20 Years Ago, Bill Murray Gave One Of His Most Impressive Performances In This Jim Jarmusch Dramedy

Bill Murray is such a legendary, trailblazing force of comedic nature that the greatest challenge that he faced in his late career was being taken seriously. Although Murray had shown early on in his career that he was interested in taking on dramatic roles, audiences found it difficult to differentiate him from the comedic persona that he had made famous ever since his debut on Saturday Night Live. Murray may have earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance in Lost in Translation, but it was unclear if this was simply a novelty within the late period of his career. However, Murray gave an oddly reflective, darkly amusing performance in the award-winning dramedy Broken Flowers from writer/director Jim Jarmusch.

Murray had previously appeared in Jarmusch’s underrated anthology film Coffee and Cigarettes, and it made sense why the two would be interested in working with one another again; like Murray, Jarmusch has a defiant streak in Hollywood, and has earned a reputation for being enigmatic due to his very strange sense of humor. Murray’s greatest strength is his ability to intertwine characters with his own personality, and Broken Flowers forced him to play an older, soul-searching character who questions his own livelihood. Broken Flowers is a powerful film about regret and reflection, and it’s made even more powerful thanks to Murray’s excellent performance.

What Is ‘Broken Flowers’ About?

Murray stars in Broken Flowers as the former technology investor Don Johnston, whose small fortune has allowed him to retire peacefully in seclusion from the rest of society. Although Don was once a very charismatic womanizer, he has grown less active in his later years, as he prefers to watch old movies and relax in his home. However, Don’s seemingly perfect life begins to crumble when his current girlfriend, Sherry (Julie Delpy), decides to end their relationship; he later receives a message from an unidentified ex-girlfriend, who tells him that he has a son who is now nineteen years old. Although Don does not feel motivated to go out looking for his child, his neighbor Winston (Jeffrey Wright) encourages him to begin developing an investigation. After Winston identifies five potential ex-lovers that could have sent the letter, Don sets out on a road trip adventure to reconnect with the son that he never knew.

Broken Flowers uses the structure of a noir film, as Don is forced to question what the motivations of his ex-girlfriend is, and why it has taken her so long to tell him about something of this importance. At the same time, Don is forced to reflect on his own experiences, as he begins to understand that he would not have been a successful father had he learned of his son’s existence even a few years prior. As Don goes one-by-one to meet the different women that he was once in relationships with, the film begins to unpack his personality, showing why he was never able to remain with them for a significant period. Even if it initially seems like Don has the epitome of privilege, it’s revealed that he’s rather sad and lonely, as he regrets not ever committing to anyone or anything. While it may be a bit unusual to see Murray play such a complex, emotionally stunted character, Jarmusch crafted a role in which Don’s self-deprecating humor fits perfectly. It’s also a perfect role for Murray, given that Don is still living in denial. Despite evidence to suggest that he needs some therapy, Don refuses to admit any wrongdoings and insists that he’s doing fine.

‘Broken Flowers’ Is One of Bill Murray’s Most Reflective Performances

Broken Flowers has a unique structure that allows Murray to give a layered performance depending on which of Don’s ex-lovers he is meeting. Over the course of his journey, Don reconnects with the designer Laura (Sharon Stone), the threatening realtor Dora (Frances Conroy), the “animal communicator” Carmen (Jessica Lange), and the resentful loner Penny (Tilda Swinton). Since Don was emotionally reclusive in his relationships with these women, he has to transform his personality in order to reconnect with each of them, as he must feign interest in their lives in order to determine who actually sent the letter. Each interaction forces Don to question what his life would have looked like had he settled down, and gives him a talented co-star to match wits with. Although Don has hung on to the belief that he would never be happy in a relationship, the film suggests that his self-imposed exile is nothing to be celebrated, as he is scared of actually having to empathize with someone else.

Broken Flowers has both the absurdity and profundity of a Jarmusch film, as the bizarre situational comedy eventually leads to some moving insights about people’s capacity for second chances. Although Don is a character whose self-serving ignorance is played for laughs, Murray is such an innately charming actor that it’s still easy to root for him to be better. Jarmusch won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival for Broken Flowers, but the film is not always recognized when talking about Murray’s best work. Considering that he reteamed with Jarmusch for the zombie comedy The Dead Don’t Die, Murray is hopefully aware of what a unique achievement he pulled off with Broken Flowers.