Breaking Away

  • Review Date: June 26, 2007
  • PG
  • Genre: Drama
  • 1979
Review

Common Sense Media says

Rousing bicycle race story is a family favorite.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

AGE
10
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this tale of redemption offers a lot in the way of scary, tense, and violent scenes. While no one gets critically injured, there's lots of fighting. Some kids may also want to imitate the dangerous things characters do in this film: Dave doesn't wear a bike helmet, use a bicycle headlight at night, or wear reflective clothing; he races in front of cars on a red light. During a bicycle race, a cyclist puts a bike pump in the spokes of Dave's wheel, causing him to crash. Dave races while injured.

  • Positive messages3
    Dave escapes into an Italian fantasy world and pretends to be Italian because he doesn't think the girl he likes will like him as he is. There's a lot of class tension, with college kids making fun of the working-class "cutters." In the end, Dave learns to be himself and to pursue his dreams despite discouragement and sabotage from those who are threatened by him.
  • Violence3
    A lot of fighting and threats of violence between Dave and his friends and the local snobby college guys. Mike initiates a cafeteria-wide brawl after some college guys beat up Cyril off-screen. Lots of punching and kicking. Some blood is seen but no one is seriously injured. There are also some bike-related injuries: bruises, cuts, bleeding, and a near-miss with a car. During a swimming race, Mike hits his dead on a rock and almost drowns. Katherine slaps Dave.
  • Sex0
    Dave and Katherine kiss once.
  • Language3
    Several swear words are used, including "s--t," "hell," "t-ts," "goddamn," "bastards," "son of a bitch," and "dammit." Characters also call others "retard," "p---y cop" and "s--thead."
  • Consumerism3
    The guys pass and comment on a very large billboard for Marlboro cigarettes.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Mike pretends to smoke cigarettes but doesn't. Others do smoke.
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What's the story?

Dave and his friends have just graduated from high school. While his buddies amuse themselves by swimming in the rock quarry, Dave has bigger plans. Having won a racing bicycle, Dave has dedicated his life to learning to race it. He reveres the top racers in the Italian team from Cinzano so much he speaks in a cheesy Italian accent, listens to Italian music, and irritates his former stone-cutter father by calling him "papa" instead of "dad." While Dave's Italian act woos college girl Katherine, his dedication to his new identity isn't enough to get him noticed by the Cinzano team. Disillusioned -- with snobby, bullying college kids there to rub it in -- he feels like he has a lot to prove to get the respect he deserves.

Is it any good?

 

There are some wonderfully realistic touches to BREAKING AWAY. Anyone who's spent any time with teens knows they try on new identities like new outfits. But it's rare to see a film that shows a teen so deeply in the thrall of his latest obsession -- without it becoming something sinister or dangerous. Like the fact that there's no gratuitous nudity or sex in the film, Dave's love of cycling is innocent and pure. He's a character you can root for who still seems real. It makes this cycling movie much more than a good sports movie -- though it's that, as well. It's no surprise that Breaking Away won the Oscar for best writing, and was nominated for four more, including best director and best picture.

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What families can talk about

Families can talk about why Dave felt the need to pretend to be someone he's not. Do you ever feel like doing that? When is that good and when could it be harmful? Do you know people who pretend to be someone they aren't?

This review was written by Heather Boerner
Teen, 16 years old
November 5, 2009
AGE
10
 
Love it!
I love this movie! My humanities teacher showed it to me, and I absolutely love it! I guess the fighting scene with Mike and Dave at the quarry is a bit intense, but they make up quickly. Also, Mike hits his head on a rock and appears to be falling unconcious. It gives good messages, like being who you are, and embracing your life and the reality. Mild language use.
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Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
 
BEST MOVIE ABOUT INNDY(+the only :-))
I absolutely ♥♥♥ this movie! I guess language is an issue but it just makes me laugh harder! The end part is SO funny i can't put it into words!!! Parents w/ children: under 12 should watch it 1st but don't be harsh!!!! this movie rox my sox!
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Helped me decide (8) | Had useful details (5) | Read my mind (5)
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Kid, 11 years old
November 18, 2011
AGE
11
 
Best ever!
This movie is the best! It was filmed were i live! It has a happy ending, and its about following your dreams and getting a good education. Their is violence and bad lauggage though.
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Helped me decide (5) | Had useful details (6) | Read my mind (5)
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Kid, 13 years old
February 7, 2011
AGE
10
 
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Helped me decide (5) | Had useful details (5) | Read my mind (6)
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This review was written by Heather Boerner
Topics:sports and martial arts
Studio:Twentieth Century Fox
Director:Peter Yates
Cast:Daniel Stern, Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid
Genre:Drama
Run time:100 minutes
Theatrical release date:July 20, 1979
DVD release date:January 29, 2002
MPAA rating:PG
This review was written by Heather Boerner
 

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ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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