Breaking Away (DVD, 2002, Academy Awards Collection)

Classic comming of age movie. Launched Quaid's career. Probably the best movie he ever made. Perfect example of how a group of small town, underated locals can come together and show up the showboaters.

Breaking Away has NO GUNS, NO EXPLOSIONS, NO SPECIAL EFFECTS, but there is a bowling ball, a rolled up towel, and a thrift store bicycle that provide plenty of excitement.

Thankfully there are no computer generated, exaggerated or overenhanced scenes in Breaking Away. Watching this 1979 film about a small town family and their son's friends dealing with the next phase of their lives after high school is time well spent. In a strange way this film reminds me of the original Star Trek television show. The four recently graduated high school students hang together in a small midwestern town as they try to blend in with the hordes of College Students who descend upon their fair city. Known as "townies", the college crowd could easily pass for clean cut versions of Klingons who according to Cyril "All wore Brut after-shave and reeked of Lavoris". There can no denying that Cyril is a Midwest 70's version of "Spock", sans Spock's superhuman strength. However Cyril does seem capable of superhuman strength when he has a bowling ball at his side. Cyril's deadpan, comical, and deadly accurate observations are perfectly spaced out throughout the entire movie. They rival Spocks proficiency with mathematical computations and gently let us in on the deeper meanings of the movie without hitting us over the head with a frying pan, and Cyril isn't even the lead actor in this movie!

Probably one of Breaking Away's biggest strengths is that almost everyone will identify with at least one of the 7 most prominent characters.

The few romantic scenes in this movie are shockingly effective considering that nobody removes any clothing. Perhaps true romance in movies is never more effectively portrayed than when prospective lovers are constrained by friends and coed's who chaperone from nearby.

The transition from High School to College is the central theme of this movie, as is Mom and Dad deciding if they are entering their golden years and heart murmurs, or yikes, reliving their honeymoon times. One of the most poignant scenes in this movie involves father and son walking the hallowed grounds of the local college campus that dad helped build when he worked in the rock quarry years earlier, yet now his own son doesn't feel good enough to attend.

Even the bicycle race at the end of the movie simply sets up a powerful but completely subtle moment. Blink and you'll miss a poignant after race reaction shot of Cyril, who in that one reaction shot reveals the entire meaning of the movie. Yes, even the long awaited race really wasn't about the race.

The ensemble cast features many actors who perhaps had their break out role in this film including Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern, Jackie Earle Haley, Barbara Barrie, Paul Dooley, and Robyn Douglass. I had forgotten that Breaking Away actually was nominated for several Academy Awards!

Directed by Peter Yates from an Academy Award Winning Script by Steve Tesich, I find myself watching this movie whenever I accidentally stumble upon it on television. If you decide to see this film, deactivate your cell phone, turn down the lights, and let the story take you over. This film won't take your breathe away, but perhaps you will find it difficult Breaking Away from this movie.

In my opinion, Breaking Away is one of the best "G-Rated" movies ever made for adults.

i remember watching this movie wehn i was little with my dad. i didnt remember the name of it or really anything else other than the race scene when the italians come to town. years later, i woud meet a girl who suggested we rent the movie thinking i had never seen it before. i was so happy to realize what it was. dennis quaid, daniel stern, jackie earl hayley all very young. daniel stern is ripped like crazy in this movie!!

a great story about 4 young friends just out of high school in a small town unsure of their futures. how much more do i need to say? haha. truly a great movie. based on a true story also. rent it if you want, but i believe this is a movie everyone should own. i bought it to throw in as one of the graduation presents for my girlfriend (the girl who suggested we rent it almost 4 years ago)who recently finished college.

see this. you will not bve dissapointed.

This a good movie. It is light hearted and funny. Even if y0u are not into bike racing and alike the movie is still fun to watch. As always the good guys win in the end. I would like to watch it over and over again--much fun.`

The story and the characters make this one of the best movies of its time. It revolves around a bunch of friends who have decided to "do nothing" together since they have graduated high school.

The friends live near the campus of the University of Indiana and resent the college kids who resent the locals for being locals, or "cutters".

Some of the friends hold on to the past as others gradually start wanting to move on and see what life has in store for them.

The ending is outstanding.

If you think you enjoy cycling, racing, touring, whatever!

You should own this flick.

If your young, and think old movies suck, well.... ask a friend, they'll tell you guy it too.

Now, let's ride.

Great movie!
One of the greatest"underdogs"to win best picture Oscar.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa

Great Movie, about a real town. A story of the underdog who works so hard to fulfill his dream! The story gives you a feeling that if you have a dream you should go for it!!! A+

"The Italians are coming!"

nice item blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blha mana is baby and so small and cute tona don't be a bad baby please please please

Although I purchased and paid for this item, After 30 days I am still waiting for the item to be shipped. Unfortunately, the seller has been kicked off of ebay due to the large amount of people she scammed out of money. This in no way reflects the DVD, which has excellent reviews. I will wait and see if I can purchase another one from an honest and trusted seller.

As bike racer, I was immediately attracted to this film. This film was released just about the time that I was first becoming involved with bike racing while living in Germany. I actually did not see the film until I returned to the States. I really identified with the whole bike racing scene and most all of the characters were likeable. I liked how bike riding was depicted and how it worked out as a positive influence in the characters lives. When I saw it out on DVD, for a very reasonable price, I bought it! A very good addition to my families collection.
Thankyou,
rdmountaingoat

It is a biking centered movie from my youth. It brings back good memories. I had an old copy on vhs and just wanted to upgrade to DVD. Fun old movie

Breaking Away is a classic. Not only is it a great cycling movie, but it is also a great snapshot of America not that long ago.

I bought this DVD because my boyfriend bikes. He participates in road racing, and this is one of the only movies made about his sport. The price was great, so I decided to get it for him as a surprise. It was new in its package as described. It was a great deal and he really liked it!

Breaking Away holds its own as a highly entertaining movie even after several years. It is also a great "feel good" movie.

It is about growing up and the changes that come with the end of High School. My kids are close to that time and this help them see they always need to work on the who they will be in the future.

This is one of the finest examples of how movies should be made. Great acting, wonderful and heartwarming story, you laugh, you cry, and all without special effects. And that isn't only my opinion, as it won an oscar.

Classic - every teenager should see this. It is a very well done movie and everyone I know who has seen it loved it. I bought this for my 12 year old nephew.