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| Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: July 20, 1979 |
Starring:
Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid
Summary:
A small-town boy obsessed with the Italian cycling team vies for the affections of a college girl.
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One of the best, funniest, most surprising and likeable American films of the year. [27 Aug 1979]
The cast is unknown, the director has a spotty history, and the basic premise falls into this year's most hackneyed category (unknown boxer/ bowler/jogger hopes to become sports hero). Even so, the finished product is wonderful. Here is a movie so fresh and funny it didn't even need a big budget or a pedigree.
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Breaking Away is fast, funny and very fresh. In a surprising change of pace from the torpors of The Deep, director Peter Yates has made his most enjoyable film since Bullitt. [23 July 1979, p.71]
Director Peter Yates brings vitality to Steve Tesich's endearing script, avoiding any temptation for cheap shots. The cast is mostly unknown and awfully good, especially Dennis Christopher as a Hoosier turned Italian and Paul Dooley as his exasperated parent. [16 July 1979]
Feb 3, 2018
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
Jul 24, 2017
I'm so glad that the critics "got" this film. It's one of my 4 favorite sports films of all time, up there with Bad News Bears, Hoosiers, and Downhill Racer. I get chills every time I see the Italian race, and I get misty-eyed at the conclusion of "Little 500" - every time. Just a beautiful film.
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
Aug 6, 2017
One of the all-time classics. I get dog-faced pretty much every time I watch. It just has that authentic feel about it - nothing is contrived. Would love to see it again on the big screen.
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
May 24, 2018
Breaking away manages to do the seemingly impossible: it humanizes cyclists.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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