Breaking Up (1997)

Monica teaches, Steve's a photographer. They've dated more than two years. They're arguing, and she leaves for her apartment, only to return in a few minutes to say they should stop seeing ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Greenwald

Writers:

Michael Cristofer (play), Michael Cristofer (screenplay)

Stars:

Russell Crowe, Salma Hayek, Abraham Alvarez

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Russell Crowe	...	Steve
Salma Hayek	...	Monica
Abraham Alvarez	...	Minister

Storyline

Monica teaches, Steve's a photographer. They've dated more than two years. They're arguing, and she leaves for her apartment, only to return in a few minutes to say they should stop seeing each other. A few days later, they're back together, but within two hours, he takes offense at an off-hand remark, and the separation starts in earnest. They see other people, then, out of the blue, Steve asks Monica to marry him. She says yes, and a time of ecstasy begins: they interview strangers, asking them what makes a marriage work, and she moves in with him. Then comes the wedding, and when Steve freezes, anger rends the relationship again. Can harmony return?

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Plot Keywords:

anger | apartment | desire | break up | discussion | 

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Taglines:

When the sex is great. When the passion is intense. When the love is strong. It's time for... breaking up.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 October 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amor em Chamas

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Greenlight Productions, New Regency Pictures, Regency Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Monica: You really make me sick.
Steve: Oh, thank you very much!
Monica: If I eat, I wanna throw up. If I don't, I get a headache. If I sleep, I have nightmares. If I don't sleep, I get depressed. I can't move. I am stuck on a chair, just going over every word, and it just makes me even sicker.
Steve: This is your idea of a conversation?

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Connections

Referenced in Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election (2002)

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Soundtracks

"I HEAR BELLS (WEDDING BELLS)"
Written by Bob Strong, Tony Love
Performed by The Dell Vikings

User Reviews

BREAKING UP BUT NOT BREAKING AWAY

The first time I rented this movie, it seemed a bit annoying because of all the arguing, etc., but it entertained me enough to give it a second look and I ended up buying it. It speaks to the need in all human beings to love and be loved and all those weird things we say and do to somehow keep it from happening to us. I felt like I was in the front row of an off-broadway play and admired the characters so much for having to learn all that dialogue and have no other actors to share the load. My favorite scene is the middle of the night at Monica's place when Steve is quietly trying to leave and the ensuing conversation they have. The very last scene was open to the viewer's own feeling - we know they were each other's one true love but we had to decide what their future held (Personally, I think they ran in to each other in New York - in a taxi - after their children had grown and their first marriages were over and lived happily ever after - unmarried, of course!) Great acting by Salma Hayak and Russell Crowe.

A few technical flaws along the way, but all in all the way the music played with the scenes, a good dose of humor, and the realistic love scenes pretty much rounded out the on again/off again true love relationship Monica & Steve aspired to. *** out of ****