Some movies tell you exactly where they are headed from the beginning. Others keep you guessing. Broken Pieces falls into the latter category. Its opening act gripped me because I genuinely could not predict where the story would go, and that uncertainty became one of the film’s strongest qualities.
One of the first things that stood out to me was Oluwatoyin Adekanmbi’s performance as Bukunmi. Having mostly seen her in smaller roles, I was impressed by how she carried much of the emotional weight of the film in the opening act. Through her character, we witness a woman repeatedly battered by life’s tragedies, from the loss of loved ones to shattered hopes and dreams. Her performance gives the audience someone to connect with emotionally from the outset.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its message. It reminds us that different people face different situations, many of which cannot be easily explained. Virtually everyone encounters seasons of pain, disappointment and unanswered questions. What makes the difference is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of faith. Unlike the notion that religion is merely an opiate for difficult times, the Christian faith is a living reality that sustains believers through life’s highs and lows. Thus, we should never give up on God, because He won’t give up on us. Often, when God seems farthest away, He is actually closest to us.
Another element I appreciated was the recurring presence of the singing minstrel. With his sonorous voice appearing at strategic moments, he seemed to represent God’s presence in the midst of life’s troubles, reminding viewers of Christ’s promise that tribulation would come, but that He would remain with us through it all.
That said, I believe Broken Pieces had even greater potential than what eventually appeared on screen. To a degree, it feels like two movies combined into one. Just as Bukunmi’s story appears ready to enter its second act, she largely disappears from the narrative and the focus shifts to Fola’s journey. There is nothing inherently wrong with parallel storylines, but both arcs demand significant attention, making the film feel divided between two protagonists.
The issue is compounded by the attention given to secondary characters and subplots. The Honourable’s storyline, for example, feels disconnected from the film’s emotional core and receives time that might have been better spent on developing Bukunmi further. Likewise, a few scenes feel as though they are searching for a place within the larger narrative. A more focused storytelling approach would have strengthened the overall impact of the movie.
From a technical standpoint, I noticed that some of the dialogue was difficult to hear due to low audio levels. The sound design could also have been more active and intentional in elevating key scenes and emotional moments. In publicity, a clearer poster picture would have helped too.
There is also a theological question that lingered with me after the credits rolled. The tension between Bukunmi and her mother, alongside the prediction that initially separated them, leaves room for interpretations that perhaps needed greater clarity. One wonders whether the narrative unintentionally grants too much credibility to the herbalist’s divination.
Nevertheless, Broken Pieces remains a sincere and heartfelt production. As in Matthew West’s song of a similar title that says: “So lift them up to Me…All the broken pieces of your life…Let Me carry you, I will take your pieces, And put them back together”, this movie is a reminder that remains powerful: no life is beyond God’s ability to restore.
The link to the movie https://youtu.be/JLv2ujbaE78?si=iZHdDpojL7fm1NLt
Till the next review, stay blessed!
Film Credits
BROKEN PIECES (June 10, 2026)
97 minutes
His Delight Films TV
Cast
Oluwatoyin Adekanmbi as Bukunmi
Timmy Adebola as Fola
Seun Adejumobi as Dr Dan
Chioma Chukwulotam as Simi
Crew
Screenplay
Toyin Festus-Hunvenu
Directors of Photography
Laide Bello and Adeyemo Samuel
Editor
OjoOluwa Akinyetun
Director
Toyin Festus-Hunvenu
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