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.

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.

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.

The movie was enjoyable overall. The film was nearly identical to Bend it Like Beckham. Anupam Kheer played the same role. The film has a solid cast and many local Toronto celebs.

The film is worth watching for Camilla Belle alone. She is a beautiful women and she looks amazing in Indian clothes. She is not the best actress, but makes up for it in looks.

The film had it's funny moments, but could have been so much funnier with Russell Peters playing the future son-in-law role. If you are looking for a fun, entertaining, and light hearted film, this is a good movie.

Stumbled upon the movie a bit late but I am glad I did - I just loved the movie. For a low budget movie, it was slickly done. Yes, it is similar to Patiala House and Bend It Like Beckham but being shot it Toronto made it interesting. BTW, I liked it better than the other two. Acting was decent and there were quite a few funny moments. It didn't seem that Vinay Virmani was a debutante. Camilla Belle did a good job and looked extremely pretty in Indian clothes. Russell Peters was a bit disappointing to me but that is probably because his was a slightly negative role. Comedians are not supposed to be mean. Cameos of Drake and Akshay Kumar were great. I loved the song Sheran Di Fauj Punjabi. For expatriates this was a great light movie - not worthy of an Oscar but very relaxing.