The Broken feels literally like half of a movie, and the fact that it is so well shot and executed makes that all the more painful.

The film follows Gina (the always interesting Lena Heady) a radiologist in a Paris hospital who seems to lead a somewhat normal, if emotionally detached existence. After attending her father's (Richard Jenkins, how's that for impressive casting?) birthday party with her lachrymose boyfriend Stefan (where a mirror inexplicably breaks) she spots what looks to be a doppelganger of herself on the street, follows her, then gets into an accident herself shortly thereafter.

As many have pointed out, it would be expected for the movie to start to develop a specific plot, even though at this juncture one might argue its options are limited and not very original --- it can either go the "Jacob's Ladder" way or it can go the "Body Snatchers" way.

Actually, The Broken goes NEITHER way, offering only bits and pieces of hints from which to construct mostly pointless theories. It's got some truly creepy moments and an overall very oppressive threatening mood, but it doesn't move itself along at a pace that garners much emotional involvement from the audience.

This is partially due to the fact that Gina doesn't even disclose her fears and doubts until 2/3rds of the film has passed. This also makes it difficult if not impossible for emotional engagement from the audience.

And this is what brings me pain....to have to start talking about how a film should be engaging me at the level of a subject in a test marketing screening. I said earlier that it "appeared" Gina's character was emotionally detached....but I never got a clear reading on that or ANYTHING pertinent to her character's motivations, fears, loves, etc.

This is a technically very well-made film. It's use of eerie imagery and set design reminded me at times of some of the best of Alan Parker and Adrian Lyne's films. I just wish it had engaged me and taken me somewhere I hadn't expected. It didn't.