A bluegrass film from Belgium? That sounds like a snowflake from the Sahara, a kangaroo from Mongolia, a coconut from Siberia: something completely out of place. But in fact it works out really nicely. This is not a film about bluegrass, but a film in which bluegrass plays an important part: it supports the story. Just like in 'Oh brother where art thou', the only other film I know with a bluegrass soundtrack.

'The Broken Circle Breakdown' is about the young couple Didier and Elize. Didier seems to be an American born on the wrong continent: he drives a pick-up truck, sleeps in a trailer and considers Bill Monroe the greatest musician ever. Elize works in a tattoo parlour and looks the part. She doesn't know who Bill Monroe is, but she wins Didier's heart by draping her tattooed body, clad in a stars and stripes-bikini, over the hood of his truck.

The young lovers are happy and carefree, even when Elize gets pregnant. They call their daughter Maybelle (after Maybelle Carter) and move from the trailer to an old farmhouse. But then disaster hits and their lives are changed dramatically.

Director Felix Van Groeningen tells the story in many flash backs and flash forwards, but succeeds in not confusing the audience. In spite of the sometimes very dramatic developments and some emotional scenes the film contains many lighthearted and even funny moments. The bluegrass music blends in naturally: Didier is a bluegrass musician and Elize joins the band as the singer.

The use of bluegrass music was an idea from actor Johan Heldenbergh, who plays Didier. This well-known Flemish actor is very involved in all things American. He has even made a 'Flemish western', a no-budget film which involved all inhabitants of the village he lived in at the time. When asked by Elize what he really cares about, Didier answers: 'America. That's a country of dreamers'. But later on in the film he despises George W. Bush's decision not to allow stem cell therapy.

American politics is not the only theme the director cleverly includes in the story about Didier and Elize. Another one is religion. Didier is not religious, and cannot understand why others are. At one point, he confronts the startled audience of a bluegrass concert with his views about a supreme being. Scenes like these are a little bit over the top, but then again Didier is not an average person.

'The Broken Circle Breakdown' is a very original, heartfelt movie about exceptional people and beautiful music. Worth seeing, even if you don't know who Bill Monroe is.

It starts in June 2006 Ghent, Belgium. Elise Vandevelde (Veerle Baetens) and Didier Bontinck (Johan Heldenbergh) have little daughter named Maybelle suffering from deadly cancer. Seven years previously, they start a relationship. She has lots of tattoos and a tattoo studio. He loves American bluegrass and plays the banjo in a bluegrass band. The audience watches the relationship develop as it goes back and forth between the two time periods. Then it is rocked to its core.

I see that some people object to the turn with him railing against US stem cell politics and religion. I'm not a fanatic against controversial subject matter but I understand other people's objection. Others may also be thrown off by the sharp turn of subject matter. Personally, I saw it as the anger stage in his grief. His rants are just his uncontrolled anger. The only thing that truly caused me problem was the 9-11 on the TV. It's been done before and only gave people who are offended by the later anti-Bush rants a place to cling to. They should have cut out those 2 seconds.

It's a roller coaster of emotions as tragedy strikes the family and also the nature of the back and forth structure. The leads have a compelling chemistry. He's got his beard and she's got her tats. I think they could have more screen time with the kid. This is an interesting European film about lost and relationship. It's a little film that's worth watching.

The movie is a drama, that depicts love, life and illness. It's not an easy view overall, the drama is heavy, but there are more than a handful uplifting moments. What is either attracting or distracting though, is not the music (which you'll either love or hate I guess),but the time-line construction of the movie. So while a "movie of the week" would go traditionally about this and tell everything in a fine structure, with beginning, middle and end, but this movie mixes it up. Something to keep in mind.

The movie does have nudity and intercourse, but before you go shouting and yelling about it, there is a reason behind this, which enhances the drama and is telling a story. The structure might not be your thing, but it helps elevate the movie beyond your usual drama. The actors are really good. Depending on your mood, this is something you might wanna give a try