Coming of age comedy-drama classic for Sunday’s Film Club screening

March 23, 2013

A particular treat is in store for members of the North West Theatre Company Film Club this Sunday with the 1979 classic coming-of-age film “Breaking Away “ being the feature film. “Breaking Away” recently featured in the David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz “At the Movies” classic spot, gaining four and a half stars from them both.

The film is ranked eighth on the list of America’s 100 Most Inspiring Movies by the American Film Institute, and eighth in the Top Ten sports films of all time. The Film Club has previously screened sporting classics “Cinderella Man” (boxing) and “Invictus” (rugby). Like both of these films, “Breaking Away” is much more than a sports film, using cycling as the backdrop to some inspirational themes.

“Breaking Away” tells the story of four male teenagers in Bloomington, Indiana, who have recently graduated from High School, and now face the challenges of where life might lead them. How they enter the state’s most prestigious cycling race provides the backdrop to their great rivalry with their Indiana University rivals.

Directed by Peter Yates, the film spawned four great movie careers.

For Dennis Quaid, later to star in numerous hits such as “The Right Stuff” and “The Rookie” and Daniel Stern, who went on to fame through films such as “City Slickers” and “Home Alone”, it was their first film role.

The hero of the film, Dennis Christopher, again in a career debut, went on to make more than forty films such as “Chariots of Fire”, and is in the current Tarantino hit “Django Unchained”.

The fourth of the group, Jackie Earle Haley, was best known for his roles in “The Bad News Bears” and as Freddie Kruger in “Nightmare on Elm Street”. It is interesting to see Haley playing the Confederate Vice-President Alexander Stephens , in the current award-winninf film “Lincoln”.

One of the great things about operating a Film Club is that it is possible to screen a film such as “Breaking Away” that , although 34 years old, started the careers of four great actors.

“Breaking Away” won the 1979 Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, and was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Barbara Barrie), Best Director (Peter Yates), Best Original Song/Score/Adaptation (Patrick Williams) and Best Picture. It also won the 1979 Golden Globe for Best Picture (Comedy or Musical) and also gained nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay.

New Members welcome
The Film Club currently has 30 members , with some regulars still to come. Joining is easy……..come along to the Roxy just prior to the 4pm screening on Sunday and join for the remaining ten months of the season ($54) or on a temporary basis ( $10 per film).

To take out membership before Sunday, it is simple – contact John Wearne (6724 1585), Ros Moulton (67241613) or call at Bingara Information Centre.

There is an outstanding program of 11 diverse movies still to come.