Breakaway – Movie Review

Breakaway, The Movie.

I will proceed with the same three measuring sticks I have used in the past to try to judge the merit of this movie. Ultimately, the question is, should you spend the resources God has provided you with to see this flick? Or would your money be better spent elsewhere…there is certainly need all around us.
I offer the three criteria I will use to discern the worth of Home Run in order of importance.

1. Is God glorified?
2. Will the movie tempt someone to sin?
3. Is there a practical application to the lessons learned within?

I will consider them in reverse order:

Is there a practical application to the lessons learned within?

Breakaway, by Word Entertainment, caught me by surprise. I was asked to review the movie, and so I requested a Vimeo link. I was pleasantly shocked when I was mailed a DVD including deleted scenes, bloopers, behind the scenes and more!

The other thing that caught me by surprise was the fact that Breakaway was not based in the US! Immediately, when we started watching the movie, the accents were nearly intolerable! But The characters were likable and once we got used to the foreign accents, we settled in to see the show.

It starts pretty quickly with the main character, Francois, a former professional athlete being laid off from his job. Francois has no success in finding employment, and the tension mounts. Seemingly on a whim, he begins a courier business, riding his bicycle all over the city to deliver mail for companies.

While riding his bicycle around town, the competitive nature in this ex pro-rugby player shines. He cannot help but race other bikers! With a desire to ride faster he visits a bike shop where he gets wisdom, friendship, and help with the bike from someone he met on a chance meeting!

The movie is about overcoming obstacles, maintaining faith in God throughout, and working together with others to achieve these goals! There is also a nicely balanced level of relying on hard work and effort to succeed which is taught throughout. I found it truly inspirational and believable.

There is an excellent underlying theme of the supportive and necessary role of a wife. Francois’ wife, played by Leone Pienaar (also the production manager), plays an integral role in his success and persistence. It was refreshing to find in the behind the scenes that this was quite intentional, and to see the honesty exhibited by the actors as they discussed their own personal lives.

Will the movie tempt someone to sin?

Now we all have different sin-tendencies, I know, but I can only speak of a few of the more obvious ones. I saw no areas of the movie where a person would have a problem with sin. This is truly a well done movie safe for kids and families to enjoy! I recall no blasphemy, nor vulgarity, and the women were modest throughout.

Is God glorified?

I believe that this movie brings glory to God. There are several references to the bible, Jesus Christ, being a Christian and a clear reference to the fact that not everyone is a Christian. We see examples of marriage, forgiveness, humility and utter reliance on God for strength. If the movie was lacking in any way, it was the lack of a clear gospel presentation – particularly man’s problem with sin.

Now, every movie doesn’t have to have the gospel, but, in the behind the scenes it was said that the gospel is in it. I don’t doubt the faith of the makers, but hopefully if they continue to make movies we will see them grow in boldness and clarity like the Flywheel –>> Facing the Giants –>> Fireproof evolution Sherwood Pictures saw.

but hopefully if they continue to make movies we will see them grow in boldness and clarity like the Flywheel –>> Facing the Giants –>> Fireproof evolution Sherwood Pictures saw.

Concluding Thoughts

In conclusion, I highly recommend you try to see this movie. It can be ordered on Amazon.

Enjoy the trailer now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDUWbhSu5z4

I received this movie free from Word Films as part of their Blogger Review Program, via Blogger Gateway. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”