Breakin' All the Rules (2004)

Inspired by his fiancée (who dumped him), a man publishes a break-up hand-book for men, becoming a best-selling 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

Quincy 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.

---

Plot Keywords:

lingerie slip | female to male foot in crotch | male female relationship | love | writer | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Comedy | Romance

---

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 USA:

$5,088,577, 16 May 2004, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$11,827,301, 20 June 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Screen Gems,Breakup Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The bonus feature section of the DVD contains a colorized version of the 1935 Three Stooges short 'Hoi Polloi'

---

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.

---

Quotes

Helen Sharp: Hello, I'm Helen, Quincy's muse.
Nicky Callas: Oh. I'm Nicky, Quincy's girlfriend.
Rita Monroe: I'm Rita. I just screw him.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Getaway: Black Monday (2004)

---

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

Foxx is on his way!!

I never really had much to say in the way of Jamie Foxx prior to his recent break out in roles ie. Collateral and although I haven't seen it yet I have no doubt his performance in "Ray" will further my opinions of him. He's a great character actor and possibly on his way to being the caliber of such great African American performers as Denzel Washington and Will Smith. His role in Collateral was scene stealing and up against Tom Cruise's Oscar worth performance it was a challenge but he impressed me. Then comes this fun little romantic comedy. A very different change of pace for Foxx but he pulls it off flawlessly in a amusing, and fun to watch film.

Breakin All The Rules is about an editor turned author who is dumped by his model girlfriend (Bianca Lawson) and during his fit of depression ends up writing a guide to breaking up with people...the right way. His cousin and best friend played perfectly by Morris Chestnut is a womanizer who doesn't believe in these rules until he sees them in action. The book makes Quincy famous, but unlucky in love until he meets the perfect woman in a case of mistaken identity and falls for her. It just so happens she is the latest girlfriend of his cousin who is also in love with her.

The comedy in this film relies heavily on the old formula of mistaken identities, and mix ups in happenings, reminds me of the old Three's Company episodes. The film also relies heavily on the personalities of the characters. The womanizer, the nice misunderstood main character guy, the stuck up model ex girlfriend, the "perfect" woman, and the other supporting characters make the film brilliant. The film is full of former TV sitcom actors which perhaps makes sense being it does play out like an episode of a sitcom but really what is wrong with that? Peter MacNichol of Ally McBeal fame plays his usual character but always fun to watch. He's the perfect blend of superiority while being completely inferior. Leading lady played by Gabrielle Union goes with both Foxx and Chestnut's character and she does a great job. Previously seen as her role on Friends, I was never fond of her although I liked her character in 10 Things I Hate About You and she's had some other great roles. She was perfect for her role in this film. Jennifer Esposito makes a fun little addition to the cast as the slightly psycho girlfriend/fiancée of MacNichol's character. The cast just works so well together and the film is written in such a way that you can't help but enjoy it's simplicity.

I enjoy what everyone on the message board calls "Black Cinema" but this is one of the best because it's still very mainstream without losing the culture. Overall this is a fun film to check out a Saturday night, it's not too heavy but is satisfying and cliché'd which sometimes is a good thing.

7/10