Breaking In (1989)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Overrated

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Make no mistake, Burt Reynolds can act. When he wants, he can be a very thoughtful thespian. In "Gregory's Girl" director Bill Forsyth's charismatic but low-key crime caper "Breaking In," Reynolds plays 61-year old career burglar Ernie Mullins who sports spectacles and a limp. Not only does he prefer to work alone, but also he doesn't want a boss. He serves as his own boss and shows no desire to take orders from the mafia. When the action unfolds, our conscientious burglar is laying out his tools of the trade when he hears another intruder in the house that he has come to burglarize. By day a grease jockey who changes flat tires, Mike Lafebb (Casey Siemaszko of "Back to the Future") likes to break into residences, raid the refrigerators, and short-sheet the beds. Ernie sees potential in Mike and takes him on as his partner. Despite the disparity in their respective ages, the two men get along well with each other. Ernie teaches Mike the tricks of the trade. You don't flaunt your cash and you don't call attention to yourself. Ernie lives in a small house out by the airport. He is anything but conspicuous and maintains a low profile. Although he did a stretch behind bars, Ernie is smart and doesn't like to take chances. The worst thing that you can say about "Breaking In" is that a prospective criminal might copy Ernie's lifestyle. On the other hand, Mike refuses to abide by Ernie's strategy and he winds up getting busting. The ending is something else.Nevertheless, this crime movie doesn't indulge in brainless antics and histrionics. The modest budget doesn't hurt this thriller and often enhances it. The screenplay by John Sayles of "Eight Men Out" is literate, witty, and filled with irony. "Breaking In" is not a tent-pole movie, but it is a very good movie about a collection of oddball characters told with warmth, humor, and class. This was Albert Salmi's last film before he committed suicide. He appears in one scene with Harry Carey as poker players at Ernie's house. As a director, the Scottish born Forsyth likes to craft small but meaningful films that people who appreciate the finer things in life. One of the best scenes is a supermarket burglary where the Doberman guard dog follows our heroes around during the caper and watches while Ernie blows the safe. Understated but effective crime yarn is pleasant all the way without getting too violent, profane, or sexy. "Breaking In" couldn't have been made back in Hollywood's Golden Age because the lessons that Ernie teaches Mike would never have been allowed by the Production Code Administration.

The movie is a definite watchable and I agree with folks who say this was one of Burt Reynold's better movies. It may also be my one and only claim to fame in the movie world. I was working for General Electric when it was made (if this is the right movie) and provided technical assistance over the phone for a piece of equipment being used on the amusement park set. I saw the movie on TV a year later by chance and saw my name on the credits as it went up the screen (October 11th, 1990). Due to circumstances in my life at that time, I forgot the incident until 3 weeks later and could not remember the movie title. I've been looking for the movie for 20 years now that has my name in the credits, and I think this is it, but I rented it and there is no "technical assistance" category on the rental version. If anyone has knowledge of that category being in the original credits with three names in it, please, please contact me.

I was the music editor on "Breaking In" the experience of working with Bill Forsyth was one of the highlights of my long career. I just wish everyone could see the Director's cut. It was head-and-shoulders above the release edit. It was a very strange hybrid...John Sayles and Bill Forsyth - produced by Sam Goldwyn Jr. I'll never forget the day when Bill got yet another huge list of changes Goldwyn wanted - at the end of the list he asked Bill to respond to the changes he wanted - and also asked Bill(who is a Scot) to recommend a single malt whiskey for a party he was having. Bill sent a case of whiskey to Goldwyn with a note saying "This should answer both of your questions" The name of the whiskey was "KNOCKANDHU" !

In "Breaking In" Reynold's plays a platitude spouting, aging small time independent safecracker who happens upon a young upstart while on a job, takes him under his wing, and teaches him his trade. A lukewarm comedy which does little more than show us the day to day vicissitudes of the safemen, this flick has little to offer save some mildly humorous moments before an unsatisfying conclusion. Okay for sofa spuds and Reynolds' fans. (C+)