Breakdown (1997/I)

Director:

Jonathan Mostow

Writers (WGA):

Jonathan Mostow (story)
Jonathan Mostow (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

2 May 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

No-one is safe from chance

Plot:

A man searches for his missing wife after his car breaks down in the middle of the desert.

Plot Keywords:

Diner | Jeep | Desert | Ransom | Truck Driver

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Kurt Russell	...	Jeffrey 'Jeff' Taylor
J.T. Walsh	...	Warren 'Red' Barr
Kathleen Quinlan	...	Amy Taylor
M.C. Gainey	...	Earl
Jack Noseworthy	...	Billy
Rex Linn	...	Sheriff Boyd
Ritch Brinkley	...	Al
Moira Harris	...	Arleen Barr
Kim Robillard	...	Deputy Len Carver
Thomas Kopache	...	Calhoun
Jack McGee	...	Bartender at Belle's Diner
Vincent Berry	...	Deke Barr
Helen Duffy	...	Flo
Ancel Cook	...	Barfly at Belle's Diner
Gene Hartline	...	Tow Truck Driver

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence/terror and language.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:14 (original rating) | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Australia:M | Germany:16 | Ireland:15 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #34949) | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

American River, Sacramento, California, USA

Company:

Dino De Laurentiis Company

Trivia:

Kurt Russell has starred with J.T. Walsh twice before, in Tequila Sunrise (1988) and Executive Decision (1996).

Goofs:

Continuity: When Jeff is in the F-150 with the bad dude, the right side mirror is knocked off, but then it can be seen from the shot from inside the car.

Quotes:

Billy, Gang Member: [to Jeff] You the fella looking for his wife?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Road (2002)

Soundtrack:

Burgers & Fries

Fine thriller with believable plot twists, exciting climax

BREAKDOWN (1997)

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35)

Sound format: Dolby Digital

After their car breaks down in open country, a married couple (Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan) are pitched into mortal danger when Quinlan disappears after accepting help from a sinister trucker (J.T. Walsh).

Well-scripted thriller, in which Russell and Quinlan become entangled in a ghoulish extortion plot after falling prey to some less than savory characters (I'll say no more). Believable plot twists lead to a dynamic climax which should have most viewers rivetted to their seats, and which probably accounted for director Jonathan Mostow being hired to direct TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES (2003). Tense, exciting stuff, worth a look.