Not Easily Broken
Screen Gems | Release Date: January 9, 2009 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
43
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews
Positive:
3
Mixed:
11
Negative:
4
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
Entertainment WeeklyChris Nashawaty
Laughter through tears is director Bill Duke's M.O., and he hits the bull's-eye of that modest target. Read full review
63
Chicago TribuneMichael Phillips
The film is likable. Its messages, many of them Lord-oriented, are all equally heartfelt. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeWesley Morris
For most of Not Easily Broken, I wondered why the movie wasn't worse. Then I remembered it was directed by the veteran Bill Duke, who applies ample TLC. Read full review
50
Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean Axmaker
Director Bill Duke may believe the message but he never invests himself in the characters or their story, which becomes an illustrated lesson with reflective interludes and comic relief. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleJustin Berton
Unfortunately, for those who do not subscribe to the notion that God's dust smooths a marriage's rough patches, but rather hard work by people do, the message rings hollow. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterKirk Honeycutt
The actors do what they can with the cards they're dealt but can't overcome the nakedness of the dialogue or the characters' actions. Duke does ensure that the production flows smoothly though. And those frequent injections of comedy do wonders. Read full review
50
The New York TimesA.O. Scott
Mr. Duke’s filmmaking is functional at best, and the extreme shifts in emotional tone -- especially a late and disastrous swerve into tragedy -- are handled clumsily in Brian Bird’s script. Yet Not Easily Broken is not easily dismissed. For one thing, the cast is excellent, and for another, its intentions are serious and generous. Read full review
50
Baltimore SunMichael Sragow
The whole thrust of the movie is to warn black women against emasculating their men. Read full review
50
Chicago ReaderAndrea Gronvall
Based on the novel by T.D. Jakes, this is a queasy mix of comedy, melodrama, and self-help spirituality; it's meant to be uplifting, but its profamily message is undercut by its virulently misogynistic treatment of the realtor and her mother (Jenifer Lewis), both too shrewish and controlling to be believed. Read full review
50
Washington PostAnn Hornaday
Exerts an unmistakable appeal, thanks to an absorbing story and fine performances from Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesGlenn Whipp
The movie may be preaching to the choir -- and every inch of it feels like a sermon -- but it's a pretty decent homily, heartfelt and strongly delivered by a committed cast. Read full review
50
USA TodayClaudia Puig
Well-acted and involving. Read full review
50
Film ThreatStina Chyn
Coupled with decent acting but average cinematography and editing, Not Easily Broken hums more fittingly to the tune of a LifeTime television event. Read full review
40
L.A. WeeklyScott Foundas
These resourceful actors -- to say nothing of the audience -- deserve better. Read full review
38
New York PostKyle Smith
As bland as the Kenny G-style smooth jazz its hero listens to in moments of distress. Read full review
30
Austin ChronicleTheresa Everline
It's fascinating how an innocuous film can suddenly flare up into offensive claptrap. Read full review
25
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
For a film shamelessly trumpeting the importance of staying together through the hard times, Broken makes a disconcertingly convincing case for divorce. Read full review
25
TV Guide MagazinePerry Seibert
Those looking for genuine drama should probably look elsewhere. Read full review
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