Breaking Away (1979)

Breaking Away (1979) — Comedy / Drama / Sport Set in small‑town Bloomington, Indiana, this warm, character‑driven coming‑of‑age story follows Dave and his three best friends — Mike, Cyril and Moocher — as they finish high school and clash with the wealthier Indiana University students. Dave, obsessed with Italian cycling, adopts an Italian persona (calling himself Enrico) to impress a college girl, Katherine, and dreams of racing alongside his cycling idols. Tensions between town “cutters” and college students, family pressures from a blue‑collar life, and the boys’ uncertain futures all build toward a tense, emotional bicycle race that forces Dave to confront who he really is and what he wants. What you’ll experience: a blend of sharp, funny small‑town banter and genuine heart — comic set pieces and teasing rivalries give way to tender, sometimes bittersweet moments of self‑discovery. The film alternates light, character-based humor with authentic drama, culminating in exciting, suspenseful cycling sequences and a satisfying emotional payoff. You’ll find yourself rooting for the underdogs, laughing at the friends’ antics, and feeling the nostalgic atmosphere of a close community grappling with class, identity and ambition.

Actors: Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern

Director: Peter Yates

Runtime: 101 min

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Sport

6.8 /10 91 /100 7.7 /10 7.9 /10