Break Up (1998)

Jimmy is married to the abusive Frank, but she's building a nest egg so she can leave. For a year, she's been deaf as a result of one of his beatings. One night, he pushes her over the ... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Marcus

Writer:

Anne Amanda Opotowsky

Stars:

Bridget Fonda, Kiefer Sutherland, Hart Bochner

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bridget Fonda	...	Jimmy Dade
Kiefer Sutherland	...	John Box
Hart Bochner	...	Frankie Dade
Steven Weber	...	Officer Andrew Ramsey
Penelope Ann Miller	...	Grace
Tippi Hedren	...	Mom
Leslie Stefanson	...	Shelly
Mike Hagerty	...	George (as Michael Hagerty)
Tom Harrison	...	Nan
Charles Noland	...	Neighbor
Muse Watson	...	Baker Cop #1
Matt O'Toole	...	Liquor Store Owner
Abraham Verduzco	...	Boy
Anna Getty	...	Waitress
Zack Tiegen	...	L.A.P.D. Cop (as Zach Tiegan)

Storyline

Jimmy is married to the abusive Frank, but she's building a nest egg so she can leave. For a year, she's been deaf as a result of one of his beatings. One night, he pushes her over the stairwell, and she ends up in the hospital. When a charred body in her husband's car is pulled from a pond, the cops want to talk to her, but she bolts for her sister's, loses her savings pass-book, and then learns someone has emptied her bank account. She's goes on the run, with the same cops on her trail, and eventually realizes Frank may not be dead. Getting back her money, facing Frank, satisfying the police, and finding her freedom may be more than she can handle.

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Plot Keywords:

deaf | hospital | nest egg | falling from height | unwanted kiss | 

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Taglines:

Silent Betrayal. Deadly Passion. Sweet Revenge.

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Genres:

Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brutal violence including domestic abuse, strong sexuality and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 August 1998 (Italy)

Also Known As:

The Break Up

Filming Locations:

Bakersfield, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Front Street Pictures, Millennium Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (FotoKem)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Many of the featured extras that played Baker cops were actual officers from local stations. In a few of the scenes the director told them "just do it as you would in real life."

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Goofs

When Jimmy is pointing a revolver at Officer Ramsey in the rest room, and later when she shoots Frankie with the same gun, it is obvious from the frontal camera angle that the weapon is not loaded. Its chambers are clearly empty.

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Quotes

County Sheriff #2: [talking to Ramsey about their hard investigation] Yeah... I could never go through what you guys go through, too much bullshit on top of bullshit.

User Reviews

excellent, dark, sinister and moving. full of suspense

excellent drama. very dark. i have never seen california photographed in such a way. bridget fonda as the deaf wife beaten by her husband is superb. the film gripped me from start to finish. very understated performance by sutherland. the direction was very european. amazing to get such a performance from fonda.