watching movie Breaking Away before going for a ride

[rumrunn6]

I thought there was a character with cancer and Harrison Ford. what movie is that?

anyway what a dirty trick that Italian plays during the 100 mile Cinzano race

[Seb71]

American Flyers? With Kevin Costner, not with Harrison Ford. And cerebral aneurysm, not cancer.

[rumrunn6]

ah ha! ok thanks yeah that's it.

[Shimagnolo]

"I know you know I'm back here Belov; Only I'm not really here; I'm 10 seconds ahead, so I'm really up there."

[MattFoley]

I love Breaking Away! Drafting the semi was my favorite part...that, and the movie talking up Italians at first, but then showing them to be total ******bag cheaters.

[Brockster]

...what a dirty trick that Italian plays during the 100 mile Cinzano race

I still wince when I think of that one.

That was a great movie, even if you were not a cycling buff. The actor playing the used car salesman-father was hysterical. Remember the look on his face when he caught his son shaving his legs?

It's been a few years since I saw it. Was the college race at the end done on fixies?

[Jeff Wills]

I still wince when I think of that one.

That was a great movie, even if you were not a cycling buff. The actor playing the used car salesman-father was hysterical. Remember the look on his face when he caught his son shaving his legs?

It's been a few years since I saw it. Was the college race at the end done on fixies?

Not fixies. Coaster-brake cheapies: http://iusf.indiana.edu/little500/

FWIW: Paul Dooley and Dennis Christopher played father and son in a 2001 episode of "Law and Order: Criminal Intent" http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0160550/bio

[downtube42]

I still wince when I think of that one.

That was a great movie, even if you were not a cycling buff. The actor playing the used car salesman-father was hysterical. Remember the look on his face when he caught his son shaving his legs?

It's been a few years since I saw it. Was the college race at the end done on fixies?

Coaster-brake AMF Roadmasters were the standard issue Little 500 bikes. A bit of trivia: David Blase, the inspiration for the story, played the race announcer in the final race. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtLukAr6ce4

[rumrunn6]

I liked the end where the French chic catches his eye. I can just hear him turning French inside.

[CraigB]

Drafting the semi was my favorite part...

That was also the only part where there was a technical error, at least as far as I could tell in the 30 or so times I've seen the film. There's a shot of the cranks during the motorpacing and Stoller's on the small chain ring. At 50+ mph, I doubt that.

And speaking of Breaking Away and American Flyers in the same thread, it never ceases to amaze me that the same writer could do one script that rings so true, and another that's actually cringe-worthy to watch.

[Henry III]

Those two movies never get old. I'm surprised Hollywood hasn't tapped into these gems yet being hard up for original stuff. I dig Quicksilver also as it's got a star studded cast also.

After watching American Flyers makes me nervous seeing a dog outside while on my bike. lol.

[MattFoley]

Those two movies never get old. I'm surprised Hollywood hasn't tapped into these gems yet being hard up for original stuff. I dig Quicksilver also as it's got a star studded cast also.

After watching American Flyers makes me nervous seeing a dog outside while on my bike. lol.

Actually, there is a bike messenger movie coming out that seems to be at least partly inspired by Quicksilver. Although Joseph Gordon Levitt doesn't seem to be a burned out stock broker in this one. Check out Premium Rush.

[Phil_gretz]

I'm not a big fan of Kevin Costner. I kind of root for the dog in that scene, wishing it would spill Costner. As many times as I watch it...never happens. Is it time for my medication yet?

[aruban]

FYI. Breaking Away is showing for free on Comcast On Demand this month.

[dynodonn]

Hollywood movies never really inspired me to really do anything, way too over the top when portraying anything. As one gets older, it gets that much more obvious.

[cyccommute]

And speaking of Breaking Away and American Flyers in the same thread, it never ceases to amaze me that the same writer could do one script that rings so true, and another that's actually cringe-worthy to watch.

I think it's mostly because all of the great 'bicycle' movies aren't about the bicycle part. The bicycle plays a large role but the films are about the people. Think of 'Pee Wee's Big Adventure'...the best 'bicycle' movie ever...the bicycle is missing for most of the movie. The movie is about the love affair between Pee Wee and his missing bike. Who of us hasn't had a bike that, when we walked into the garage, didn't just want to say 'Good Morning' is the same way?

A bicycle movie that is out now, 'The Kid with a Bike' by the Dardenne brothers is almost as good as PW's Big Adventure but in a very different way. The bike is still a pivotal part of the movie but everything that revolves around that pivot is compelling.

American Flyers is about the bicycle or at least about bicycle racing and the story about the people is bad. We really don't care that much about the main characters and the bike racing can't hold up the movie.

[dynodonn]

Again most Hollywood movies, regardless of the storyline, are as far from reality as one can get. Hollywood execs are far more interested in the movie's profitability than the movie being as realistic as possible. Give the moviegoers what they want/like to see.

[cyccommute]

Again most Hollywood movies, regardless of the storyline, are as far from reality as one can get. Hollywood execs are far more interested in the movie's profitability than the movie being as realistic as possible. Give the moviegoers what they want/like to see.

But reality isn't the reason you go to the movies. Most of reality is pretty boring. If I want reality, I can get that in unlimited quantity every day.

And, yes, you give people what they want but that's business everywhere. You don't make much money by giving people what they don't want. That's why MacDonald's is a multibillion dollar company and Ralph's Pretty Good Tofu on a Stick never made it past Ralph's kitchen.

[bobotech]

I have loved Breaking Away as far back as when i was younger (teens) and didn't give one iota about biking. I just enjoyed the movie and the actors/actresses and the story. I still wonder if the Schwinn Cutter bike name was inspired/copied from the movie.

[bobotech]

But reality isn't the reason you go to the movies. Most of reality is pretty boring. If I want reality, I can get that in unlimited quantity every day.

Bingo. I watch movies to suspend belief for a while. I want to be entertained even if its with cheap laughs and expensive special effects and big boobs.

[JasonCarp]

Cutters took 4th this year.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

Again most Hollywood movies, regardless of the storyline, are as far from reality as one can get. Hollywood execs are far more interested in the movie's profitability than the movie being as realistic as possible.

Give the moviegoers what they want/like to see.

What a concept! Who wudda thunk of it but some craven shlockmeisrer, eh?

Perhaps you would prefer to see documentary movies shot with a helmet camera, without a plot and commentary from a self appointed bicycling expert?