Broken Frames

Author: Daniel Crooke
Location: Ohio

"Broken Frames"

Directed by Oliver Stone
Screenplay by Paul Haggis
Score by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr

Principal Cast:

Heath Ledger as John Lennon
John Cusack as Paul McCartney
John Michael Higgins as George Harrison
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Ringo Starr
Michelle Yeoh as Yoko Ono
Rainn Wilson as John David Chapman

Tagline: "The fall of a legend"

Synopsis: On December 8, 1980, beloved musician and activist, John Lennon was shot five times by fan John David Chapman. Lennon then ran into a building and said "I'm shot", and the fabled former Beatle fell. Lennon was cremated. "Broken Frames" tells the story of each Beatle and how Lennon's death affected each one. Paul McCartney was outraged and would not speak to reporters, and the only thing he said about it was "It's a drag, isn't it?". Ringo Starr was the only one to come to New York to comfort Yoko Ono, Lennon's wife. George Harrison wrote the tribute song to Lennon, "All Those Years Ago". The film tells each story of how each bandmate, and his wife, dealed with the death of their friend, bandmate, and husband. The film also shows John David Chapman's experience in jail and his way to jail. Through flashbacks and memories, "Broken Frames" shows what went on in the murder, and the way it affected the world in its aftermath.

What the press would say:

I went into the theatre thinking it would be just like "Ray" or "Walk the Line", but "Broken Frames" is like no other music film I have ever seen. This is because the film is not about The Beatles, it is about the murder of John Lennon and not the music of The Beatles. As John Lennon, Heath Ledger shines and shows the compassion for others that Mr. Lennon had. His role is limited, and is only shown in the murder and in flashbacks, but it is a powerful role. What surprised me was that although Ledger is only in the film for about 45 minutes, but Lennon's presence is there, so it really is a lead role. Michelle Yeoh is great as Yoko Ono in a supporting role. The remaining three Beatles are played by John Cusack as Paul McCartney, his best acting job to date, John Michael Higgins, of Christopher Guest's films, as George Harrison, and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Ringo Starr. John Cusack, Heath Ledger, and Rainn Wilson, of The Office, are the standouts of the cast. Rainn Wilson has an incredible dramatic turn as the murderer of John Lennon, John David Chapman. The score is done by the two living Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and is a very good one. Directed by Oliver Stone, once again showing us his talents, does a fantastic job. The film is my favorite film this Oscar season, and will be rewarded.

Nominations
Best Picture- Yoko Ono, Oliver Stone, Paul Haggis
Best Director- Oliver Stone
Best Actor- Heath Ledger
Best Actress- Michelle Yeoh
Best Supporting Actor- John Cusack
Best Supporting Actor- Rainn Wilson
Best Original Screenplay- Paul Haggis
Best Film Editing
Best Costume Design
Best Make-Up
Best Cinematography
Best Original Song- "Photograph" by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr