Breakaway (2011)

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

The acting in this movie is really good.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

There are some real cruel reviews of this movie, interestingly many coming from the ethnic audience that it's supposed to have in its pocket. I don't think this movie deserves such harsh criticism. It's actually a very sweet movie with likable characters, including Russell Peters in a great supporting role. We get to enjoy a bit of the hockey thrill and watch the beautiful Camilla Belle. This movie was never supposed to be an Oscar contender. Even though you know how the story will end in the first couple of minutes into the movie, the uniquely Canadian atmosphere and the few side stories that support the plot make your time worth watching it.

This is the sort of film Hollywood was famous for making back in the day and has now forgotten how to make.Thank GOD for a vibrant Canada film industry.Bollywood has learned how to try to reach more western filmgoers and this 2011 release that runs 101 minutes has everything you need.The standard coming of age and rebellion of family,sports and ethnic adjustment to a white world while keeping its ethnic pride and truths.There is nothing wrong with this film,nothing.A great group of ethnic actors with 2 familiar white faces for the masses and the timeless story of being accepted while remaining true to ones own identity and family pride.Throw in interracial romance as the final tie in and well,its now my favorite sports movie but its a whole lot more.My favorite part is when the all Sikh hockey team is ready to play in a tournament final,their appeal to not wear helmets,because their religion dictates a turban at all times, is finally rejected and they might have to forfeit the finals,is avoided by the white girl friend and sister of the team's white coach showing that the new design of a metallic headdress in place of the standard helmet MUST be accepted because of rights protection under the law.This also works for the Sikh's because its modeled on the metal helmet worn by a famous historic warrior.Thats a compromise !!!!!Enjoy this film as I did.

We liked Breakaway - sure it's pretty much lightweight sports comedy but its heart is the right place and it was fun.I guarantee this movie will be make it big, even if it's being treated with some disdain in Canada.Here's why:1. There's a reason why Russell Peters is currently the number one selling comedian in the world. The global diaspora of Indian populations in the UK, the US, South Africa, Dubai, not to mention India itself will buy this. 2. No other country on earth has as many cinemas and cinema goers (and not downloaders, but real paying cinemas with seats and people) as India and they love movies that celebrate their culture abroad. 3. The UK has a huge following for Peters and this: Peters sold out Wembley Stadium for three nights twice, and Indian TV is huge this is going to run and run on subscription TV channels forever. 4. It's a fun, innocent, sport movie - and people like that worldwide...... I agree it may not be Canada's number one movie, but I think this is marketing savvy and I bet you the receipts when added up in twelve months time make it the number one earner globally of any Canadian movie of the year.......All in all if you like sports comedies like Men with Brooms and / or what an insight into Sikh culture in Toronto, while enjoying a competent sports movie you could do much worse (now you can vote me down).....

My rating and review is strictly based on dubbed Hindi version. There are two kind of audience to this movie. One, who have seen Patiala House(PH); and second, who have not. Movie carries a lot from Akshay kumar's PH. Change the cast, remove cricket and add Ice hockey & insert a friendly uncle instead of cousins and you get Breakaway. It also carries the same flaws that PH had. The plot has so much to deal with that its neither a full patriotic sports movie like Chak de, India! nor a family/love story like PH or Apne. Most of the comic situations are lost in translation. I hope that Russell peters' joke must have been good because I couldn't get a laugh in dubbed version. Most disappointing fact was that someone else(probably Raju kher) did the voice-over for Anupam kher.All in all watch it ONLY if you have access to Breakway and steer clear of Dubbed version, Speedy Singhs.