Review of Breaking Away (1979) by Jack W — 03 Apr 2010

This film subtly impresses in many ways. Technically the film does not stretch itself with only a great score highlighting some beautiful sound editing. The deft use of Italian operas intertwined with the varying subplots within the film adds so much to the film.

It helps add to the uplifting feeling as you identify more and more with the film's protagonists and his supporting cast. The real power of the film lies in its ability to analyze a segment of America, at a given moment in time and to take that segment apart and deconstruct it.

You see middle America, in the grips of economic hardship, struggling with its identity in all age groups and a growing divide amongst the educated and wealthy and those that aren't either. The four youths in the film have nowhere to go, and amidst a generation of despair tell us so much about ourselves at the that time.

A window into late 70's middle America. A really good film.