Breaking In

source: Breaking In

Breaking In (1989) 3.5/4 'Breaking In' was billed as a late comeback for the legendary Burt Reynolds in the late 1980's. The movie seems just that; Reynolds was in a real slump in the 80's; it's like he almost became a parody of himself. Bad action films, horrible comedies, etc. (To be fair, he did have some redeeming films in the early 80's; but one too many Cannonball movies killed him). Before the 80's, Reynolds had shown that he had some kind of acting charisma in him; Deliverance is a great example, it's a real performance that particularly stands out in a thoughtfully disturbing action thriller. 'Breaking In' is almost as good of a performance. In the movie, Reynolds plays a veteran bank robber who is performing a con, while a rookie (Casey Siemaszko) breaks into the same house; it doesn't take long for them to figure out their own professions. As they get to know each other, they start to form a partnership. I won't say what happens next, but judging from their professions, I'm sure you can guess. Now, I have to say; a real chemistry forms between Reynolds and Siemaszko, and you start to care for them. It certainly helps that the film is constantly entertaining and intelligently directed. It's a charmingly well acted small dramatic vehicle for Reynolds, and it's the kind of role you wouldn't expect him to take. 'Breaking In' is by no means a perfect film, but a hidden gem; I believe it's one of Reynolds's best.

After a string of good but neglected action flicks as a character either a decade younger or else acting that way, Burt Reynolds plays a professional safe cracker at sixty-one while in his early fifties: a smooth, experienced veteran of life, and without a distracting toupee: in fact Burt's Ernie Mullins is both gray-haired and slightly balding... Overall his performance is a non-performance, natural and laidback, perfect for LOCAL HERO director Bill Forsyth, making this another hangout indie, written by indie guru John Sayles and co-starring Casey Siemaszko as the young wannabe burglar who meets Ernie is one of many great sequences, seeming like connected short stories, each with a beginning, middle and end... Which are the partnered-up heists/lessons-in-crime (that provides BREAKING IN a double-meaning), ranging from a suburban home to a grocery store to a roller rink and other quirky targets around Portland, Oregon, a town that, like the story, is subtle and parenthetical, paced like a European art film befitting the Scottish auteur... And although young Casey occasionally overplays the naive dolt, he's a perfect fit for an old guy dying to discuss past crimes, and has made a semi-retirement out of taking risks that are never too suspenseful and yet, as a buddy comedy, the heists keeps the audience intrigued and always guessing.

Weary loner veteran professional thief Ernie Mullins (Burt Reynolds at his most relaxed and engaging) teaches eager beaver small-time novice Mike Lafebb (a fine and likable performance by Casey Siemaszko) the tricks of the trade by having Mike assist him on a series of heists. Director Bill Forsyth, working from a smart and witty script by John Sayles, brings a real sweet idiosyncratic charm and a good-natured sensibility to the premise. Moreover, Forsyth wisely eschews broad humor in favor of a more gentle and low-key approach that still gets laughs as well as adds a winningly natural and unforced warmth to the often delightfully quirky proceedings. The mentor/student relationship between the two sympathetic central characters gives this picture genuine heart, depth, and poignancy, with Reynolds doing ace work as a seasoned older man with a limp, bad knees, and a strong personal code of ethics about what he does for a living. The skillful and precise capers are a total joy to watch. The excellent acting by the super cast keeps the movie humming: Reynolds and Siemaszko display a loose and pleasant chemistry in the leads, with sturdy support from Sheila Kennedy as ditsy prostitute Carrie, Lorraine Toussaint as worldly hooker Delphine, Maury Chaykin as shrewd lawyer Vincent Tucci, and Stephen Tobolowsky as a slippery district attorney. Both Michael Coulter's crisp widescreen cinematography and Michael Gibbs' harmonic score are up to speed. A lovely little gem.

One could easily accuse the late film star Burt Reynolds of having often wasted his time with substandard scripts. But sometimes, he *would* get a great role, and make the most of the situation. Here, he dials down his natural screen charisma a bit for his first real character role. Ernie is a veteran, expert thief plying his trade in an unnamed city. Then, one night, he and smalltime punk Mike (Casey Siemaszko) break into the same house. Handling himself with aplomb, Ernie later gives Mike half of his take, reasoning that it's "better to have a partner than a witness". Realizing the kids' potential, Ernie takes Mike under his wing, instructing him in the fine art of breaking into safes. But Mike is understandably still fairly immature, and starts spreading his ill-gotten gains around, arousing suspicions. Two indie greats, screenwriter John Sayles ("Lone Star", "Eight Men Out", etc.) and filmmaker Bill Forsyth ("Local Hero") have fashioned an appealing combination of low-key character study and caper comedy. Forsyth displays a nice light touch, preventing the story from ever getting overly serious, and including some funny moments (like two guard dogs that don't seem to be very good at their jobs). Sayles' dialogue does have some great lines along the way, and the characters and their relationships are reasonably realistic; just as this amiable film never gets too glum, neither does it ever get too goofy. The supporting cast features a number of familiar faces: Sheila Kelley (as the airhead hooker who becomes Mikes' girlfriend), Lorraine Toussaint, Albert Salmi (in his last feature film appearance), Harry Carey Jr., Maury Chaykin, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Alan Fudge. Siemaszko is definitely good as Mike, really selling his characters' youthful naivety and willingness to learn, but it's Reynolds who provides the true emotional centre of "Breaking In". It's too bad he didn't get more roles of this caliber. Well-made and well-paced, this features a great score by Michael Gibbs, and doesn't go on any longer than it really should. Eight out of 10.

Burt Reynolds has had a very shaky career. Truth be told he has made far more bad movies than he has good movies. I personally believe it is because of very poor choices, such as , lame cop movies, smokey and the bandit sequels and both cannonball run flicks. However, amongst the very large pile of "ruff" this movie is a real diamond. His character of "Earnie", the gruff but lovable experienced thief taking a young naive kid under his wing trying to teach him the ropes and tricks of the trade is done with such subtle depth by Reynolds, that it caught me completely and delightfully offgaurd. When you think about it, this was not a big budget movie and Burt gives a fantastic performance just like he does in "Boogie Nights", which is also not a big budget film. Yet when it is a huge budget movie, Reynolds tends to give rather unispired and perfunctory performances. Maybe he should stick with these indie flicks more often.

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.

"Breaking In" is a sweet jewel of a film. It is the story of a career safe cracker(Burt Reynolds) who takes on an apprentice(Casey Siemaszko) and the very odd relationship that takes place between the characters played brilliantly by both Burt and Casey. Reynolds character Ernie is mentor to Casey's character Mike. They pull off a series of "Break Ins" with unexpected results which bring a laugh and a cry. Film Watchers will be happy, because of the great cast and with how the old adage: "We all have a little larceny in our blood" is perfectly depicted. Makes you think...

Burt Reynold's was one of the greats. "Breaking In" is not his last movie but it is the last of the great ones. Burt gives a terrific performance. Casey Siemaszko is just as good. Both of them deserved Oscar nominations for this movie. "Breaking In" is a lot of fun. I first saw this movie in the theater. I've seen it a bunch of times since. It never fails to hit the spot.

Pardon my pun above, but if there's any reason at all to try and catch Breaking In, Burt Reynolds is the main reason. He underplays Ernie, a veteran safe cracker who goes about his business being low key and certainly not flashy at all. He winds up teaming up with a youngster named Mike, played by Casey Siemaszko, who rejuvenates Ernie and he hires him as an apprentice for odd jobs cracking safes. The first half of the forgotten film is the better half because of Reynolds' performance as the aging thief, and is both sympathetic and funny, especially the scenes he's teaching Mike the ropes. It's unfortunate Burt passed up on many good movie roles because the man can act. Anyhow, the latter half of Breaking In revolves around how flashy Mike has become with his cash rewards and his hooker/on and off girlfriend, which I thought slowed the film down a bit. I found Carrie annoying and uninteresting and rather selfish; not sure what Mike saw in her. Watch this film mainly for Reynolds' performance, as he plays his role convincingly and develops decent chemistry with Mike. Siemaszko also plays his role well, but not quite up to par with his partner in crime.