Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Documentary • 2009 • 77 min

Set in a pawnshop, this cinéma vérité masterpiece tells the story of the unlikely friendship between a cynic pawnbroker and his sweet but psychopathic assistant. "Broke" is a complex, powerful cinéma vérité account of day-to-day life in a pawnshop. The documentary gives us an intimate glimpse into a world most of us luckily do not have to know. Although often as funny and surprising as a sitcom, it bluntly points to the hardships and desperation of the marginalized. As the pawnbroker states: "You don't see it in your rarefied living conditions, you don't see how the poor people live, unless you come here. Tragic, some of it."
Chris Hoard • David Woolfson
Set in a pawnshop, this cinéma vérité masterpiece tells the story of the unlikely friendship between a cynic pawnbroker and his sweet but psychopathic assistant. "Broke" is a complex, powerful cinéma vérité account of day-to-day life in a pawnshop. The documentary gives us an intimate glimpse into a world most of us luckily do not have to know. Although often as funny and surprising as a sitcom, it bluntly points to the hardships and desperation of the marginalized. As the pawnbroker states: "You don't see it in your rarefied living conditions, you don't see how the poor people live, unless you come here. Tragic, some of it."
Chris Hoard • David Woolfson
The film's empathetic portrayal of homelessness and its implicit critique of societal and economic structures that perpetuate poverty align with progressive values emphasizing social justice and collective responsibility.
The documentary features two white male subjects experiencing homelessness, focusing on their personal struggles with addiction and survival. The film's narrative does not critique traditional identities or center on explicit DEI themes, instead concentrating on the socio-economic challenges faced by the individuals.
The film focuses on the lives of two homeless men, depicting their struggle for survival and their strong friendship, which serves as a form of chosen family. It does not actively endorse or critique specific family structures or norms, but rather portrays a reality where traditional family units are largely absent from the protagonists' lives.
The documentary 'Broke' focuses on the lives of two homeless men in Glasgow, exploring their daily struggles and friendship. The narrative does not include any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes, concentrating solely on the social issue of homelessness and the personal stories within that context.
The documentary "Broke" focuses on the lives of two homeless cisgender men, Chris Hoard and David Woolfson, as they navigate life on the streets of Sheffield, dealing with addiction and their friendship. The film does not feature any identifiable transsexual characters or themes, nor does it touch upon issues related to transgender identity. Therefore, there is no depiction to evaluate.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The film is a documentary that portrays real individuals, Chris Hoard and David Woolfson. Their on-screen portrayal aligns with their actual genders, and there is no evidence of any character being established as one gender in prior sources and then depicted as a different gender.
The film is a documentary featuring real individuals portraying themselves. The concept of a 'race swap' does not apply as there are no fictional characters from source material or historical figures being re-cast.
Not depicted in the film.
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources



















