Breaking Away

Movie: Breaking Away (1979), Rated PG

Date Watched: April 11, 2009

Stars Your Parents May Know: Dennis Quaid and Jackie Earle Haley (bad boy in Bad News Bears and Little Children)

Recommendation: ★★★★★

Treats Served: Swedish Fish
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Summary: Breaking Away is about Dave Stohler, a local teenager, who wants to be a champion bicyclist. He pretends to be an Italian college student, but he's really a local boy who just graduated from high school. It's Dave and his lazy friends versus the rich college kids.

Review: Breaking Away is one of the best movies I've seen so far. It was inspiring, interesting and even funny. The lesson I learned was "don't give up." Dave was an amazing bicyclist and very determined. During one race, his favorite Italian team cheats and makes him lose. He goes home, rips down all his bike posters, and temporarily gives up. With the help of his friends and family, Dave decides to compete in a college race. But it's really his confidence that makes good things happen for him.

The movie made me want to compete in a bike race and try to do my best.
However, the movie wasn't all that serious. Dave's relationship with his father, Raymond, wasn't very good, but it was funny. Dave spoke Italian all the time -- even when he spoke English, he spoke in an Italian accent. This drove his father bonkers. His dad thought Dave was always happy and said things like, "When I was his age, I was tired and miserable." Then when Dave becomes tired and miserable, his dad says, "I didn't want him to be this miserable. A little is all I asked for."

There was great Italian opera too!

Watch the trailer and you decide.

Patchy's Memorable Quote: Referring to Dennis Quaid, "Does he have a hair do?" Here's a picture. What do you think?

Parent Advisory: One or two inappropriate words and high romance advisory.