Breakaway

3 1/2 STARS FOR A MOVIE THAT IS NOT TOO FLASHY, NOT HOLLYWOOD, BUT RECOGNIZABLE STARS --- JUST LIGHT FUNThe strength of this 2011 sports comedy (re-released here on blu ray) is really that it is something different. Off beat. I thought it was lots of fun, and funny all the way through. One might not call it a fall off the chair kind of funny, just mirthful with the Indian style humor pitted against a winter sport Canadian past time. The early sports action in the first half is not the most choreographed Hollywood style edge of your seat pace. But the obligatory sports clichés do apply in a good way. There are also fairly surprising appearances by recognizable actors and cameos by music stars (Drake and Ludacris) who felt the movie worthy of support. I understand the hockey aspect didn't strike a chord with Indian audiences abroad and this movie didn't do well there. However, if you go in just looking for light fun, this is a funny and enjoyable film. Again, don't expect Hollywood. This is more along the line of understated Canadian cinema with Bollywood flair and the obligatory dance montage,THE PLOT (no spoilers): Rajveer Singh (Vinay Virmani) is the oldest son in a traditional Sikh Indian family making good in Canada. However, he has abandoned the traditional beard and turban to be more like the other young men around him. Instead of dreaming of cricket, he dreams of hockey. He plays a little pick-up game with his other Sikh buddies at the local rink (much to his father's chagrin). His non-traditional behavior and misinterpreted lack of enthusiasm is a serous point of conflict with his father. He is also in line to inherit his uncle's multi-million dollar trucking business but has little aptitude or interest. He is driven, but wishes to be his own man. One day he and his hockey buddies come into conflict with the local star "almost pro" hockey team called the Hammer Heads as they compete for rink time. Rajveer is actually quite good and is noticed by a washed up hockey star that once played pro for less than a season. Dan Winters (Rob Lowe) agrees to become the coach for this group of guys as they form an all-Sikh hockey teem and enter the prestigious national hockey tournament. It's a sports movie so you always pretty much know how it's going to go. A love interest is thrown in as Rajveer meets Dan's younger sister Melissa Winters (Camilla Belle).Enjoy something different and just don't expect quite the fast pace of Hollywood or the choreography of major sports movies. It is exciting and it is funny and long as you like the type of movies I have tried to describe. If you do like a lot of Canadian cinema and a little Bollywood, then you already know what to expect.

Most of the other reviews are spot on - it's actually a good movie (ignore the 1-star reviews). There was a great fusion of multiple cultures (I LOVED THE BHANGRA) and it delves into identity and family and love. Honestly, I had only one small pet peeve in this movie, which is a kiss in the movie. I don't think that kiss should have happened.CAMILLA BELLE is amazing in this - she's really a great actress. I keep forgetting that because I've seen her in similar roles, but she does quite well. Everyone else is good as well.

I read about this in the NYTimes story about the two Indo-Canadian hockey broadcasters who've been calling games in Punjabi. I fell in love with them, got up Sunday morning, made pancakes and watched this with my whole family. It is adorable and righteous and funny and makes you want to watch "Slapshot" afterward, just for good measure. In addition to the whole feel-good, underdog theme, there are a lot of more subtle points about race, religion, family, bullying, and men with beautiful long hair....;-) Ageless Rob Lowe, Rockin' Ludacris, big Bollywood wedding... what DOESN"T this movie have?

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I had only seen this movie once many years ago, enjoyed it immensely. So glad you had it. Bravo, Jensen Books.

The problem with this movie isn't that it lacks plot: it's that there are too many plots for the story to ever get going. If you've never seen "Bend It Like Beckham," "The Bad News Bears," "The Namesake," "Bride and Prejudice," "Slumdog Millionaire," "Drumline," "Goal," and "The Mighty Ducks," you might think this movie was unoriginal;: but if you've seen any of these movies (or all of them as I have), you'll instantly wonder why anyone would try to sell this movie. Here's the conceit: Indian kid living in foreign land with traditional parents wants to play the most popular sport of the new country, but parent objects, especially after observing the child's interest in a white person. This is the plot of "Bend It Like Beckham" point for point. And it's also half of the plot in "Breakaway," including the championship game being the same day as the big wedding. But wait, there's more. Smart aleck pretty boy meets unattainable, intelligent, and drop dead gorgeous woman whom he pursues cockily and recklessly until he begins to believe the lines he's feeding her; but then adversity rears its head, and the pretty boy is forced to grow up and become a man, which is how he wins the girl's heart in the end. Still hungry for more plot? Just wait, there's more. Angry man with unfulfilled dreams is transformed by his association with a group of loveable underdogs who find the power in teamwork and determination, ultimately resulting in him finding his purpose in life. And if that wasn't enough, there's the lavish Bollywood dance numbers, the unexplained comedy routines of a minor character, cameos rock stars playing themselves, and even the inspiring meeting of an Indian boy and a movie star (okay, no poop in this one). Movies that try to be all things to all people usually end up being nothing to no one, which describes Breakaway to a T.

This is a wild and totally unexpected combo of ice hockey and Bollywood! I only decided to watch it because I love hockey, but it was a silly and fun way to spend a couple of hours. A completely predictable storyline but still enjoyable.

The first time I saw this movie was in Canada. I live in the US and wanting to see it again, couldn't find it in the neighborhood. So, the only place to go and get the DVD is Amazon, I thought. I got it, enjoyed it and the delivery was fast enough. I was very pleased. Thank you Amazon.

Good movie

Liked the story but I'm sure I've seen that plot in a dozen other films.

it,s ok

Granddaughter loves this movie and wants to learn the skating dance. She is a skater. She wants to know all about her Indian Heritage.

Given as gift and he really liked the movie