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	...	Heather Headley
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.

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Plot Keywords:

apostrophe in title | punctuation in title | four word title | best selling author | lingerie slip | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Nicky meets Quincy in the club, she tells him her name is "Mary". Gabrielle Union later played the title character in Being Mary Jane (2013).

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Goofs

When Quincy goes to Nicky's house to find her after he discovers that his cousin is marrying Rita. When he has the conversation with Amy her hair changes position between shots.

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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.

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Connections

Referenced in Workaholics: The Strike (2011)

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Soundtracks

Keep on Holdin' on
Written by Marcus Miller
Performed by Marcus Miller
From the Motion Picture "The Brothers"
Under license from Screen Gems, Inc.

User Reviews

A smart black comedy

I saw an advanced screening of Breakin' All the Rules and I have to say it was a refreshing change of pace from recent black comedies (like the mindless Johnson Family Vacation). This was a very smart comedy with interesting plot turns and twist and, for me, the most important element was believable characters. However, with Morris Chestnut and Gabrielle Union in the cast (do they have to be in every romantic, black comedy?) the movie reminded me a bit of their previous movie, Two Can Play That Game.

Jamie Foxx does a great job of carrying the movie and Peter McNichole is great as the powerful company executive that needs Jamie's help because he afraid to break up with his gold digging girlfriend. And although I've mentioned this as a "black comedy" it really is colorless. Bottom line, the movie was entertaining and well worth seeing!

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

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,088,577, 16 May 2004

Gross USA:

$12,264,319

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,544,254

Company Credits

Production Co:

Screen Gems, Breakup Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1