Breaking Away (1979)
“He was as normal as pumpkin pie — and now look at him!”
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Review: … whose adventures we get drawn into right away. Dave has huge (if naive) dreams, loyal (if confused) friends, and a frustrated (albeit loving) father who doesn’t hesitate to openly criticize his son. Although some scenes are played for laughs, everything feels realistic here, from the quarry where the “cutters” (a.k.a. townies) go to swim: … to the exciting closing bike race at Indiana University. Barbara Barrie — so memorable many years earlier in One Potato, Two Potato (1964) — earned an Oscar nomination for her performance here as a supportive mother and wife who seems willing to put up with just about anything. Equally noteworthy are Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern, and Jackie Earle Haley (each with a highly distinctive personality) as Dave’s close friends; their unwavering support for one another is a refreshing throughline. Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:
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