Heartland Truly Moving Pictures

Print this page

Breaking Away is an amazing tale of dedication, drive, and determination. Four high school graduates in the town of Bloomington, Indiana struggle to find their place in life among the out-of-reach college students at Indiana University. Endless battles with the fraternity boys and clashes with the cops leave the “townies” or “cutters” feeling lost and out of place.

One cutter in particular does have a dream. Dave Stoller wants to cycle with the Italian team. He trains all day, learns the language, and incorporates their customs into his own life. He even goes so far as to pose as an Italian exchange student to seduce the girl of his dreams.

Dave gets the chance to live out his dream when he learns that the Italian cycling team is indeed coming to Indianapolis. Dave is determined to prove that he is as good as the Italian riders. The gun fires and Dave quickly falls into the lead with the four Italian riders. He is in complete awe and so excited about what he is about to accomplish; that is, until one of the Italians cheats and throws Dave from his bike during the race.

Dave’s entire outlook changes at this point. He no longer wishes to be on the Italian team as his idols have quickly fallen from his good graces. Dave decides to enter the Little 500 race at the university along with his three other buddies as a final attempt at proving to himself, his parents and everyone else that he has what it takes to win.

The cutters struggle for a while but make an amazing comeback during the race, thanks to the dedication of Dave. He now has the full support of his parents, his friends, and the community and no longer has anything to prove. His moment of true victory has arrived with the winning of the Little 500. The emotion, the will, and the heart he displays easily makes this a Truly Moving Picture.

StarringBarbara Barrie, Hart Bochner, Dennis Christopher, Paul Dooley, Robyn Douglass, Jackie Earle Haley, Dennis Quaid, Daniel SternDirected byPeter YatesWritten bySteve TesichProducer(s)Peter YatesRatingRuntimeGenrePG100 minComedy, Drama, Sports