In the story of "Breakdown," there is a fascinating premise about a career criminal killer with a conscience. The protagonist named Alfie (Craig Fairbrass) belongs to crime syndicate specializing in sadistic killings. But Alfie's breakdown occurs when he starts to have visions of the past atrocities for which he was responsible. The drama that unfolds is how Alfie must find a way to get out of the business of killing.
Sadly, the good potential of the film as a character study is overshadowed by the excessive violence. Not only were the gruesome scenes prolonged beyond the pale, but they were often not very believable. This was especially true when Alfie enlists his wife and teenage daughter into the never-ending string of killings.
There was a good cast led ably by Fairbrass as Alfie. But the filmmakers' focus on the screen violence made the film virtually unwatchable in places.
Sadly, the good potential of the film as a character study is overshadowed by the excessive violence. Not only were the gruesome scenes prolonged beyond the pale, but they were often not very believable. This was especially true when Alfie enlists his wife and teenage daughter into the never-ending string of killings.
There was a good cast led ably by Fairbrass as Alfie. But the filmmakers' focus on the screen violence made the film virtually unwatchable in places.