Breakaway

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 a great little movie. Easy and fun to watch. It is cliché and predictable at times, especially towards the end but that does not take away from the heart warming story that is at the core of this movie. The music is great and the few Bollywood type scenes add to the fun and festivity of the movie. Vinay Virmani gives a great performance as does Camilla Belle and Rob Lowe. The best performance of the show however is "the dad" Anupam Kher. His stern yet tender performance is believable from the very start of the movie. Russell Peters seemed a bit stiff and not nearly as funny as his stand up but that does not slow down this movie. A great popcorn movie.

This is a good movie, just for the hockey story. But we are treated to a close look at the Sikh culture, including a traditional wedding with the music, dancing and colorful costumes. There is the usual conflict found in movies such as this between tradition and modern life.

Most of the leading actors do a good job. There are several actors I won't name who seem to be reading their lines about half the time, but both of them are good enough in other scenes and it's merely a distraction when they aren't.

There's plenty of humor here, particularly from people whose family came from India.

I really like Rajveer and Melissa together. They have the expected ups and downs but work really well as a couple.

Rob Lowe does a good job as the coach. At first he doesn't seem to stand out much, but as time goes on he really shows that he is one of the leading actors in the business.

Anupham Kher does an outstanding job as a father who goes from disappointed to proud to ... well, I won't say what happens. Just know he does an amazing job.

Mr. Patel is another standout character.

One of the best scenes involves an old man telling a young boy about the Sikh culture. This scene proves crucial to the success of the hockey team.

It's a worthy effort.

Back in his salad Brat Pack days Rob Lowe played in Youngblood where he played a young hockey star with the name of the title on that film. Almost 30 years later and looking good for his age Lowe is the coach of an amateur hockey team.

It's composed of young Sikh immigrants seeking acceptance in Canada and they play their national sport quite well. One of them is Vinay Virmani who has really rebelled against the Sikh tradition by getting rid of the turban and shaving off the beard.

This is a theme going back to Golden Boy in film, the son who wants to please his parents but also sees the need to adjust to the new surroundings that immigrant kids face.

A lot of Indian/Sikh players got some work in this Canadian production. It's a nice film and I highly recommend it especially to young people to learn about a different culture.

This team composed of Sikhs are classic film heroes in the best tradition.

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.