The Breaks (1999)

A Sunday in the life of Derrick King, an Irish kid raised in South Central L.A. by a Black family. He talks Black, dresses Black, and thinks of himself as Black. It's a day of disasters: ... See full summary »

Director:

Eric Meza

Writer:

Mitch Mullany

Stars:

Isaiah Barnes, Paula Bel, Paul Benjamin

Cast

Credited cast:
Isaiah Barnes	...	Charles
Paula Bel	...	Paula - 'the Ho'
Paul Benjamin	...	Clerk
Lamont Bentley	...	Darryl
George Clinton	...	Himself
Loretta Devine	...	Floria
Justin Doran	...	Nilla
E-40	...	Judge
Pierre Edwards	...	The Pimp (as Pierre)
Alex Esta	...	Poet Ling Ling
Art Evans
John Farley	...	Police Officer
Kevin P. Farley	...	Police Officer
Ricky Harris	...	Militant Leader
Charity Hill	...	Dream Girl

Storyline

A Sunday in the life of Derrick King, an Irish kid raised in South Central L.A. by a Black family. He talks Black, dresses Black, and thinks of himself as Black. It's a day of disasters: his mom kicks him out of the house, his uncle fires him, the woman he loves dismisses him as childish, the LAPD (wearing Confederate-flag shoulder patches) impounds his car and tosses him in the drunk tank, a mean dude is after him for money, he's imprisoned in a store basement by gay sadists, and he's shot at. Along the way, however, he shows kindness to a near-sighted kid, and those random acts may prove to be his salvation.

---

Plot Keywords:

irish | hip hop | adoption | family relationships | irish american | 

---

Taglines:

He's a brother that pales by comparison.

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong crude sexuality and language, and for violence and drug content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 February 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Breaks

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When the three get "Kidnapped" by the owner of the pawn shop owner and his friends. The gags they are wearing go from tight to very loose in between shots.

---

Crazy Credits

During the ending credits, the pimp gives his advice and opinions of the "Pimping Game."

---

Connections

Spoofs Titanic (1997)

User Reviews

Definitely not as bad as some people have said

I had a feeling that "The Breaks" would have some bad reviews on IMDb, but it is good to see that it had some very high ones too because it is not a bad movie.

I think what turns people off is the opening sequence. The opening sequence in this movie is poorly acted and has some bad gags that could of turned out better if it was acted better. But don't have a negative attitude towards this movie forever after that. After the movie gets going it becomes funnier and the actors that did poorly in the beginning suddenly start doing well. And it is great for rest of the movie.

The jokes in this movie (bar the opening sequence) are very funny and sometimes very original. There are some good laugh out loud moments.

Acting wise it is pretty good (once again, bar the opening sequence). Some good cameos throughout too.

Overall it is not the funniest movie ever but it is very entertaining. It may be enjoyed more if you are a fan of hip hop and/or hood movies but I'm pretty sure someone not familiar with that whole scene will still enjoy this movie. A funny, original comedy.