Breakdown
was released in 1997 and while it was one of my favorite pictures of that year,
our site was not yet up and running. Recently, I revisited this underrated thriller
and thought I'd write a review.
Truth
be told, I really wasn't very excited about this movie when I went to see it at
a special sneak preview in May of 1997. And in fact, one of the reasons I went
to check it out was because it had been rumored that Paramount would unveil a
Titanic trailer before it. The Titanic trailer was indeed attached, and it was
impressive (and in an odd twist, Paramount would hold that legendary blockbuster
from it's original summer of '97 release to Christmas of the same year so that
the effects work could be completed). So imagine my surprise when the film I was
actually there to see ended up knocking me for a loop.
Breakdown
features Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan as a married couple who embark on a
lengthy desert road trip to start a new life together. The trek becomes disastrous,
however, when their vehicle breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Without going
into depth as to the "why" or "how," Russell's wife disappears
without a trace, forcing this reluctant man to snap into action and piece together
a series of clues that lead him into a deadly game of deception.
What
can I say? This movie really surprised me. During the first half, I thought I
was watching a Twilight Zone episode. I really wasn't sure where it was headed.
While the film does ultimately go in a rather mainstream direction, it's handled
so efficiently, that I bought into every second of it. This is a picture in which
the audience roots for the good guy and really comes to hate the bad guys.
Breakdown
is a perfect example of how a simplistic plot can be incredibly effective if executed
properly. An expertly crafted thriller like Breakdown keeps the audience guessing
from one compelling situation to the next. Director Jonathan Mostow (who would
go on to direct the entertaining U-571 and the surprisingly competent and extremely
underrated Terminator 3) has fashioned a taut, white-knuckler that was obviously
inspired by the works of Alfred Hitchcock.
Kurt
Russell is a very underrated actor, and in Breakdown he gives one of his very
best performances. In fact, it is his vulnerable, everyman persona that really
lends weight to the movie. If we don't feel for him and his plight, the movie
can't work. Russell pulls this thing off with flying colors. Just watch his eyes
when he comes to the realization that his wife might be dead. It's a powerful
moment--one that keeps Breakdown from becoming a routine thriller.
Kathleen
Quinlan is also exceptional as Russell's wife. This solid actress is put through
the ringer in this movie. She proves the perfect co-star and while she and Russell
don't share a lot of screen time together, their connection and love for one another
is perfefctly conveyed.
J.T.
Walsh (in one of his final roles--he passed away shortly after this film was released)
is incredibly effective as...well...I don't really want to go there because I
don't want to ruin any of this picture's delightful surprsies. Let's just say
that there really isn't a type of role this terrific character actor couldn't
play. His scenes in the final act of this picture are dynamite and add nausea-inducing
tension to the proceedings.
Breakdown
is as close to perfection as a thriller can get. It's tight, non-stop, well acted,
perfectly directed and pulse pounding in a big way. The final chase sequence in
this picture had my heart beating like a hummingbird, and I was completely riveted.
If
you haven't seen this gem of a movie, do yourself a favor and check it out. It's
one of the most underrated thrillers of the last ten years. Mr. Mostow, I salute
you.
