, Alexander Skarsgård, director James Kent and cast
    Cinema
  • Cyprus Avenue at the Royal Court Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Only Fools and Horses: The Musical at Theatre Royal Haymarket
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Franz West at the Tate Modern
    ★★★★★
    Art
  • The Aftermath premiere: On the red carpet with Keira Knightly, Alexander Skarsgård, director James Kent and cast
    Cinema
  • Cyprus Avenue at the Royal Court Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Only Fools and Horses: The Musical at Theatre Royal Haymarket
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Franz West at the Tate Modern
    ★★★★★
    Art
  • Shipwreck at Almeida Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre

Instagram

Something is wrong.
Instagram token error.
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Fund us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2018 FL Media Ltd

Zandra Rhodes spring/summer 2019 collection presentation | LFW
London Film Festival 2018: Wildlife | Review