Review of Breaking In

Introduction

Breaking In is a low-key release from MGM from the Burt Reynolds back catalogue. Written by John Sayles and directed by Bill Forsyth, this 1989 film stars Reynolds as aging safecracker Ernie Mullins. Ernie meets Mike Lafeve (Casey Siemaszko) after they both break into the same house at the same time. Ernie is old school and so breaks in silently, while dressed in suit and tie. Mike, however, is clearly one of the new breed, sneaking in through an insecure window in jeans and trainers, whilst singing some banal rock track to himself. After surprising each other, the two reach a compromise, swap stories and leave after the safe is cracked. Ernie is a pro, while Mike has only been breaking into houses for the thrill and doesn`t steal anything, just helps himself to food from the refrigerator and watches some TV.

Mike is back working at his day job as a tyre fitter the next day, when Ernie calls him on the phone arranging to meet. Ernie is looking for an accomplice, a lookout, and wants to test Mike out. After passing the test by spending all night on top of a building, Ernie gives Mike his address and invites him over so they can discuss his new career move further. Mike is surprised that Ernie lives in such a low-key house in line with a runway from the local airport. He soon discovers that having jets fly over is perfect cover for practising his safe blowing skills.

Almost immediately the dastardly duo are breaking into a number of stores, houses and other likely targets, stealing plenty of money along the way. All the time the aging and wiser Mullins is imparting his knowledge and experience on not only how to be successful in their chosen profession but also how to handle the rewards. Mike, however, is young and immature, and so makes mistakes along the way to finding some kind of professionalism.

Video

The picture is nothing spectacular but adequate for a film of it`s age.

Audio

Mainly a dialogue-driven film with a soundtrack in Dolby Digital 2.0. All the dialogue is clear. There are a nice number of additional soundtracks in foreign languages as well as subtitles.

Features

You`re kidding, right? Maybe they were kept in one of the safes that Ernie and Mike broke into…

Conclusion

A bit of an understated comedy from Bill Forsyth (Gregory`s Girl, Local Hero) that just eases itself along and brings out the low-key charm of Burt Reynolds. There is a real contrast in this tale of an odd couple, Reynolds is the no-nonsense pro against Siemaszko`s enthusiastic young pup. The joy on Mike`s face as he blows is first safe in Ernie`s cellar is obvious and infectious, even though he has burnt the contents to cinder. Luckily it`s just some old newspaper placed in their by Reynolds, who obviously knew what was going to happen.

The relationship between the two starts as master and padawan but gradually moves onto a more father and son type relationship. Reynolds dispenses the advice and Siemaszko forgets some of it, as kids do, and messes up. Although Reynolds clearly is the star of this film, name wise and performance wise, this film is really about the coming of age of Mike Lafeve, played superbly by Casey Siemaszko.

I`ve used the words `low-key` and `understated` in various places here, and those words really sum up this film. It ambles along quite amiably, no big chases or outbreaks of violence. It`s an understated comedy (there`s that word again) that doesn`t present you with in-yer-face laughs, they`re just there if you want to appreciate them. The only problem with a film like this, though, is that it can drop into a lull and does on a few occasions. If you can stand that though, this is a nice film to just drift away with on a pleasant afternoon. Not for everyone, but nice enough.