Breaking the Rules (1992) Reviews

• One of the finest, most underrated 80's film of all time

  ManBehindTheMask632011-03-30

  "Sketches" (aka "Breaking all rules") was a 80's dramedy that was shot in 1989 but not released until 1992, where it played in a limited release before fading into obscurity. Neither title really makes sense though. I remember catching parts of it on TV at night in the late 90's. I recently watched the film and I was pleasantly surprised at how well crafted and touching the performances are. "Sketches" deals with the devastating issue of cancer and how 3 friends confront and cope with the disease by going on a road trip. The film is as touching as it humorous. A touch balance the direct seems to pull off. C. Thomas Howell (too bad his career tanked after the classic underrated "Soul Man") and Johnathan Silverman are good in their roles but a young Jason Bateman easily stills the show as the friend stricken with the disease. I was very impressed with how realistically he portrayed a cancer victim (having seen first hand a relative die from the disease). Overall, "Sketches" is a funny yet tragic 80's buddy film that manages to balance the laughs with the tears. I just wish there was more info on the making of the film and would love to know why exactly it was shelved for 3 years. This film deserves a bigger audience and more praise. 10/10

• Very Touching

  bkoganbing2006-05-25

  Breaking the Rules was one of those films that slipped in and out of theaters before it could develop a following. If it were not for video I think very few would have seen it and that would have been a pity. Three childhood chums have gone their separate ways. In fact two of them are downright hostile to each other. The third, Jason Bateman, succeeds in bringing the other two to some kind of a truce and all three take an automobile trip out west. Bateman feels compelled to do it, he's under a deadline literally. He's got a rare and rapidly growing form of leukemia and has little time left. C. Thomas Howell and Jonathan Silverman play the other two friends, but it's Jason Bateman's touching performance as their dying chum that really drives the film. Bateman's career was in limbo at the time. He had left The Hogan Family and it would be many years before he got another break in Arrested Development. Had this film been better promoted he might have been doing better a whole lot sooner. Annie Potts plays the waitress all three pick up on their way to California and she scores well in her role. But it's really a triple buddy picture with a tragic twist. Catch it if you can when it's broadcast.

• One of the best emotional all-rounded films, I've ever seen

  maxx-101999-03-13

  For such a high scoring film, I can't believe comments haven't been made about such a powerfully moving film such as Sketches. The first time I saw this film, I was unaware of the main storyline. I laughed, I cried, I was moved. I have recommended this film to a number of people and so far no-one has been disappointed. I would definitely recommend this to anybody with feeling. If you have a beating heart - you too will be moved. The way Phil (Bateman) deals with his disease, makes you proud to be his friend. Shows a number of mixed reactions from his friends, and you can relate to every one of them. I have now seen this movie more than 15 times, and each time I came away with something new.

• Why this title?

  Havan_IronOak2001-08-11

  I'm always a sucker for those `what can you say about a girl/guy who's died' kinda movies. From Love Story to Torch Song Trilogy to Brian's Song, in the movies there is a certain sort of nobility endowed by dying. It's a mystery that we all fear and wonder about and ultimately face more or less on our own. There may be others present but we do it alone in our own, individual ways. What's important is what goes before and what we have done for those that we leave behind. This movie deals with that issue and does it in a life affirming way. What Phil (Jason Bateman) does for Gene (C. Thomas Howell) and Rob (Jonathon Silverman) is get them back together as friends, and helps them deal with his impending death while dealing with it himself in the best way that he can. Yes, this theme has been done before. Yes there are aspects that are completely ignored. And Yes, some parts could have been done better, but overall I'm glad that I saw this movie and think that many others would be too. The movie is bittersweet without being maudlin. It has heart and lets the viewer see the emotions of three young men, no mean feat for a movie. When Mary Klinglitch (Annie Potts) joins the group it somehow allows the guys to drop some of their masculine bravado and her presence seems to make the group `whole'. Perhaps its her presence that makes it ok for these guys to be `Breaking the Rules' about way men behave when together.

• Excellent movie!

  Shazam-Cap2005-03-23

  I would highly recommend this comedy-drama to anyone. I sincerely enjoyed this gem of a movie. The acting was great and sincere. It was funny. It was serious and thought provoking. It had some sad moments and some thrilling moments. In the end, it made me cry, so it is definitely an emotional movie. Even though I knew what to expect, or so I thought, the movie caught me off guard with a surprise twist and a very emotional one. I also liked the singing and music in this film. The soundtrack to it must be awesome. The singing was just fantastic. The performances were powerful and enthralling. All in all Breaking the Rules (Sketches) was class-A entertainment and worth viewing by anyone wanting to see a really good show with some substance. I can't recommend it enough. I give it a thumbs up. See this movie. You won't be disappointed.