MovieChat Forums > Breaking Away (1979) Discussion > Overrated

Overrated

posted 13 years ago by mistela67
52 replies | jump to latest

Anyone thinking this was a "masterpiece" is shallow and knows very little about cinema.

The overly simplified movie did very little to flesh out the back stories of the some of the other characters, or to present them with any real substance and motivation. Each character was defined by a few lines of dialog that represented nothing original nor enticing. The moving never developed any real tension via the plot. The story was not original, nor was it intriguing, and the ending was of the cookie cutter variety.

There was no real entertainment value. Everything was superficial and dominated by cliches and mantras. There was no evolution of characters, no real dramatic motivational cues, no sense of romance, tension, or sympathy/empathy.

Essentially, the movie didn't do anything of note. It would appeal to a certain demographic (said demographic being very obvious), but not to a broad audience.

Breaking Away certainly isn't anything special.

**Freedom of Speech = Freedom of Consequences**

[–] esskayess 11 years ago

It wasn't made to appeal to schmucks, which would explain why you hated it.

[–] Infiltr8 11 years ago

I like the film. I appreciate that you don't. I would never suggest that you have to like it.

Sail away tiny sparrow...

[–] freejazz38 11 years ago

OP, your mother was overrated. She have any kids that lived? Seriously, could you BE any dumber?

[–] horatiohellpop 11 years ago

More than 30 years after it was made, Breaking Away is still a gem. It was nominated for best picture and it won the award for Best Original Screenplay. Breaking Away didn't get these accolades because of Hollywood politics, or because it had popular actors in them, it got them because it deserved them. Paul Dooley very much deserved a nomination for supporting actor.

[–] pullman1881 11 years ago

I'm watching it again on Encore after many years and almost forgot how much I love this film. OP sounds like cut-and-paste from some film school text or from a review written by some pompous idiot. Poor guy, to not be able to appreciate this movie. It's wonderful.

[–] AtoZ2014 10 years ago

Wonderful movie! Love it everytime I see it!

Mike: They're gonna keep callin' us "cutters." To them, it's just a dirty word. To me, it's just somethin' else I never got a chance to be.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] mfitzgerald03 11 years ago

I think the OP is starting from a false premise. While I think "Breaking Away" is a very enjoyable film, I don't think anyone is suggesting that it's a "masterpiece".

[–] SunCanyonRoad 10 years ago

There is always one of these dopes on EVERY IMBD board. The typical and standard "this movie is overrated" post is always sure to inspire rebuttals of defense or support of the film in question. Look, you either like the movie or you don't and no post of OPINION, let us not forget his post isn't fact at all, it is ONLY OPINION and no matter how pompous it is it isn't going to change if you like it or not. To sum it up, every "this movie is overrated" post on IMDB is a total waste of time.

"I don't want your watch, man. I want your friendship!" - Lightfoot

[–] pullman1881 10 years ago

Boy, do I agree with you. My favorite is "I wanted to like..." So, if you don't like X TV show, don't watch it. If you tried to read, say, Girl with a Dragon Tattoo and couldn't get into it, fine. You just didn't like it. Nothing wrong with that, but I do get tired of those who criticize the fact that you liked it and that somehow that makes you stupid. I hate yellow and C&W music and liver, maybe you love them. Means absolutely nothing.

[–] cooper-29 10 years ago

Didn't this win a screenplay award? Overrated? Oh brother. One of the best movies about growing up...ever!

[–] freejazz38 10 years ago

Seriously, douche, your mom was overrated

[–] 10 years ago

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