James Franco,
Michael Shannon,
Stacey Miller,
Dave Franco,
Vince Jolivette
... see more 
From Focus World and director/star James Franco, a film about visionary poet Hart Crane, who lived a life of beauty, passion, and tragedy. Hart Crane was one of the most important voices in American p... read more
DVD Release Date: March 27, 2012
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Stats: 27 reviews
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Flixster Reviews (27)
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November 12, 2012This look at the brief life of troubled American poet Hart Crane is a real one-man show as its star James Franco also serves as writer, director, producer, and editor. While this isn't his debut as a director, it is probably his most well-known effort behind the camera.
It's al... read more -
August 5, 2012I'm always amazed when films made about intellectuals have little to no intellectual content. The starkness of that contrast startles and befuddles me every time. It also stuns me how often this happens. The latest example is James Franco's "The Broken Tower," which focuses on av... read more
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February 20, 2012The Truth is Indecent.
Fail
This is James Franco's failed attempt in directing, producing and acting.
In this slow endless film, Franco tries to highlight the melancholic life of American poet Hart Crane.
Franco tries his best to make an art film, but ends up ... read more -
January 20, 2012Hart Crane: We all know life is a dance of death, but we can still make something of it.
The Broken Tower had a noble premise surrounding the short life of American poet Hart Crane, who is played by James Franco. Not only that, the film was written and directed by Franco, and wh... read more
Critic Reviews
April 28, 2012
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
April 27, 2012
Farran Smith Nehme, New York Post
The technique - and this movie is about nothing if not technique, both Crane's and the filmmaker's - isn't particularly successful. Full Review
April 26, 2012
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Despite earnest attempts, Mr. Franco can't bring the fervency of Crane's poetry to life in the extensive recitations. Full Review
April 25, 2012
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
It's a pensive and heartfelt movie, assuming that you let yourself get caught up in its moody-minimalist, more-visual-than-verbal style. Full Review
April 24, 2012
Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York
The Broken Tower feels unique as a young man's tribute to an adventuresome, doomed soul. Full Review
February 23, 2012
John Anderson, Variety
Though clearly besotted with Crane's poetry, the writer-director-star never achieves full immersion in the man's life or work; the sense is of people playing a very cerebral game of dress-up. Full Review
June 23, 2011
Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter
Not a heady experience like many of the semi-experimental 1960s films he emulates. Instead, it's mostly a tedious chore, much akin to listening poetry you don't much like. Full Review
April 27, 2012
David Noh, Film Journal International
Ah, James Franco: actor, director, writer, conceptual artist, soap opera star! What can't he do? Answer: Make a cohesive, coherent film about a great American writer. Full Review
April 24, 2012
Matthew Connolly, Slant Magazine
James Franco's film is tonally flat and a little too impressed with its own elliptical construction. Full Review
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Broken Tower
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