Movie spotlight
The Broken Rule
“THE BROKEN RULE is my reaction to the American education system, where learning blocks must be acquired by the group before any individual can progress to the next level. My film pictures learning blocks as relay races conducted by male players, where the girls are scores, and the goal is to enter the working world by the end of the game. Mike Kelley, the lead player in my film, makes a ritual out of his mistakes to escape the consequences of his mistakes. In this film, one person’s work is another person’s play, and play creates competition, a component of work.” — E.B. 1979
Insights
Plot Summary
A respected judge faces a moral and legal crisis when his son is accused of murder. Torn between his duty to uphold the law and his paternal love, he attempts to manipulate the justice system to protect his son, leading to increasingly dangerous and complex situations.
Critical Reception
The Broken Rule received mixed reviews upon its release. While some critics praised its suspenseful plot and Richard Crenna's performance, others found the story predictable and the moral dilemmas heavy-handed. Audience reception was generally lukewarm.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its tense atmosphere and Crenna's portrayal of a conflicted judge.
Criticized for a somewhat formulaic plot and predictable twists.
The film's exploration of parental duty versus legal obligation was noted but not always effectively resolved.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for 'The Broken Rule (1979)' is not readily available.
Fun Fact
Despite Richard Crenna playing a judge, he is not an actual judge and this is purely a fictional role.
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