Breakin' All the Rules (2004)

Inspired by his fiancée (who dumped him), a man publishes a break-up handbook for men, becoming a bestselling author in the process.

Director:

Daniel Taplitz

Writer:

Daniel Taplitz

Stars:

Jamie Foxx, Gabrielle Union, Morris Chestnut

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jamie Foxx	...	Quincy Watson
Gabrielle Union	...	Nicky Callas
Morris Chestnut	...	Evan Fields
Peter MacNicol	...	Philip Gascon
Jennifer Esposito	...	Rita Monroe
Bianca Lawson	...	Helen Sharp
Jill Ritchie	...	Amy
Samantha Nagel	...	Sandra / Executive Assistant
Grace Chan	...	Secretary
Danny Comden	...	Sam
Octavia Spencer	...	Stylist (as Octavia L. Spencer)
Heather Headley	...	Herself
Patrick Cranshaw	...	Mr. Lynch
Tate Taylor	...	Attendant
Bob Stephenson	...	Ticket Master

Storyline

Qunicy Watson, after being unceremoniously dumped by his fiancée, pens a "how to" book on breaking up and becomes a best-selling author on the subject. Not wanting his male friends to suffer the same fate, he gives them advice on dumping their mates. A comedy of errors ensues.

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Plot Keywords:

dating | african american | dog | hospital | female to male foot in crotch | 

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Taglines:

When it comes to getting dumped... He wrote the book.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual material/humor and language

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 May 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Break Up Handbook

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$5,088,577 (USA) (14 May 2004)

Gross:

$11,827,301 (USA) (18 June 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Screen Gems, Breakup Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the making of this movie, Jamie Foxx had cut his hair for Ray. So in the final scene, Foxx is wearing a wig, which is why his hair looks so much longer.

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Goofs

Toward the end of the film when Quincy is running alongside the train yelling at Nicky the passengers in the neighboring cabin alternate between an older man and a younger man.

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Connections

Referenced in The Getaway: Black Monday (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Down n tha Dirty"
Written by Anthony Hatchett, Joe Kent, Mark Williams and Dale Pearson
Performed by Pretty Tony
Courtesy of J Records

User Reviews

One of Jamie Foxx's best

Jamie Foxx is finally starting to show his talent as an actor in the last three years or so. This movie is probably one of the best he's been in with "Ray" and "Collateral" being his two best. This movie flew under the radar and was very good. There were some very competent actors in this film: Jamie Foxx, Morris Chestnut, Gabrielle Union, Jennifer Espesito, and Peter MacNicol all held their own. The story was exceptional. After being dumped by his girlfriend, Quincy Watson (Jamie Foxx) becomes a recluse and compiles a ton of notes on the rules of breaking up. His friend, Evan Fields (Morris Chestnut), saw the brilliance in the notes and helps him put into a book titled "Breakin All the Rules". The book is a big success and Quincy finally emerges from the cocoon he created in his house.

The true story doesn't begin until Quincy meets Evan's girlfriend, Nicky (Gabrielle Union), and falls for her. The movie slyly became a romantic comedy. Along with the main story of Quincy and Nicky, there were other captivating sub-plots that were neatly intertwined with the main plot to keep the movie intriguing. This was a very underrated yet good film.