Breaking Away (1979)

[Alpe d'Huez]

Some more factoids. The original script had an alternate title of The Bambino, and in it Dave's character was even more Italian-obsessive, nearly always speaking with an Italian accent, slicking his hair back, wearing silk shirts and leather jackets. This was viewed as too absurd by many, and the character was cut back some. I believe Dennis Christopher said he couldn't do it that radical either, but he was seamless with the bad opera and fake Italian accent scenes.

Peter Yates who directed the film passed away last month.

A favorite scene:

Cyril: It's Mooch Dave, you have to stop him.

Dave: Why?

Cyril: He's getting a job.

Dave: So?

Cyril: HE'S GETTING A JOB!!!

 

[movingtarget]

Another great film by the same director as a Sunday in Hell is Stars and Watercarriers. It follows the 1973 Giro where Eddy crushes all.

My favorite scene of any cycling movie, though, is (if I remember correctly) from La Course en Tete. It shows Eddy walking upstairs to his attic and getting on his rollers. He starts riding and the pool of sweat under the bike just grows bigger and bigger until it's a lake. Classic!

All interesting films. It was good to see some great riders from the sixties and seventies like Fuentes, Gimondi, Thevenet, Ocana, De Vlaeminck, The Cannibal and his Molteni team mates among others.

 

[StyrbjornSterki]

Refund?! Refund!?

I love that movie. It's a lighthearted look at a young man with the bicycling bug who was cursed to being born into a blue collar midwestern family (and community) that just doesn't see bicycling as something that responsible that adults do. If you're just now catching on, I have to presume you're too young to understand some of the "bicycle culture" references. There's stuff in that movie you just can't grasp the significance of unless you're a gear head from way back.

Like when Dave is rebuilding the crummy AMF bicycle (house brand for Western Auto, IIRC) given him for the Little 500. First they show him lovingly rebuilding the BB, a loose ball bearing BB no less, then lubing his chain. The old school way to lube your chain was to remove it from the bike, clean it and submerge it in molten paraffin. The wax was great lube but a PITA to apply. If you're not an old-time gear-head, you'll just watch that scene and wonder why he's cooking his chain. If you do understand, you're one of the anointed. It's like knowing the Masonic handshake.

My favorite scene,

Dad emerges from the bathroom with a dejected/confused look on his face.
Evelyn: "What's the matter?"
Dad: "He's shaving!"
Evelyn: "Well, so what?"
Dad: "His legs ...he's shaving his legs!"


The same guy who wrote Breaking Away (best bicycling movie ever), btw, also wrote the worst piece of crap bicycling movie ever made, American Flyers.

No it's Dave's dad riding his new ten-speed and doing the double-take when his kid calls out, "Bonjour, Papa!"

NO. Bounjour - NO. Bonjour is French. Buon giorno is Itey.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Refund?! Refund!?

I love that movie. It's a lighthearted look at a young man with the bicycling bug who was cursed to being born into a blue collar midwestern family (and community) that just doesn't see bicycling as something that responsible that adults do. If you're just now catching on, I have to presume you're too young to understand some of the "bicycle culture" references. There's stuff in that movie you just can't grasp the significance of unless you're a gear head from way back.

Like when Dave is rebuilding the crummy AMF bicycle (house brand for Western Auto, IIRC) given him for the Little 500. First they show him lovingly rebuilding the BB, a loose ball bearing BB no less, then lubing his chain. The old school way to lube your chain was to remove it from the bike, clean it and submerge it in molten paraffin. The wax was great lube but a PITA to apply. If you're not an old-time gear-head, you'll just watch that scene and wonder why he's cooking his chain. If you do understand, you're one of the anointed. It's like knowing the Masonic handshake.

My favorite scene,

Dad emerges from the bathroom with a dejected/confused look on his face.
Evelyn: "What's the matter?"
Dad: "He's shaving!"
Evelyn: "Well, so what?"
Dad: "His legs ...he's shaving his legs!"


The same guy who wrote Breaking Away (best bicycling movie ever), btw, also wrote the worst piece of crap bicycling movie ever made, American Flyers.


NO. Bounjour - NO. Bonjour is French. Buon giorno is Itey.

OK...that was a hilarious scene...loved Dad's face! NOW I have to go out and rent the movie again!!

cheers

 

[AngusW]

Refund?! Refund!?

I love that movie. It's a lighthearted look at a young man with the bicycling bug who was cursed to being born into a blue collar midwestern family (and community) that just doesn't see bicycling as something that responsible that adults do. If you're just now catching on, I have to presume you're too young to understand some of the "bicycle culture" references. There's stuff in that movie you just can't grasp the significance of unless you're a gear head from way back.

Like when Dave is rebuilding the crummy AMF bicycle (house brand for Western Auto, IIRC) given him for the Little 500. First they show him lovingly rebuilding the BB, a loose ball bearing BB no less, then lubing his chain. The old school way to lube your chain was to remove it from the bike, clean it and submerge it in molten paraffin. The wax was great lube but a PITA to apply. If you're not an old-time gear-head, you'll just watch that scene and wonder why he's cooking his chain. If you do understand, you're one of the anointed. It's like knowing the Masonic handshake.

My favorite scene,

Dad emerges from the bathroom with a dejected/confused look on his face.
Evelyn: "What's the matter?"
Dad: "He's shaving!"
Evelyn: "Well, so what?"
Dad: "His legs ...he's shaving his legs!"


The same guy who wrote Breaking Away (best bicycling movie ever), btw, also wrote the worst piece of crap bicycling movie ever made, American Flyers.


NO. Bounjour - NO. Bonjour is French. Buon giorno is Itey.

That scene was right at the end when Dave is interested in a French exchange student. His Dad wasn't cycling earlier in the movie.

I loved that movie when I saw it at age 15. It made me want to race bicycles and learn Italian. So it was inspirational to me.

 

[ElChingon]

The old school way to lube your chain was to remove it from the bike, clean it and submerge it in molten paraffin. The wax was great lube but a PITA to apply. If you're not an old-time gear-head, you'll just watch that scene and wonder why he's cooking his chain. If you do understand, you're one of the anointed. It's like knowing the Masonic handshake.

Old School? Its still being done, besides myself all my friends are hooked on it, its not that hard, takes some time but once you start there's no going back.

Best Quote: "Everyone Cheats", lesson learned the hard way but it sunk in like it should for all no matter the sport or career. Many will be shocked but once they look deep, they'll see it.

 

[53x11 in DC]

If I'm not mistaken, I think he drafts the semi-trailer to 50 or 60 mph WHILE IN THE LITTLE RING!!!

Apparently, Dave Stolar could turn the cranks at 325 rpm!

(though, to be fair, it was the 70's, so he's probably got a 42 on.)

 

[biff47]

The movie nails life in southern Indiana in the late 70s.
Makes one a little homesick sometimes.

 

[nfmcgrath]

I loved this movie - Although its been a long time since I saw it last. But I remember the very first time that I saw it, it was one of films that helped me get into bike racing.

Jackie Earle Haley was nominated for an Oscar back in 2006 for his role in a movie called Little Children

 

[Hmmmmm]

Great movie. Have it on DVD.

Favorite lines from the movie...
Mom: Shhh! He'll hear you.
Dad: I don't care! It's my house. Besides, he doesn't speak English anyway.

Cycling is just one thing going on in this movie. The best parts, IMO, have nothing to do with cycling. Kind of like the movie Jaws, which I also like for the characters and the dialogue.

 

[JA.Tri]

Loved it! Was sad to see the demise of the series...well I didn't realise it had been cancelled (I just abused the programmers for not showing it ).

Also, for all its flaws, still have much affection for American Flyers (RDC helps)!

Jackie Earle Haley, what an under-recognized/under-utilized actor!

 

[Nick777]

It was on over here in AUS about two weeks ago. I watched it with my girlfriend & mum. It's an old family favourite... never gets old!

Well.. it has dated a bit, but haven't we all?

 

[ustabe]

Jackie Earle Haley was nominated for an Oscar back in 2006 for his role in a movie called Little Children

Wasn't he Riffraff in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, too? The connections are coming back.

Haley's work in Little Children was masterful and courageous.

 

[movingtarget]

No, that was Richard O'Brien who also wrote the script for Rocky Horror, and also wrote the original stage play.

 

[ustabe]

No, that was Richard O'Brien who also wrote the script for Rocky Horror, and also wrote the original stage play.

Oh. Thanks.

Anyway, Breaking Away was not about cycling just like Jaws was not about sharks.

 

[Oldman]

Oh. Thanks.

Anyway, Breaking Away was not about cycling just like Jaws was not about sharks.

Thanks. I thought was intended to be a melodromedy when I saw it. It made the most of Cold-war prejudices and a budding acting career for Dances with Wolves.