Break Point (2014) User Reviews

It's just funny, plane and simple.

[subxerogravity · 6/10 · 8 September 2015]

The movie is not met to change lives but it will supply you with a lot of laughs if you go out and see it.

Especially, Jeremy Sisto, who nailed it. He showed some serious comedy chops that I did not know he had. Think I only see him in dramas like Law & Order. He was brilliant as the charming lovable washed up Tennis player trying to get back into the game.

Although I felt David Walton, who played the younger brother who was loured back onto the courts by his brother so he can play doubles, was not that good of a straight man to Sisto's hilarious performance, but his relationship with an eleven year old boy he substitute taught for was where he got to shine. These two were too much together.

It's not going to be the greatest sports movie of all time or the greatest sports comedy ever, In fact the whole Tennis thing feels no more than back ground for the relationship of all the characters, which includes J.K. Simmons as the dad, but overall it's a guaranteed laugh. You won't be able to help yourself.

Two brothers who just cannot let go of their baggage takes a humorous approach

[Ed-Shullivan · 6/10 · 10 August 2017]

Tennis anyone? Well the story line surrounds two brothers, older reckless brother Jimmy (Jeremy Sisto) and his sensitive kid brother Darren (David Walton) who at a young age took to competitive tennis. Jimmy won a few tournaments leaving his kid brother behind and feeling abandoned when their mother dies. So although the film focuses on Jimmy's desire to reach for the top when he is way past his prime age (35) for professional tennis, Jimmy through the process of elimination and left with few alternatives convinces his kid brother Darren, to enter into a qualifying pairs tournament that if they win could get them a starting position in a major pairs tournament.

The film actually evolves around an out of shape Jimmy who would rather drink to excess and irritate everyone around him and his strained relationship with his kid brother Darren. If you can get through the first 20 minutes of what I felt was more of a documentary style of filming, you will be rewarded with a better result by the end of the film than I had expected.

There is a decent supporting group of characters which includes J K Simmons as the two brothers father named Jack who operates a veterinary clinic with his attractive assistant named Heather (played by Amy Smart) who as teenagers chummed around with Darren and Jimmy. As we get to know the two brothers personalities we recognize that Jimmy is an extrovert and Darren is an introvert. Jimmy's brashness has bugged younger brother Darren since they were kids and Jimmy in no uncertain terms tells Darren if he still has a crush on their father's veterinary assistant Heather, he better step up to the plate and tell her so that he can do the bedroom tango with her which has been Darren's desire for too many years.

There is also some witty side humor provided by character actors Chris Parnell, Adam Devine (you may know him as Andy on the hit TV series Modern Family) and a young boy named Barry (played by Joshua Rush) who is in dire need of a father figure since he lives with his grandmother. Young Barry tries extremely hard to latch on to his supply teacher for the summer who happens to be the depressed Darren, but Barry keeps receiving more unsolicited fatherly advice from a belligerent source that being Darren's older brother Jimmy.

There are sufficient characters and multiple story lines to keep the audience engaged. I would not try and compare it to the more successful 2014 feature film "St. Vincent" starring Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, and a young star named Jaeden Lieberher, but I did feel that there was an attempt by both films to make us aware that boys who are fatherless will look for someone, anyone, to provide them with some level of male guidance and any attention, be it good or bad attention.

Overall, I liked the film and I think it is well worth watching if you can just be patient and get through the first 20 minutes or so of dribble. It would appear that the inexperienced film director Jay Karas should stick more to TV series (as his resume is almost entirely focused on TV series) than feature films. Maybe that is what held the film back. Either way I give the film a decent 6 out of 10 rating.

Can Be Quite Crude But Also Quite Funny & Warm-Hearted

[larrys3 · 7/10 · 8 March 2016]

This indie has lots of raw language and some sexual references, but it also can be quite funny and, as it progresses, can get increasingly warm- hearted.

Both Jeremy Sisto and David Walton are excellent in their lead roles as brothers Jimmy and Darren Price respectively. They're polar opposites in personality and have been estranged for a number of years. They had been successful amateur tennis doubles partners, but shortly after their mother's premature death, Jimmy left Darren in the lurch to join a hotshot tennis pro as his partner.

However, Jimmy has burnt one too many bridges behind him and is now desperate for a doubles partner to try and qualify for the Alerian Open, in Palm Springs. Thus, he'll finally approach his brother, as a last resort, to play with him. They'll be plenty of "bumps in the road" as the two will try to put aside their differences.

As usual, J.K. Simmons is most solid as their father Jack, a veterinarian, and Amy Smart adds well to the mix as Heather, a possible love interest for Darren. However, it's 11-year-old Barry, wonderfully portrayed by Joshua Rush, who often "steals the show" here.

All in all, this movie ably directed by Jay Karas, with a fine script from Gene Hong, can get silly right near the end, but overall, if you don't mind the crudeness, I found it to be rather funny and a pleasant surprise.

Feel good flick

[wetkuma-45456 · 6/10 · 4 April 2020]

The plot is predictable. But the cast makes this movie worth watching. It had just enough tough love to balance the saccharine in the coming of age and late bloomer film.

Stupid movie, not worth watching

[deloudelouvain · 5/10 · 1 October 2015]

One thing is for sure after watching this movie. I will never watch a movie again about tennis. Tennis in real life is a little bit boring but in a movie it is an absolute disaster. Half of the movie it is just movie shots of the ball bouncing back and forth. So when it's not even a real competition it's really boring, like watching somebody practice, there is absolute no joy in that besides for the player himself. Now I thought there would be a little bit of humour in it, but even that is not good. It's the kind of humour that sometimes make you have a tiny little grin and then you hope there will be more and better. But that never happens in the whole movie. If you have absolutely nothing else to do just go out and play tennis yourself, you will be more entertained.

mildly amusing

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 16 December 2016]

Jimmy Price (Jeremy Sisto) is a tennis player on his last legs. He antagonizes everybody including his doubles partner. He needs a new partner. His veterinary father Jack (J.K. Simmons) suggests his younger brother Darren (David Walton) despite double-crossing him when they were younger. Darren is a substitute teacher who is befriended by a clingy boy named Barry. Darren is taken with Jack's assistant Heather (Amy Smart) who has boyfriend Gary. Barry opines, "Our names rhyme. It's mildly amusing".

One gets the feeling that this was written as a wacky comedy but it's at best mildly amusing. Neither Sisto nor Walton are outright comedians although they sometimes do comedic acting. In this one, they don't really try that hard. The lines are sometimes there but the delivery is flat. I keep thinking this is a Will Ferrell comedy without Will Ferrell. It might be better to go darker and more serious with the story. Or just give it to Ferrell for him to go completely nuts.

The comedy is simple and fresh and you won't regret watching it ... Hope you enjoy it.

[Aktham_Tashtush · 8/10 · 21 July 2015]

The movie story is really sweet,, the idea is new and the plot is perfectly clear and the events grows smoothly .. the comedy is really nice, simple and easily understandable and followable , Jeremy Sisto is a good well known actor and as his second try as a script writer it really shows that he got some talent ,, as the screenplay got some "about a boy" style in it's start or maybe i'm still affected and stunned by it's cancellation but it is a nice story for a thirty something years old guy to be a mentor like for a kid from school .. then the real story about the brothers reveals itself, to finally a reasonably strong ending ,, the only thing is the movie felt really fast to me, but i think it is a plus point counts to the editing and directing because the story might'v gotten boring if they added more branches to the story, so i think after all things went smoothly in that matter.

As for the cast, Jeremy Sisto is really funny,, David Walton is awesome , loved him from about a boy , here maybe the script was a bit unfair for him like doesn't mean he wasn't funny especially the scenes with the kid but he could'v been a lot funnier. Also it was a Nice touch bringing actors like J.K. Simmons, Amy Smart and Adam DeVine but also they could'v gotten a couple of funny lines to make their characters pops a little . and sure the little kid ,. Joshua Rush he's got some skills ;)

Overall,, the movie already won Newport Beach Film Festival award for Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking ,, it is not an Oscar .. but it is a huge recognition for a movie still officially to be released on the 4th of September this year,, so bravo ... the comedy is fresh and you won't for a second regret watching it. hope you guys enjoy it ;)

A Funny, Terrific Movie

[HarleanHayworth · 10/10 · 6 March 2017]

I really loved this movie - its very funny and has a lot of heart. Break Point stars the very handsome Jeremy Sisto (who also wrote and produced the movie). He plays Jimmy, a foul mouthed, over the hill tennis player who wants to try for the US open. He has to convince his estranged brother Darren (David Walton) to play with him but it's not easy because years ago Jimmy dumped him as his partner. Throughout the movie the two brothers fight but somehow manage to become close on and off the court. The movie has a great supporting cast with J.K. Simmons as Jimmy and Darren's father, Amy Smart as the woman Darren is in love with, and Joshua Rush as a lonely child who befriends Darren. Break Point has a lot of really funny scenes - I laughed out loud more than once. Jeremy Sisto gives one of the best performances of his career. This is a terrific, heartwarming movie about family. I highly recommend it.

Highly recommended

[carlobustamante · 10/10 · 27 July 2015]

Best movie about tennis & family! There's comedy. There's drama. And yes, there's tennis. Although I couldn't watch it yet with my kids due to some scenes w profanity (my 10yr old daughter who plays varsity), Im definitely going to watch it again with my wife. The characters were hilarious and likable. Its about tennis. Its about life. Its about redemption. And yet, the ending isn't something you would expect. Even non-tennis viewers would surely like. I've seen Wimbledon the movie. I've seen Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach. All of them were "okay". But none of them compares to this. Beautifully written, touching and heartwarming. Made me fall in love even more with the game. And also appreciate family, after all "Every family has its faults".

Hilarious! A great little movie about brothers.

[Ramascreen · 10/10 · 1 September 2015]

This is fantastic little movie about family and brotherhood and even if you don't know much about tennis, you'll find a thing or two that you can appreciate about BREAK POINT. Funny and heartwarming, a pleasant surprise. Great ensemble cast: Jeremy, David, Amy, Vincent, J.K. and Joshua are a delight to watch.

One of the things appealing about BREAK POINT is that there is strength in its simplicity. Whereas other movies would spend a lot of time and try too hard to be all profound when it doesn't need to be, BREAK POINT accomplishes depth and profundity in just 90 minutes and it doesn't shove them down our throats. Yes, it's a comedy, but one that's so engaging with themes that are so common, this is a comedy that leaves you feeling hopeful in the end whatever the result of the tennis match may be. There's a bit of 'Rocky' in there, there's a bit of sibling friction and a bit of mentorship as well, you can't help but like BREAK POINT, it's simply irresistible and effective.

Jeremy Sisto plays the reckless man-child Jimmy who's at his age when other tennis players just don't see him as having any future in the sport, his last partner drops him just as he's planning to enter a grand slam tournament, and so in desperation, he reaches out to his childhood partner, his estranged brother Darren whom he dropped years ago. Darren, a more reserved and conservative tennis player still feels the hurt after all these years but after being convinced by an 11-year old named Barry who looks up to him, Darren decided to take his brother up on his offer and so goes their journey to train together and re-learn and re-discover their game once again while finding out what it means to be brothers.

This Jimmy and Darren dynamic reminds me of the Odd Couple, as if Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar were on the Tennis court. The jokes are rated R but they're on target and edgy, Jeremy Sisto in particular gets to say the best lines in this film, and young actor Joshua Rush excellently holds his own in the midst of these two adult brothers trying to prove themselves once more. And in a way, it's also a dudes type of movie and I don't mean that in a sexist or one-sided manner, what I mean is that the way the brothers resolve their conflict is like any regular dudes would, meaning whatever resentment we may have, we can easily shrug it off, sometimes, not in all cases, but we don't talk about it for hours, we'd pull a 'forget about it' card and that's why I think BREAK POINT speaks more truth than most of the movies about brothers I've seen out there.

Break Point: my kind of film!

[niutta-enrico · 10/10 · 28 July 2015]

A great film. Just as the two brothers playing tennis way out of their league, maybe also Gene Hong (the writer) and Jay Karas (the director), who have done much more TV than movies, could have shared the same feeling. And the same could be said for David Walton (Darren), Vincent Ventresca (the great Gary) or Joshua Rush (the even greater Barry).

But, believe me, this is a great film with a great cast and the above mentioned actors star greatly along with Jeremy Sisto, JK Simmons and Amy Smart.

The story is funny and enjoyable, the characters are so nice you'll easily find yourself hoping for a sequel. Everything is perfect, cheering and entertaining. My kind of comedy.