Review of Breaking Away (1979) by D. Aaron S — 22 Apr 2008

A really good inspirational movies, about four downbeat townies (here called "cutters"), who all start feeling like their lives are going nowhere, who find inspiration when one of them forms a passion for bike racing and Italian culture.

There's also this rival element between the townie's and the college students, as the townies are somewhat envious of the college students. I will say, while this was a very good movie, the one thing I personally didn't like was the main kid's parents.

I don't know, they just seemed overdone to me, like they tried to hard for the "my parents don't understand me" angle. And there are a few other cheesy moments as well. But other than that, this film has a good script (which one an Oscar), and good characterizations.

Dennis Quaid plays one of the townies, as does Daniel Stern (Home Alone) and Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children). Look closely for one of my favorite actresses of the late 70s/early 80s P.J. Soles (Halloween, Rock N' Roll High School, Carrie, Stripes) as a sorority sister.

It's not too strange that she was here, considering she was married to Dennis Quaid at the time.