BROKEDOWN PALACE

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: strong profanity, thematic elements

Rated:

The strength of friendship is the the bottom line that holds this powerful film together like superglue, proving that the mistakes you make in life will effect you or someone close to you. For that reason, the film is worthwhile. Alice (Claire Danes) and Darlene (Kate Beckinsale) are best friends fresh out of high school. Alice is the wild child, Darlene the more laid-back 'good girl' type. Since Darlene is about to head off to college, Alice decides to make their last summer trip one to remember. She persuades her friend to change their vacation plans from Hawaii to Bangkok, 'the land of freedom.'

The girls find the foreign country enchanting despite the heat, poor living conditions, and cockroaches. Saved from a trip to the police station for snitching drinks (at Alice's insistence) from a wealthy hotel by a young Australian, both girls are inevitably drawn in by his charm. Nick Parks (Daniel Lapaine) has it all -- money, wit, humor, good looks and an adorable accent. Darlene is smitten... and Alice, too, finds herself ensnared in his trap. Nick asks the girls to accompany him on a weekend business trip to Hong Kong and reluctantly Alice agrees. Only romance isn't what Nick has in store for them. Nearly missing their flight and arriving at the airlines just as a police wagon pulls up, the girls' bags are searched and found packed with heroin. They're taken into custody and pressured to sign their statements, which are conveniently written in Tai. Alice refuses but Darlene foolishly signs, little realizing that she has just put her name to a complete confession of drug smuggling... which could lend them twenty-five years in jail!

The girls are transferred to a woman's prison referred by the inmates as the "Brokedown Palace." Although the girls' parents are notified, there is little they can do against foreign government. This has happened before... in fact, Nick Parks has a long history of using impressionable American girls to do his dirty work for him. Desperate to get out of this sticky situation for which she's blamed, Alice contacts an American lawyer by the name of 'Yankee Hank' (Bill Pullman) living in Bangkok for help who agrees to take the case. He encourages them to write to their congressmen, the president, to priests -- anyone of influence in America to help get them out. But Hank is fueled by dollar signs... Darlene's wealthy parents are willing to put up anything to get their daughter back... but Alice comes from a modest home. And what's worse, her father believes she actually did do it. Even if Hank does get the money, the justice system is corrupt and greedy and the chances of their liberation are slim. No one knows what tomorrow may bring. 

Beckinsale and Danes are perfect in the roles and exhibit some excellent tension throughout. Bill Pullman gives a memorable performance as the seemingly heartless but eventually commendable Hank. Lapaine, seen most recently in the Hallmark miniseries The 10th Kingdom, is given room to breathe and comes across as utterly despicable. Although the film has a dark premise and elements of mild sensuality, language, and violence, the PG13 is almost unwarranted, heightened by the presence of an f-word. Content-wise, language is the most concerning but not overly offensive when taken into context. Alice briefly smokes in prison (presumed to be marijuana, as Darlene asks her if 'this is really a good time to get stoned?') and gives a guard 'the finger.' Prisoners are treated harshly, shoved down steps, and beaten with a cane. It's implied vaguely that Alice spends the night with Nick. We learn later that Nick has a history of seducing impressionable young tourists and conning them into smuggling heroin over the boarder for him. 

Alice also lies to her parents, drinks now and again, and steals on occasion, although she does pay for her crimes. Brief non-sexual backside nudity is glimpsed in the prison and the girls wear some revealing outfits. The redeeming factor of the film is that it shows the price paid for wrong actions. Alice realizes that some of the less than honest things she's done in Bangkok may effect her sentencing. Darlene learns the hard way the danger of giving away your heart too freely. The ending climax is one of self-sacrifice and hope although the film closes somewhat resolutely. It's not a happy ending, but nor is it a terrible one. The best person to watch this with would be your best friend, since it asks many selfless questions and could provoke some deep conversation.

The soundtrack features many memorable songs including one by the Christian band Plumb, and many teens will see a lot to respect in this film despite its problems. It's an eventful thriller guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat, and although mottled here and there with disappointing language, it's a good story of friendship, acceptance, and forgiveness. It also portrays the corrupt justice system of foreign governments. And while it has not the bittersweet ending of Anna and the King (also set in Bangkok), I cried at the end. If nothing else, it makes you evaluate yourself and ask, 'What would I give up for a friend?'