Breaking Through
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Edgy dance drama explores pitfalls of seeking Internet fame.
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Breaking Through
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What's the Story?
BREAKING THROUGH is the story of Casey Wright (Sophia Aguiar), an aspiring dancer-choreographer who dreams of becoming a YouTube star. Casey and her faithful crew -- neighbors J.J. (Jordan Rodrigues) and his step-sister, Tara (Marissa Hart); Michelle (Taeko McCarroll); and Drew (Robert Roldan) -- record themselves dancing in hopes of generating a viral video that will launch them into Internet stardom. But when young talent manager Quinn (Jay Ellis) discovers Casey's YouTube channel and approaches her about an opportunity to be backed by an investor he knows, it becomes clear his intentions are for her alone. Once Casey drops her crew to rebrand as a solo act, her friends are understanding -- but when she stops being there for them altogether, they start to worry that she's too fame-hungry to stay the Casey they know and love.
Is It Any Good?
Although the story is fairly predictable, this hip-hop coming-of-age tale offers a decent mix of dance sequences and a plot about the ephemeral nature of Internet celebrity. Aguiar, a former Britney Spears backup dancer, is believably talented (if not necessarily charismatic) enough to play a young woman who's not just hoping for her big break on YouTube but actively pursuing it. Her crew features real dancers (So You Think You Can Dance devotees will recognize alum Roldan, and Rodrigues -- of Australia's Dance Academy and ABC Family's The Fosters fame -- is particularly well cast as Casey's best friend, neighbor, and possible love interest). Rounding out the crew are Heart, a contortionist and dancer, as the youngest (and most naive) member of the crew, and McCarroll, a former America's Best Dance Crew contestant, as a senior hoping to get into Berkeley on a music scholarship.
These may not be household names, but that's not a big deal, considering that none of the original Step Up dance/actors were either, and Breaking Through's director penned one of those films. What is a big deal is that Casey isn't that appealing except when she's dancing. Not that characters always need not to be likable, but it goes a long way in an underdog story like this for the audience to feel a connection to her. Still, the dance sequences are plentiful and occasionally include cameos from YouTube dance sensations like French brothers Les Twins and Asian-American hip-hop crew Poreotics. Have no clue who anyone is? Even those who won't recognize anyone in the movie will still find Casey's journey toward stardom and back to her friends both familiar and heartwarming.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of movies about the phenomenon of Internet stardom. How does Breaking Through depict the dream versus reality of becoming a YouTube celebrity? Do you think it makes the dream seem attainable? Is it OK for kids to start their own YouTube channels?
What role does online bullying play in the film? What can teens do if they encounter cyberbullying in real life?
Talk about how the movie portrays teen drinking. What are the real-life dangers and consequences of drinking?
How does Casey change throughout the movie? What's the difference between blind ambition and a healthy drive for a better life/career/etc.?
Does the movie make you curious about YouTube dance sensations? If you're already familiar, who are some of the best dance crews to follow?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 9, 2015
- On DVD or streaming: November 3, 2015
- Cast: Jordan Rodrigues, Sophia Aguiar, Jay Ellis
- Director: John Swetnam
- Inclusion Information: Black actors
- Studio: XLrator Media
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Arts and Dance, Friendship
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 26, 2022
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