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BREAKDOWN

Jan 29

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BREAKDOWN-United States-1997

Kurt Russell as Jeffrey 'Jeff' Taylor

 

Kathleen Quinlan (w/Kurt Russell) as Amy Taylor

 

J.T. Walsh as Warren 'Red' Barr

 
 
Directed by Jonathan Mostow
 
Story by Jonathan Mostow
 
Screenplay by Jonathan Mostow and Sam Montgomery
 
   Breakdown is what I like to call a ‘go to’ film. It’s one of those movies that you’ve seen before and you know what’s going to happen and how it’s going to end; and yet you still find yourself watching it again when you can’t find anything else to watch. Sure, it has its flaws; it draws a little too much comparison to The Vanishing and the characters are just a tad too stereotypical. The worst crime that the film commits is that it requires an act of stupidity to get the plot rolling in the first place. No husband-I repeat-NO husband in his right mind is going to let his wife get into a vehicle with a total stranger and vice-versa. Either they both go or they both stay despite the consequences.

    The strength of Breakdown lies in the ability of its stars to make their characters interesting despite their lack of depth. Kurt Russell is one of our most reliable actors, capable of taking any role given to him and making it believable.

    Before his untimely death in 1998, JT Walsh was the actor for hire when it came to playing good old boys with just a trace of slime to their underbellies. Roles like ‘Red’ Barr and his short but memorable character in Sling Blade are a testament to this.

    Breakdown isn’t perfect and we don’t expect it to. What it is, is entertaining. That’s all we could ever expect of it.

TRIVIA

The original opening in the script shows Jeff Taylor as a photographer in an unnamed war-torn area. He blames himself for the death of a woman, and upon returning to America, quits freelancing and takes a job in San Diego
 
Red’s (‘JT Walsh”s) 18-wheeler is visible in the background behind Earl (M.C. Gainey) when he first approaches Jeff at the gas station.
 
Red’s truck is a Peterbilt 377.
 
½
 
 

 

 
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About jmount43

I was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina on March 4, 1962. I guess that makes me old, but I certainly don't feel that way. I still play video games and listen to rock and roll music. I love movies, especially horror films. I have a beautiful wife who is my all time best friend. She supports me in everything I do. More importantly, she calls me out on my bullshit. This blog is dedicated to her for everything she's done for me.

Posted on 01/29/2012, in Films released in 1997, Movies and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.

  1. SoniaRumzi | 02/03/2012 at 7:07 pm

    I loved this movie because I am an avid fan of Kurt Russel. The man rocks my world. Not only is he talented but easy on the eye. Hubba hubba! I liked it and yes found a husband letting his wife in a truck with a stranger weak. Otherwise, scary and believable. Yeah, call me gullible. Great review!

    Reply
  2. tumultuousjourney | 01/31/2012 at 12:10 am

    Truer words were never spoken of Kurt Russel. Interesting review and true to the movie. Thanks for that.

    Reply
  3. ANSHUL GAUTAM | 01/30/2012 at 1:18 am

    I am a movie freak. I haven’t watched this but as you discussed about it now, I am soon going to watch it. :) I loved the vanishing. Its one of my favorite. :)

    http://anshul-gautam.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-folded-tongue.html

    Reply

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