Broken Flowers

You don't need another list of "underrated comedies" — Broken Flowers earns the label on its own. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch it for Bill Murray — stay for everyone else around them. Start it whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Broken Flowers is worth clearing space for. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Broken Flowers from the crowd. An introverted man receives an anonymous letter from an ex-lover informing him that he has a son who may be looking for him. A freelance sleuth neighbor motivates the man to embark on a cross-country search for his past flames, seeking answers. Bill Murray and Sharon Stone lead a cast with the timing to make it work. It hit screens in 2005. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Broken Flowers holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in Broken Flowers. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Bill Murray is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.

Broken Flowers was released in 2005, directed by Jim Jarmusch. The full 106-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.