Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Quietly moving comedy about tennis, brotherhood; language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Break Point
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Jimmy Price (Jeremy Sisto) is a middling tennis pro who can't keep a doubles partner, partly because he's rude and selfish and also because he's not serious enough about the game. When he loses yet another partner -- who winds up humiliating him and reminding him of his dwindling future options -- Jimmy decides to ask his brother, Darren (David Walton), a recently unemployed substitute teacher, to step get back out on the court with him. They have a bad history: Jimmy and Darren were once partners, too, and could have taken the circuit by storm, but Jimmy dumped his brother to team up with someone else. Plus, Jimmy thinks Darren's game is too "conservative," and Darren thinks Jimmy is "reckless." But, as Barry (Joshua Rush), Darren's former student who himself faces family troubles, puts it, Darren has nothing to lose -- he's "a single, unemployed teacher" -- by taking Jimmy's offer seriously. And that he does.
Is It Any Good?
BREAK POINT is a slow burn: Like the game it portrays, it hits lulls at moments and then rallies to a satisfying finish. Credit goes in large part to Sisto and Walton, who are convincing as brothers. They have the tense-but-love-filled dynamic down pat, as well as the competitive nature of siblinghood.
Yes, you can spot the ending a game, set, and match away -- and some plot points, like David's break-up with an ex, are dangled and discarded for apparently no other reason than inattentive editing/directing. But the movie is also watchable for other reasons, including the charming appearance of young Barry, and the tennis, which manages to persuade viewers that this is a sports movie, too, even though it was clearly made on a budget and doesn't feature any major tennis greats, or particularly impressive tennis moves.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Break Point's message. What audience do you think the movie is aimed at? How can you tell? How might it be different if it were targeted at another audience?
Talk about the relationship between the brothers. Is there one clear "villain," or are both Jimmy and Darren somewhat responsible for the disintegration of their dynamic? How do you and your siblings get along?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 4, 2015
- On DVD or streaming : March 8, 2016
- Cast : Jeremy Sisto , Amy Smart , David Walton , J.K. Simmons
- Director : Jay Karas
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Broad Green Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and sexual references
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate