Breaking Away Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A kid who thinks he’s Italian races bikes and tricks a girl into liking him, but it’s okay because everyone learns a lesson about class and honesty…and bikes.

🍿 Breaking Away: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to the Cutters

The film introduces Dave, Mike, Cyril, and Moocher, four friends recently graduated from high school in Bloomington, Indiana. They are known as “cutters,” a term for the working-class townies who historically worked in the local limestone quarries. The friends spend their days swimming at the quarry and clashing with the wealthier Indiana University students.

Dave’s Italian Obsession and Romance

Dave is passionate about bicycle racing and idolizes Italian cyclists, leading him to adopt Italian mannerisms and even pretend to be an Italian exchange student named Enrico. He meets and falls for Katherine, a college student, whom he woos with his fabricated persona. This leads to conflicts with Katherine’s boyfriend, Rod, and intensifies the rivalry between the cutters and the college students.

Disillusionment and Finding Purpose

Dave’s dreams are shattered when he participates in a race with the Italian team and they cheat, causing him to crash. He also loses Katherine when she discovers his deception. Disheartened, Dave questions his identity and future. His father, Ray, a used car salesman, encourages him to find something real to strive for, leading Dave and his friends to enter the Little 500 bicycle race.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dave Stohler (Dennis Christopher): A working-class teen obsessed with Italian cycling, who impersonates an exchange student to win over a college girl while searching for his life’s purpose.
• Mike (Dennis Quaid): A former high school quarterback, now a ‘cutter,’ frustrated by his unrealized potential and resentful towards the college students.
• Cyril (Daniel Stern): A tall, lanky, and somewhat comical member of Dave’s friend group who provides support and comic relief.
• Moocher (Jackie Earle Haley): A short-tempered and defensive member of Dave’s friend group, grappling with his insecurities and finding stability through marriage.
• Ray Stohler (Paul Dooley): Dave’s father and a used car salesman, who struggles to understand his son’s passions but ultimately offers support.
• Evelyn Stohler (Barbara Barrie): Dave’s supportive mother who encourages his passions and provides a nurturing presence.
• Katherine (Robyn Douglass): An Indiana University student who becomes the object of Dave’s affection, leading to complications and self-discovery.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dad: “I want some American food, dammit! I want French Fries!” – Ray Stohler expresses his frustration with Dave’s obsession with Italian culture and food.
• Dave: “Everybody cheats.” – Dave’s disillusioned reaction after being sabotaged by the Italian cycling team, realizing his heroes aren’t what he thought.
• Dad: “You know, you’re gonna be nothing but a stone cutter. There’s nothin’ wrong with that. It’s honest work, but that’s what you’re gonna be. You’re gonna be a cutter.” – Ray is giving his son a pep talk, urging him to find something to be passionate about and to take pride in his heritage while striving for more.
• Mike: “I’m never gonna be twenty-one again!” – Mike expresses his frustration and fear of aging and not achieving anything with his life.
• Dave: “Ciao, signorina! Come stai?” – Dave greets Katherine while pretending to be Italian.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,300,000
• Domestic Gross: $16,424,918
• Worldwide Gross: $16,424,918

💥 Breaking Away Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘Breaking Away’! It felt so real and heartwarming. I connected with Dave’s struggle to find himself and his passion. That scene where he races the truck while listening to classical music gave me goosebumps. The way the movie portrays the bond between friends is just beautiful. I walked away feeling uplifted and inspired to chase my own dreams, even if they seem a little crazy.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of coming-of-age stories”
  • “Those interested in sports movies, particularly cycling”
  • “Viewers who appreciate films about friendship and family”
  • “Audiences looking for a feel-good movie with heart”
  • “People interested in movies set in college towns”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Brief depictions of class-based conflict”
  • “Some thematic elements related to identity and disillusionment”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “A sweet, observant, and genuinely funny movie about growing up, class differences, and the importance of family and friends. The performances are uniformly excellent, and the film has a heart as big as Indiana itself. It’s a feel-good movie that earns its good feelings.
• Variety: “Charming and refreshingly original, “Breaking Away” is a must-see for audiences of all ages. With a great combination of comedy and drama it strikes all the right notes. Peter Yates directs with a sensitive touch, and the cast shines.
• The New York Times: “Breaking Away has charm and heart, but its reliance on familiar formulas keeps it from being a truly great film. Dennis Christopher shines as Dave. The racing scenes are exhilarating, and the film captures the spirit of youth and the challenges of finding one’s place in the world.

Audience Reactions

The realistic portrayal of small-town life and the struggles of finding your place resonated deeply with viewers.: Most audiences loved the film’s heartwarming story, relatable characters, and the inspiring message of chasing your dreams.

Viewers cheered during the Little 500 race, feeling a surge of pride for the underdog ‘Cutters.’: The film’s emotional impact stemmed from its ability to capture the universal experience of coming of age and overcoming adversity.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming and inspiring coming-of-age story with memorable characters and a feel-good message that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen)- 1980
2. Golden Globe (Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy)- 1980

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The term ‘Cutters’ was created for the film. In Bloomington, Indiana, the locals were known as ‘Stonies’ or ‘Stoners’ due to the limestone quarries, but filmmakers worried viewers would associate it with drug use.”
• “Steve Tesich, the screenwriter, won the Little 500 bicycle race himself while attending Indiana University, which inspired the film’s climax.”
• “Many of the extras in the Little 500 scenes were actual students and participants in the real race.”
• “Director Peter Yates wanted the film to authentically portray the working-class lives of the ‘Cutters’ and the divide between them and the university students.”

🖥️ How to Watch Breaking Away?

Breaking Away is available for purchase or rent on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your local listings for streaming options as availability may vary. Some cable providers may also offer the movie on demand.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Breaking Away, you might like these similar films:

• American Flyers (1985): Another movie centered around competitive cycling, focusing on brotherhood and overcoming personal challenges.
• Hoosiers (1986): Also set in Indiana, this film captures the spirit of small-town pride and the pursuit of a seemingly impossible dream, with a focus on sports.
• The Graduate (1967): Explores similar themes of post-graduation aimlessness and the struggle to find one’s place in the world.
• Good Will Hunting (1997): Features a working-class protagonist with exceptional talent grappling with social class and identity, finding his path with the help of friends and mentors.
• Rad (1986): This cult classic focuses on BMX racing. Just as Breaking Away romanticized road cycling, RAD does the same with BMX, capturing the freedom and rebellious spirit of the sport.

🛒 Breaking Away Related Products

• Breaking Away (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: The Criterion Collection edition features a high-definition digital restoration, interviews with the cast and crew, and insightful essays, making it a must-have for serious fans.
• Breaking Away Movie Poster Print: The official movie poster printed on high-quality paper stock. Showcases the iconic imagery of the film, perfect for decorating a home theater or fan cave.
• Breaking Away: The Junior Novelization: Relive the magic of the film with the expanded story! Great gift idea for fans and new comers alike.
• Cinelli Road Bike Model – ‘Breaking Away’ Edition: Limited edition Cinelli road bike model, painted in team colors. This highly detailed model is a perfect replica of the bikes ridden in the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Breaking Away features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Symphony No. 4 in A major (Italian Symphony), Op. 90” – performed by Felix Mendelssohn
• “The Barber of Seville: Overture” – performed by Gioachino Rossini
• “William Tell Overture” – performed by Gioachino Rossini
• “M’appari, tutt’amor” – performed by Friedrich von Flotow

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Breaking Away (2/3) Movie CLIP – Sabotage Italian Style (1979) HD

Witness Dave’s dream shatter when his Italian cycling idols resort to dirty tricks! It’s a tough scene to watch, but it really sets the stage for the rest of the movie.

Breaking Away (3/3) Movie CLIP – Victory for the Cutters (1979) HD

Cheer on the underdog! This clip captures the exhilarating moment when the Cutters finally prove themselves in the Little 500. Seriously gives me goosebumps every time.

Breaking Away (1/3) Movie CLIP – A Fight Breaks Out (1979) HD

Things get heated between the Cutters and the college kids! It’s more than just a fight, it’s a clash of cultures. Prepare for a bit of roughhousing, but the underlying message is really what hits you hard!

✨ Rate