Althoughthe “New Hollywood” erathat emerged in the 1970s changed many aspects of the American cinematic landscape, one of the most interesting trendswas the rise of the inspirational sports genre, a style of filmmaking that had been surprisingly dormant in the previous decades. Hits likeRockyproved that there was an audience for serious films about newly introduced heroes, but comedies likeBad News BearsandSling Shotproved that sports stories could be uplifting and hilarious at the same time.Breaking Awayis often cited as the best sports film of the 1970s because it is simultaneously a window into an underrepresented competition and a terrific coming-of-age story. Although the film featured many future stars in their breakout roles,Breaking Awayis best remembered for the scene-stealing performance fromDennis Quaid.
Breaking Awaywas showered with love by both audiences and members of the Academy Awards from the moment that it premiered in 1979. Despite going up against heavy competition from the war epicApocalypse Now,the semi-biographical musicalAll That Jazz,the classic strike movieNorma Rae, and the powerful divorce dramaKramer vs. Kramer,Breaking Awaystill received five Academy Award nominations, including a Best Picture nod and a win for screenwriterSteve Tesich. Despite the clear affection that the Academy had forBreaking Away, none of its actors ended up getting recognized for their work on the film. While perhaps it may be difficult to single out just one performer in an ensemble that is so well cast,Quaid deserved an Oscar nomination for what is perhaps the best performance of his entire career.
What Is ‘Breaking Away’ About?
Set in the university town of Bloomington, Indiana,Breaking Awayexplores a group of recent high school graduates who aretrying to find their place in the world.Mike (Quaid), Dave (Dennis Christopher), Cyril (Daniel Stern), and Moocher (Jackie Earl Haley) were all relatively popular and well-respected while they were in high school, butfind it increasingly difficult to find work in the immediate aftermath; given the financial concerns involved, the notion of actually going to college feels like an impossibility. However, things begin to change when Dave introduces his friends to the sport of competitive bike racing, as he is a deep admirer of everything related to Italian culture. Despite not being entirely sure if he is well-suited to this laborious task (which most residents of Bloomington have little respect for), Mike decides to devote himself to becoming a master of the sport.
AlthoughBreaking Awayis stacked with great performances,Quaid immediately pops off the screen with his nuanced depiction of Mike.Whilethe other young heroeshave never really had much experience in any sort of athletic competition, Mike was a former football star who has seen the highs and lows that come with being involved in a high-stakes sport. Mike understands that despite devoting what felt like his entire life to sports while he was in high school, the game hasn’t done much for him in the year since he graduated. Nonetheless,Mike sees cycling as an opportunity to both redeem himself and grow closer to his friends.It’s a remarkably sensitive performance that underscores the importance of male friendship.Breaking Awayis certainly a film about competition, but the main characters are genuinely interested in helping each other succeed, rather than breaking down into petty disputes over whose time is the best.
‘Breaking Away’ Is About More Than Just Sports
Quaid has always been an actor noted for his impressive physicality, andBreaking Awaygave him more than enough of an opportunity to show the merits of investing in the stunts of a role. Considering that there are relatively few films about cycling, it was even more interesting for audiences to get swept up in the story because of its informative value. That being said,the cycling is just one of the many reasons thatBreaking Awayis a great movie.The film appealed to a feeling of dissatisfaction and disillusionment that many young people felt at the end of the 1970s in the aftermath of the scandals of the Nixon administration,the failure of the Vietnam conflict,and the war on drugs. Mike is forced to isolate one positive thing in his life and devotes himself to it entirely.
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Quaid gives a versatile performance that shows why he has been a permanent fixture in both comedies and dramas for decades sinceBreaking Awaywas released. Considering thatBreaking Awayis about a group of lifelong friends who know each other a little too well, there was always going to be somegood-natured humor between them. Nonetheless, Quaid is still able to pull off the more serious moments, particularly when Mike has to defend Cyril from the bully Rod (Hart Bochner), who threatens to beat him up. As much as Mike is seen as a leader amongst his friends, he is also facing pressures at home; a moment of interaction between Mike and his older brother Roy (Josh Ashton) indicates that he is also dealing with his own insecurities. It’s these types of moments that show whyQuaid was particularly worthy of receiving an Oscar nomination,even if his co-stars were also delivering impressive work.
How Has Dennis Quaid Never Received an Oscar Nomination?
Quaid is on a list of universally beloved actorswho have never received an Oscar nomination, alongside stars likeEwan McGregor, John Goodman, Kevin Bacon, David Oyelowo,andIsabella Rossellini.While this may be in part due tothe type of films that he’s starred in, many of which have flown past the Oscars’ radar, it would be hard to argue that classics likeThe Big Easy, The Parent Trap, The Right Stuff,andFar From Heavenhaven’t stood the test of time. While it’s unlikely that Quaid will receive any serious wards buzz for his cirrent role in the biopicReagan,Breaking Awayis the film that arguably announced him asone of the most promising young actors of his generation.
Breaking Away
Breaking Awayis available to rent on Amazon in the United States.
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