Dark, sexy and drug-addled, Broken is rock star Dave Navarro's first foray into hardcore. The result is an original feature packed with performances hot enough to rival efforts by directors with far more experience. The performers give it their all, and Navarro employs a host of camera experts like Axel Braun and Ethan Kane to handle filming duties and ensure that the erotic vision is captured with professional grace.

Sasha Grey plays a disturbed youth thrust into the porn spotlight on the heels of a brutal relationship - and at the end of a needle. Mark Davis plays her significant other, a dictatorial lover who spends the better part of their quality time stepping on her head, shoving his hand down her throat, spanking her between the legs, slapping her face and choking her until her eyes bulge and tears stream down her face. While Sasha Grey the porn star puts on a noteworthy performance with Davis - who takes to his role effortlessly - Sasha Grey the character is moved to rage.

Sasha's rage first comes out erotically, as she steps onto Navarro's set - a movie within a movie. In one part of the studio, Spyder Jonez drills Victoria Sin. Elsewhere, Jenna Haze shows off her oral skills with Tommy Gunn. Lisa Daniels and Kayla Paige, meanwhile, take turns burying their faces in between one another's legs. And Sasha walks on set, finds Marco Banderas holding a camera and commandeers him for a POV scene. When Sasha has finished with Banderas, she makes the rounds through the studio, lending a hand to the other performances that are simultaneously being shot.

Sasha's rage continues to unfold when the three-ring hardcore circus is complete and she returns home to Davis. She enters with shotgun in hand and palpable angst.

Navarro delivers a product that's gritty, dirty and sexually charged. As well, the cinema vérité style gives the release a unique, you-are-there sheen.
Pre-nom: Best Director - Non-Feature.

Retailing: The novelty of Dave Navarro as porn director is, in itself, a huge selling point. The fact that Navarro's first effort is so good and has something worthwhile to say should give this title serious legs. Fans of alt, the rough stuff and pop culture crossovers should take note.