Broker

Name: Broker
Genre: Drama
Released: December 26, 2022
Duration: 129 min
Rating: 77
Cast: Dong-won Kang, Du-na Bae, Ji-eun Lee, Kang-ho Song

2022

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Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Neon | Release Date: December 26, 2022 | Not Rated

Starring: Dong-won Kang, Du-na Bae, Ji-eun Lee, Kang-ho Song

Summary: One rainy night, a baby is left at the baby box facility. Sang-hyun (Song Kang Ho) and Dong-soo (Gang Dong Won) secretly take it home. However, the next day, So-young (Lee Ji Eun) unexpectedly returns, looking for her baby Woo-sung. She decides to call the police when she finds out that her boy is missing. The two men’s explanation thatOne rainy night, a baby is left at the baby box facility. Sang-hyun (Song Kang Ho) and Dong-soo (Gang Dong Won) secretly take it home. However, the next day, So-young (Lee Ji Eun) unexpectedly returns, looking for her baby Woo-sung. She decides to call the police when she finds out that her boy is missing. The two men’s explanation that they took him to find suitable parents willing to adopt him is hard to believe, but with nowhere left to go, she decides to join their mission to find new parents for her boy. Meanwhile, the police detective Su-jin (Doona Bae) and her subordinate Detective Lee (Lee Joo Young) have been investigating the case for the past 6 months, waiting for the decisive moment when they can catch the duo in the act. This group of people, brought together by a baby box, set off on a journey that will lead to destinations they never expected.… Expand

Director: Hirokazu Koreeda

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 129 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Jan 2, 2023

This is a moving drama about people pushed together by fate who end up not merely helping each other survive but elevate through an increasingly harsh world. Read full review

Kayti Burt

Oct 18, 2022

Every baby deserves to be loved and taken care of, but so does every adult. Broker does an impressive job of articulating how these two truths are inextricably intertwined. Read full review

Tim Grierson

May 27, 2022

As often with Kore-eda’s pictures, Broker is about family, but it extends beyond that theme to talk about fundamental aspects of life — the need to belong, the hope of connecting with likeminded souls, and the desire to find a place called home. Read full review

Peter Debruge

May 27, 2022

Kore-eda is surprisingly generous toward his characters, nearly all of whom are breaking the law, but whose fundamental decency is brought out when dealing with others in need. Read full review

Gary Goldstein

Dec 28, 2022

There’s certainly enough potential mayhem, desperation and danger here (including the gangsters on Sang-hyeon’s tail) for “Broker” to have become a dark, propulsive action-drama, in another filmmaker’s hands. But Kore-eda focuses on — and mines — the grace notes, better angels and soulfulness of his characters in such lovely and relatable ways that we’re grateful for his humanistic, more empathetic priorities. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Jan 19, 2023

With a less probing screenplay and an amplification of the manipulative elements, Broker could have been a generic melodrama. However, Kore-eda strives for something more thought-provoking. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

May 27, 2022

The movie is fundamentally silly, with tiringly shallow characterisation and broad streaks of crime-drama intrigue, which only underline the fact that not a single word of it is really believable. Read full review

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User Reviews

Celeriacera

Apr 25, 2023

It takes us to the journey of undeniable emotional rally. All the characters have poured their heart and soul into this film and especially Lee Ji Eun (IU)as So Young shows that mothers have love for their children no matter what and has portrayed the character best and without doubt bestIt takes us to the journey of undeniable emotional rally. All the characters have poured their heart and soul into this film and especially Lee Ji Eun (IU)as So Young shows that mothers have love for their children no matter what and has portrayed the character best and without doubt best performance and A Must Watch Film!!!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Brent_Marchant

Jan 7, 2023

When we look to get the best out of life for ourselves, we often need to “broker” a deal to fulfill that goal. Which is precisely what an unlikely group of seemingly unrelated happiness seekers do in this heartbreaking and heartwarming new comedy-drama from acclaimed writer-director HirokazuWhen we look to get the best out of life for ourselves, we often need to “broker” a deal to fulfill that goal. Which is precisely what an unlikely group of seemingly unrelated happiness seekers do in this heartbreaking and heartwarming new comedy-drama from acclaimed writer-director Hirokazu Kore-eda. While the film initially hooks viewers with a scenario involving a literal interpretation of the word that comprises its title – those who deal in black market babies – it skillfully moves on to explore how we attempt to get what we want out of life by brokering circumstances to our advantage, whether or not infants are part of the equation. In taking this unexpected turn, the story shows how such endeavors have both their unsavory qualities, as well as heartfelt, sincere intentions (their inherently questionable actions and manipulative practices conveniently notwithstanding). The filmmaker accomplishes this by deftly weaving gentle humor, genuine emotion and a moving soundtrack into the narrative, taking the edge off the primary troubling story thread and adding a sense of warmth that tenderly humanizes the picture’s overall direction. Thus what may be perceived beforehand as a dark and sinister tale tactfully guides audiences down a different (and heart-tugging) path. This is perhaps one of Kore-eda’s best and most personal offerings, featuring a well-crafted script and what is arguably a cast of Korean all-stars who deliver touching and delightful performances. There are admittedly a few points in the picture where the pacing sags a bit, but they’re more than made up for by its many strengths, making for a surprisingly satisfying watch, one of the most heartening releases of 2022.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AncientAmber

Feb 25, 2023

Basically Shoplifters but not quite as good. I thought that, at times, the movie was a bit too saccharine, too feel-good considering the subject matter. It all ends a touch too neatly.

The film kept threatening to emotionally destroy me, but never quite did, and I'm not sure why. The scoreBasically Shoplifters but not quite as good. I thought that, at times, the movie was a bit too saccharine, too feel-good considering the subject matter. It all ends a touch too neatly.

The film kept threatening to emotionally destroy me, but never quite did, and I'm not sure why. The score was sometimes great, but sometimes heavy-handed. Acting ranged from good to outstanding, if perhaps a little too reserved occasionally. It may seem like I'm being a bit too critical for an 8/10, but understand that the film is quite close to being a masterpiece, but there's just a few missteps in tone and pacing that are glaring in the light of that. PS: Does Song Kang-ho ever miss?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Jan 16, 2023

The sensational aspect of this film is the "baby box," where a young woman leaves her infant to be adopted. Taking it a step further, 2 men take the baby to sell it. While this sounds like a trip into the Korean underworld, it's actually a road movie about a quartet of misfits (including theThe sensational aspect of this film is the "baby box," where a young woman leaves her infant to be adopted. Taking it a step further, 2 men take the baby to sell it. While this sounds like a trip into the Korean underworld, it's actually a road movie about a quartet of misfits (including the mother) who manage to bond. The director is Hirokazu Koreeda, whose last film was Shoplifters (my review). Some of my comments from that review work here: "The performances are reserved, yet compelling. The film is quietly paced and develops their connections with patience. Low-key by American standards, but sweetly sensitive and ultimately touching." What starts as a criminal undertaking ends up as a somewhat too talky, but eventually engaging approach to family.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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