It’s hard to express to those who weren’t born and raised in the Midwest how true this scene rings. This is PRECISELY the types of feelings a young person is apt to feel... especially if they grew up poorer than their peers. Scary how good the writing is on this. And the acting, too.
Didn't make sense to me until later in life but I can sense his despair, disappointment and desperateness in this scene. I didn't notice this when I was a kid watching this movie.
I graduated high school the year this movie came out. Just like the characters I come from a blue collar, working class family. The whole house in the burbs bit. I found it very easy to relate with the characters in the movie and they even remind me of some of the guys I ran around with at that age. The hair, the clothes, the cars. All of that stuff in the movie reminds me of when I was that age.
This scene captures that feeling when your potential runs out and you realize your life isn't going to be what you thought it was, and how the game was rigged against you from the start. I also like how when he talks about "cutters" you can clearly see the big old blocks of granite/limestone in the building behind him. The lasting memorial to the cutters. They are all dead now, but their craft and work remains.
Yes. He's becoming one of those people who were just part of the background noise in his glory days--days that are now behind him. He's going to stay in that town and age. And while he stands on that hill, year after year getting older, those kids will never age. They will always be there to remind him of his descent into aged irrelavance.
@@MitchCrane Yes, and don't underlook the "mean old mike" moniker he gives his future self. He has figured out the score and bitterness is closing in on his heart. Sad really, and what is becoming the story of many of us.
That’s life. Worry about the future and what to do when you get there. And then, once you’ve arrived, all you think about is the past and how to go back. Soon you’re gone and after some more time, if you haven’t made a name for yourself life most people don’t, it’s as if you were never here. Depressing, but honestly, leaving a legacy is why most people bother getting out of bed, that and needing food/bathroom.
I saw this movie in the theater when it first came out, and I was 19. And I really identified with the character of Mike. The impact of this scene, and the bitter truths in it have always stayed with me.
I graduated right before this movie came out, from a small Indiana High School. Single mother, no $ to go to college. I drove down with her to bloomington that year, saw the same football stadium and thought maybe there would be a chance I could go. Interesting that Dennis Quaid made this movie at the same time I was dreaming to go there just like he was.
Similar story here - just in a different part of the world. Became a teacher in a low income area and did my best to level the playing field for my guys without all the resources. But yes, it's a tough go for many kids. Hope you made out ok.
Grew up in Indiana, went to IU in 1969 after my brother and finally graduated in 76. Never heard the term "cutter" referring to Bloomingtonites,. We called them "townies" on rare occasions but there was no hostility I'm aware of between they and students. The Little 500 was a big deal for the Greek community, not so much for the rest of us. I never attended one. We did play in the limestone quarries near town, water filled deep basins surrounded by huge blocks of uncut stone. Some were known for skinny dipping and those were attended by townies at times. Who could blame them.
I went to UM-Columbia in the late 70's early 80's and there were townies in Columbia. I was in Sigma Pi fraternity and there was more friction with the gdi types than the residents of Columbia. In 2002 I was in Bloomington, IN., for work and tried to retrace places in the movie, Breaking Away.
This is like an older Mike transported to his younger self explaining to his friends what he’ll be thinking 30 years down the road. Honestly, the fact he realizes this at 20 is a pretty big fucking breakthrough. It can allow him to shift focus of what he knows he’ll never have to something else that can fulfill his life. I played three sports in a small town in southern Virginia in 1989, thought for sure I’d be playing in college. Spring of my summer year tore three ligaments in my knee, had absolutely no idea what ligaments were, and took over a year years to find a good orthopedic doctor who’d actually do reconstructive in Charlottesville. Another full year of rehabilitation… obviously never the same. Along with that, Struggled in jobs and community college for three years. In 1992 my girlfriend got pregnant, I walked into an Air Force recruiters office. 25 years later I retired with a degree, having lived in numerous states and other countries, deployed to even more countries, met some of the best people this country has to offer, my kid’s saw the world, and now I’m happier than I could ever have imagined. Sometimes, what looks like disaster is actually an opportunity. It’s the way you look at it. This door closed on me, but look at that, five more doors just opened.
A scene cut from the film was Mike in his car at the end, leaving Bloomington behind. Wish they'd left that in. There used to be a frontier. It was really disappearing about then.
I'm reminded of Big Daddy's classic line: "Life ain't no damn football game. Life ain't just a buncha high spots...the truth is pain and sweat and payin' bills and makin' love to a woman that you don't love any more. Truth is dreams that don't come true, and nobody prints your name in the paper 'til you die."
The "flagship" public universities like Indiana are very good, but there is elitism built into them that this movie brings out. A wealthy family can save a lot of money on their kids tuition and get them a nice car and housing (not to mention job networking).
Mike was getting in his own way because he was angry and bitter and wallowing in self pity at his current place in life. He could have been at college , scoring with the chicks etc.
Not necessarily. This was set in a time when not everyone went to college, or even believed that they Had to go to college. In those days, you went to college if you wanted to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc. Or if you were from a wealthy family. Back then the government wasn't handing out money to anyone who would take it. There were none of the degree paths in African toenail art or underwater BB stacking like there are today. I graduated from high school in Indiana 3 years before this movie was released, and never seriously considered college. Not attending college hasn't done me any damage.
It's not class envy. It's about believing that high school was the pinnacle of your life because you invested so much of yourself into something that almost 0% of kids translate into a future career, and then watching it stretch away behind you. It's why the end of the movie is so perfect for Quaid's character: Mike gets to learn that you don't need to be the high-school quarterback to achieve something great. At the end of the film he gets what he never allowed himself to see at the beginning: a chance at a future he can be proud of.
It’s hard to express to those who weren’t born and raised in the Midwest how true this scene rings. This is PRECISELY the types of feelings a young person is apt to feel... especially if they grew up poorer than their peers. Scary how good the writing is on this. And the acting, too.
Jim it doesn't matter if your poor it's the heart I want a simple life with you full of love ❤️ n your happiness n dreams
Great movie. Def one of my favorites. Its a shame most people growing up now will never see this. "Refund!"
Didn't make sense to me until later in life but I can sense his despair, disappointment and desperateness in this scene. I didn't notice this when I was a kid watching this movie.
Dennis Quaid should've got an Oscar nomination. This is a real balls out performance.
Brilliantly written and acted scene in a movie filled with quietly profound truths about the American class system.
One of the best scenes in the greatest coming of age movie of all time!
I graduated high school the year this movie came out. Just like the characters I come from a blue collar, working class family. The whole house in the burbs bit. I found it very easy to relate with the characters in the movie and they even remind me of some of the guys I ran around with at that age. The hair, the clothes, the cars. All of that stuff in the movie reminds me of when I was that age.
The greatest movie in my lifetime
Now don't go forgetting "Hoosiers" or "All The President's Men" or "Bullitt"...
Yes
AGREE
This scene captures that feeling when your potential runs out and you realize your life isn't going to be what you thought it was, and how the game was rigged against you from the start.
I also like how when he talks about "cutters" you can clearly see the big old blocks of granite/limestone in the building behind him. The lasting memorial to the cutters. They are all dead now, but their craft and work remains.
Yes. He's becoming one of those people who were just part of the background noise in his glory days--days that are now behind him. He's going to stay in that town and age. And while he stands on that hill, year after year getting older, those kids will never age. They will always be there to remind him of his descent into aged irrelavance.
@@MitchCrane Yes, and don't underlook the "mean old mike" moniker he gives his future self. He has figured out the score and bitterness is closing in on his heart.
Sad really, and what is becoming the story of many of us.
That’s life. Worry about the future and what to do when you get there. And then, once you’ve arrived, all you think about is the past and how to go back. Soon you’re gone and after some more time, if you haven’t made a name for yourself life most people don’t, it’s as if you were never here. Depressing, but honestly, leaving a legacy is why most people bother getting out of bed, that and needing food/bathroom.
Absolutely simple and beautiful writing (and acting).
I saw this movie in the theater when it first came out, and I was 19. And I really identified with the character of Mike. The impact of this scene, and the bitter truths in it have always stayed with me.
This movie came out when I was 15 and really made an impression on me - a true masterpiece
A VERY potent scene from one of the BEST movies of all time!
I graduated right before this movie came out, from a small Indiana High School. Single mother, no $ to go to college. I drove down with her to bloomington that year, saw the same football stadium and thought maybe there would be a chance I could go. Interesting that Dennis Quaid made this movie at the same time I was dreaming to go there just like he was.
Similar story here - just in a different part of the world. Became a teacher in a low income area and did my best to level the playing field for my guys without all the resources. But yes, it's a tough go for many kids. Hope you made out ok.
Robyn Douglas (who played Katherine) is now 67 years old. She - and they - will always be young people in my mind.
This movie is a work of art.
Claro que sí!!!
One of my favorites too! This was Daniel Stern/Cyril’s first feature film.
Great writing and great casting can really touch a nerve with the audience.
This is why Indiana University graduate Steve Tesich won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for "Breaking Away."
Grew up in Indiana, went to IU in 1969 after my brother and finally graduated in 76. Never heard the term "cutter" referring to Bloomingtonites,. We called them "townies" on rare occasions but there was no hostility I'm aware of between they and students. The Little 500 was a big deal for the Greek community, not so much for the rest of us. I never attended one. We did play in the limestone quarries near town, water filled deep basins surrounded by huge blocks of uncut stone. Some were known for skinny dipping and those were attended by townies at times. Who could blame them.
I went to UM-Columbia in the late 70's early 80's and there were townies in Columbia. I was in Sigma Pi fraternity and there was more friction with the gdi types than the residents of Columbia. In 2002 I was in Bloomington, IN., for work and tried to retrace places in the movie, Breaking Away.
This is right up there with Jaws as my all time favorite movies.
Wow..so glad to find this on here...my favorite scene from one of my favorite movies! What a great monologue
This is like an older Mike transported to his younger self explaining to his friends what he’ll be thinking 30 years down the road.
Honestly, the fact he realizes this at 20 is a pretty big fucking breakthrough. It can allow him to shift focus of what he knows he’ll never have to something else that can fulfill his life.
I played three sports in a small town in southern Virginia in 1989, thought for sure I’d be playing in college. Spring of my summer year tore three ligaments in my knee, had absolutely no idea what ligaments were, and took over a year years to find a good orthopedic doctor who’d actually do reconstructive in Charlottesville. Another full year of rehabilitation… obviously never the same. Along with that, Struggled in jobs and community college for three years. In 1992 my girlfriend got pregnant, I walked into an Air Force recruiters office. 25 years later I retired with a degree, having lived in numerous states and other countries, deployed to even more countries, met some of the best people this country has to offer, my kid’s saw the world, and now I’m happier than I could ever have imagined.
Sometimes, what looks like disaster is actually an opportunity. It’s the way you look at it. This door closed on me, but look at that, five more doors just opened.
Great part! anybody who gave it there all back in school can relate to this LOL! Thanks for posting.
A scene cut from the film was Mike in his car at the end, leaving Bloomington behind. Wish they'd left that in. There used to be a frontier. It was really disappearing about then.
Such a great movie.
this is my favorite scene :)
I love this scene......so true!
you have this happen? the stuff he's talking about? what is and what will never be?
Greatest scene of a great film.
Sleeper hit of 1979
Beck was perfect in this role
Mean old man Mike: these college kids will never get old.
Wooderson: I get older, they stay the same age hahahaha
It’s all about perspective.
I'm reminded of Big Daddy's classic line: "Life ain't no damn football game. Life ain't just a buncha high spots...the truth is pain and sweat and payin' bills and makin' love to a woman that you don't love any more. Truth is dreams that don't come true, and nobody prints your name in the paper 'til you die."
All 4 of these characters are me depending on the situation
Es una de mis películas favoritas, subtítulos en español,por favor!!!!
The "flagship" public universities like Indiana are very good, but there is elitism built into them that this movie brings out. A wealthy family can save a lot of money on their kids tuition and get them a nice car and housing (not to mention job networking).
Mike was getting in his own way because he was angry and bitter and wallowing in self pity at his current place in life. He could have been at college , scoring with the chicks etc.
Not necessarily. This was set in a time when not everyone went to college, or even believed that they Had to go to college. In those days, you went to college if you wanted to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc. Or if you were from a wealthy family. Back then the government wasn't handing out money to anyone who would take it. There were none of the degree paths in African toenail art or underwater BB stacking like there are today. I graduated from high school in Indiana 3 years before this movie was released, and never seriously considered college. Not attending college hasn't done me any damage.
A very accomplished complainer
Class envy. Get over it, Mike.
It's not class envy. It's about believing that high school was the pinnacle of your life because you invested so much of yourself into something that almost 0% of kids translate into a future career, and then watching it stretch away behind you. It's why the end of the movie is so perfect for Quaid's character: Mike gets to learn that you don't need to be the high-school quarterback to achieve something great. At the end of the film he gets what he never allowed himself to see at the beginning: a chance at a future he can be proud of.
What a shallow take. You're probably dead by now and won't read this though.