The Broken Hearts Gallery (2020): Discovering Your Pathway

Art tells stories about moments in time.

The Broken Hearts Gallery is a 2020 film. After a break-up, Lucy is inspired to create a gallery where people can store mementos from past relationships. In this reflective journey, Lucy meets Nick, and they discover the humble influences of creating this haven.

I love The Broken Hearts Gallery. I wish I had found it sooner! Watching this movie reminded me of my zest for discovering movies. This film tracks all the right roads; yes, you will mess up, but you can always take another pathway to meet your goals.

Hands down, this is my absolute favorite Geraldine Viswanathan role. In most roles I’ve seen, she’s played the reliable and mature mom-friend. Lucy Gulliver is the total opposite. She is a hoarder to the extreme.

Viswanathan showcases remarkable depth, energy, and enthusiasm of her character. She is also really funny! She made Lucy feel real along with her growth. Creating this gallery changes Lucy’s life, helping her understand herself.

Stranger Things fans will be happy to see Dacre Montgomery as Nick. Unlike the volatile Billy Hargrove, Montgomery is the total opposite. Meeting by accident, Lucy and Nick help one another with their problems.

The film has funny characters. They’re the most realistic portrayals of young adults I have ever seen. While they may seem like your typical characters (ex, supportive best friends, couples, and adults), they are so much more than that.

Credits include Utkarsh Ambudkar, Molly Gordon, Phillipa Soo, Suki Waterhouse, Sheila McCarthy, and an ensemble of side characters who give items to the gallery. And an appearance by the talented Bernadette Peters. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her in a film.

As soon as this movie was over, I wanted to learn all about its making. The idea of the film was based on Natalie Krinsky's own life experiences. Although directing was out of her realm, she embraced the role and connected with her audience, seeking authenticity and diversity.

Krinsky worked closely with everyone, including editor Shawn Baker, to amplify the script’s emotions. Visually, the cinematography makes great use of New York’s vibrant neighborhoods and interiors, especially the gallery and the hotel.

The Broken Hearts Gallery is about love, friendship, adulthood, and careers. Not your typical art film, it focuses on the items we cherish. Now that we’re adults, we choose what we want to keep or throw away, which is harder than you think. All stories in relationships are important, and you never know who you’ll relate to and find peace.

It’s the most relatable movie about adulting. While they are adults, adulting in your 20s is a major difference. One line that struck me was ‘My life hasn’t happened yet.’ You’ve done more than you think. While the first half of your life is school, you’re still building memories, making friends, and learning lessons.

This film made me reflect on my own life. I gripped the bathroom sink when I realized that I only have a couple of months left of my 20s. I realized how much I have accomplished so far, and even doing things I never thought I would do. It’s scary, but I am looking forward to my 30s. Never be afraid to be the real you.

This movie has joined my list of favorite movies. I highly recommend it, especially since it didn’t generate enough audiences due to its limited release during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Broken Hearts Gallery is a lighthearted and hopeful movie that will resonate with young people and maybe even an older crowd.