One could easily accuse the late film star Burt Reynolds of having often wasted his time with substandard scripts. But sometimes, he *would* get a great role, and make the most of the situation. Here, he dials down his natural screen charisma a bit for his first real character role. Ernie is a veteran, expert thief plying his trade in an unnamed city. Then, one night, he and smalltime punk Mike (Casey Siemaszko) break into the same house. Handling himself with aplomb, Ernie later gives Mike half of his take, reasoning that it's "better to have a partner than a witness". Realizing the kids' potential, Ernie takes Mike under his wing, instructing him in the fine art of breaking into safes. But Mike is understandably still fairly immature, and starts spreading his ill-gotten gains around, arousing suspicions.
Two indie greats, screenwriter John Sayles ("Lone Star", "Eight Men Out", etc.) and filmmaker Bill Forsyth ("Local Hero") have fashioned an appealing combination of low-key character study and caper comedy. Forsyth displays a nice light touch, preventing the story from ever getting overly serious, and including some funny moments (like two guard dogs that don't seem to be very good at their jobs). Sayles' dialogue does have some great lines along the way, and the characters and their relationships are reasonably realistic; just as this amiable film never gets too glum, neither does it ever get too goofy.
The supporting cast features a number of familiar faces: Sheila Kelley (as the airhead hooker who becomes Mikes' girlfriend), Lorraine Toussaint, Albert Salmi (in his last feature film appearance), Harry Carey Jr., Maury Chaykin, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Alan Fudge. Siemaszko is definitely good as Mike, really selling his characters' youthful naivety and willingness to learn, but it's Reynolds who provides the true emotional centre of "Breaking In". It's too bad he didn't get more roles of this caliber.
Well-made and well-paced, this features a great score by Michael Gibbs, and doesn't go on any longer than it really should.
Eight out of 10.
Two indie greats, screenwriter John Sayles ("Lone Star", "Eight Men Out", etc.) and filmmaker Bill Forsyth ("Local Hero") have fashioned an appealing combination of low-key character study and caper comedy. Forsyth displays a nice light touch, preventing the story from ever getting overly serious, and including some funny moments (like two guard dogs that don't seem to be very good at their jobs). Sayles' dialogue does have some great lines along the way, and the characters and their relationships are reasonably realistic; just as this amiable film never gets too glum, neither does it ever get too goofy.
The supporting cast features a number of familiar faces: Sheila Kelley (as the airhead hooker who becomes Mikes' girlfriend), Lorraine Toussaint, Albert Salmi (in his last feature film appearance), Harry Carey Jr., Maury Chaykin, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Alan Fudge. Siemaszko is definitely good as Mike, really selling his characters' youthful naivety and willingness to learn, but it's Reynolds who provides the true emotional centre of "Breaking In". It's too bad he didn't get more roles of this caliber.
Well-made and well-paced, this features a great score by Michael Gibbs, and doesn't go on any longer than it really should.
Eight out of 10.