“Breaking Away” stars Dennis Christopher as Dave, an aspiring cyclist, Dennis Quaid Daniel Stern and Jackie Earle Haley as his bumbling friends.
--Rumsey
Breaking Away
Directors: Peter Yates
Producers: Peter Yates
Writers: Steve Tesich
Features: Theatrical Trailer and TV Spots
Characters:
Dave - Dennis Christopher
Mike - Dennis Quaid
Cyril - Daniel Stern
Jackie Earle Haley - Moocher
Genre: Family
Review:
"Breaking Away" stars Dennis Christopher as Dave, an aspiring cyclist, Dennis Quaid Daniel Stern and Jackie Earle Haley as his bumbling friends. Even its sole Oscar (referenced clearly in bold on the packaging cover) hasn't floated interest in this sinker.
The trio are spending their first post-high school summer together, sharing an apprehension for their future and a rivalry for local frat boys. None of the boys plan to immediately go to college, and their peers at Indiana University, the local college, produce a source of conflict.
"Breaking Away" establishes its approach clearly as a heartwarming coming-of-age story. Though there are moments where this film may succeed in its effort, it ultimately fails as a mere exercise in formula. That, and the film's climax is spoiled by the DVD's cover.
Graduating from high school without a secured future is a fear that may be shared by many. In order to depict this widespread apprehension in film, the story, particularly its characters, must be generic enough to believe yet unique enough to make a film about. The foursome at the center of "Breaking Away" succeeds in being outfitted by this widespread fear, unfortunately they are not too interesting, nor is their story.
To be fair the film does contain its moments. Its most distinguished plot trait is Dave's obsession for biking. He is intrigued by the Italian cycling team; he mimics their training procedures and even fakes an accent to impress women. But Dave's odd liking is neither admirable nor beneficial. He is ridiculed for faking an accent (employing it in a race succeeds only to annoy other riders), and only when he eschews it can he focus on riding. Furthermore, it is not that funny, either.
My favorite sequences in the film – there are few – occur at an old quarry, filled with water. It is a unique setting to which the foursome escapes to. This reservoir houses the boys' emotions, and when it is later visited by rival frat boys, the boys defend it as a hen would an un-nestled egg. This action may be interpreted as the boys shielding their emotions: their fear and their vulnerable spirit. They are stubborn, young and disenchanted. The quarry serves to protect their inhibitions.
The extra content on the DVD does little to resurrect interest in this film. Included are TV spots and the proverbial theatrical trailer. The transfer is clean, mostly, though is largely grainy. The sound – stereo surround – is passable. The platter is also a flipper with widescreen and pan and scan versions of the film.
Films that bury teenage characters in unrealistic clichés abound, and there is an impulse to applaud "Breaking Away" for dealing sincerely with a widespread issue. However, reviewing "Breaking Away" is somewhat of a task, being that it depicts a situation that hits all too close to home. It frustrates me that the situation – one shared by and felt in myself – is completely generic.
"Breaking Away" adheres to formula so closely that it is rendered incapable of transcending the action it means to honor.
---Rumsey Taylor
http://www.notcoming.com