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Breaking the Rules

  • 1992
  • PG-13
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
775
YOUR RATING
Breaking the Rules (1992)
Two friends take their dying buddy on one last road trip.
Play trailer1:40
1 Video
13 Photos
ComedyDrama

Two friends take their dying buddy on one last road trip.Two friends take their dying buddy on one last road trip.Two friends take their dying buddy on one last road trip.

  • Director
    • Neal Israel
  • Writer
    • Paul W. Shapiro
  • Stars
    • Jason Bateman
    • C. Thomas Howell
    • Jonathan Silverman
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.5/10
    775
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Neal Israel
    • Writer
      • Paul W. Shapiro
    • Stars
      • Jason Bateman
      • C. Thomas Howell
      • Jonathan Silverman
    • 27User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:40
    Trailer

    Photos12

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    + 7
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    Top cast18

    Edit
    Jason Bateman
    Jason Bateman
    • Phil Stepler
    C. Thomas Howell
    C. Thomas Howell
    • Gene Michaels
    Jonathan Silverman
    Jonathan Silverman
    • Rob Konigsberg
    Annie Potts
    Annie Potts
    • Mary Klinglitch
    Krista Tesreau
    • Rob's Date
    Kent Bateman
    • Mr. Stepler
    Shawn Phelan
    Shawn Phelan
    • Young Phil
    Jackey Vinson
    Jackey Vinson
    • Young Gene
    Marty Belafsky
    Marty Belafsky
    • Young Rob
    Eurlyne Epper
    • Redneck Woman
    Jeff Dashnaw
    Jeff Dashnaw
    • Redneck #1
    Steve Chambers
    • Redneck #2
    Mark Rosenblatt
    • Bartender
    Frank Wagner
    • Justice of the Peace
    Manuel Pickett
    • Minister in Arizona
    Angelbertha Cobb
    • Widow in Arizona
    Beverly Guard
    • Minister at Funeral
    Frank Welker
    Frank Welker
    • Special Vocal Effects
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • Neal Israel
    • Writer
      • Paul W. Shapiro
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews27

    5.5775
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    Featured reviews

    ManBehindTheMask63

    One of the finest, most underrated 80's film of all time

    "Sketches" (aka "Breaking all rules") was a 80's dramedy that was shot in 1989 but not released until 1992, where it played in a limited release before fading into obscurity. Neither title really makes sense though.

    I remember catching parts of it on TV at night in the late 90's. I recently watched the film and I was pleasantly surprised at how well crafted and touching the performances are. "Sketches" deals with the devastating issue of cancer and how 3 friends confront and cope with the disease by going on a road trip. The film is as touching as it humorous. A touch balance the direct seems to pull off. C. Thomas Howell (too bad his career tanked after the classic underrated "Soul Man") and Johnathan Silverman are good in their roles but a young Jason Bateman easily stills the show as the friend stricken with the disease. I was very impressed with how realistically he portrayed a cancer victim (having seen first hand a relative die from the disease).

    Overall, "Sketches" is a funny yet tragic 80's buddy film that manages to balance the laughs with the tears. I just wish there was more info on the making of the film and would love to know why exactly it was shelved for 3 years. This film deserves a bigger audience and more praise. 10/10
    johnmorghen

    Now, let's be totally honest here...

    "BREAKING THE RULES" has a good cast and a competent storyline that provides an "anything can happen" atmosphere, yet the end result is far from satisfying.

    With Neal Israel at the helm, and the talents of Jonathan Silverman, Jason Bateman, C. Thomas Howell and Annie Potts, I expected much more, but the overall feel of the film is that of "un-feeling". Most of the situations are just not funny, and I wish I could care for the plight of these characters, but I didn't.

    There are all too many implausibilities that plague the film and take away from it's potential. For example, Howell, Bateman and Silverman have several moments in the film where they "croon" out a few tunes, and their stand-in singing voices are beyond unbelievable, which ultimately distracts the possible fun of these scenes.

    This is not a bad film, but it could have been so much better.
    knightrider32935

    No one gave this movie a chance

    I saw the movie it was great I think Jonathan Silverman, C. Thomas Howell, Justin Bateman, and Annie Potts did great. It was pretty emotional when Phil (Justin Bateman) was dying. I'm surprised it's not even a cult classic. It would've been nice if they had someone else other than Annie Potts I think she was too old for all three.
    aloha69m

    Excellent movie for what it is...

    The acting is not the greatest, sound dubbing was a real joke, but the story and the feeling of the movie was amazing. If you watch this movie and don't feel it in your heart, call the coroner... you are dead.

    I would LOVE to have this movie in my DVD collection, I just have to get them to put it on DVD. I personally think it was GREAT! Guys seem to have a problem getting caught showing their feelings. If you have feelings, don't watch this movie with a woman if showing your emotions is a no.. no. If you have ever lost a friend, this will bring back all of the emotions. If you are losing a friend, this movie will hurt even more.

    I take one star for the cheesy acting and the poor dubbing, but the other four stars are solid. I recommend it highly.
    wwf_madddogg

    It's the feeling

    How can you enjoy a movie when your ripping it into little pieces and analyzing it.

    This movie wasn't about the money apparently.

    It was dedicated to S.I. I don't know who that is, but it was dedicated to them never the less. I like the movie a lot. Any movie that can move you that much is a great movie.

    I got all I wanted from it.

    Beautiful.

    Enough said.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Filmed in 1989 but remained unreleased until 1992 due to the original studio filing for bankruptcy.
    • Quotes

      Gene Michaels: Hey man, I've got a rule: never question the intentions of anything over eight feet, okay?

    • Crazy credits
      THIS FILM DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF S.I.
    • Connections
      Features Jeopardy! (1984)
    • Soundtracks
      Crazy Little Thing Called Love
      Music and Lyrics by Freddie Mercury

      Performed by Queen

      Administered by EMI Publishing/Queen Music

      Courtesy of Hollywood Records for the United States and Canada and Courtesy of EMI Records for the remainder of the world

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    FAQ

    • How long is Breaking the Rules?
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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 9, 1992 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sketches
    • Filming locations
      • Old Sacramento Historic District, Sacramento, California, USA(Delta King)
    • Production companies
      • Management Company Entertainment Group (MCEG)
      • Sterling Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $52,285
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $23,175
      • Oct 11, 1992
    • Gross worldwide
      • $52,285
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

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