Breakin' All the Rules (2004)
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31% of critics liked it
(86 reviews) -
63% of users liked it
(10,923 ratings)
A man who writes the book on ending a romance runs into rough sledding while starting a new one in this comedy. Quincy (Jamie Foxx) is a magazine editor whose life takes an unexpected turn for the worse when his fiancée, Helen (Bianca Lawson), decides to give him some interesting news at their… More A man who writes the book on ending a romance runs into rough sledding while starting a new one in this comedy. Quincy (Jamie Foxx) is a magazine editor whose life takes an unexpected turn for the worse when his fiancée, Helen (Bianca Lawson), decides to give him some interesting news at their engagement party -- she's breaking up with him. A few days later, Quincy's boss, Phillip (Peter MacNicol), gives him the task of cutting manpower in his department by 15 percent; too emotionally beaten to fire anyone, Quincy responds by quitting his job. Deeply depressed, Quincy begins writing a letter to Helen to explain his feelings, but as he analyses his emotions, his notes take a different turn, and Quincy decides to write a book about how to painlessly break up with someone. The book becomes a smash best-seller, and Quincy's friends begin turning to him for advice on the subject of getting out of relations. Quincy's cousin Evan (Morris Chestnut) is eager to call things off with his girlfriend, Nicky (Gabrielle Union), and asks him to do the dirty work for him; however, Evan begins to have second thoughts when he discovers Quincy has fallen for her. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Daniel Taplitz
- Written By
- Daniel Taplitz
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- May 14, 2004 Wide
- On DVD
- Oct 12, 2004
- Studio
- Screen Gems
Critic Reviews
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
... this is basically just a sitcom.
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Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
No movie this stupid should need a plot synopsis this complicated.
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Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
A movie that sags and drags under the weight of poor pacing, execrable writing and largely unlikable characters, including a leading man viewers can never really warm up to.
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Joe Leydon, Variety
A cleverly concocted hybrid of conventional romantic comedy and mistaken-identity farce.
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Mike Clark, USA Today
If the movie were 10 minutes longer, the mix-ups might grind viewers down, but director Daniel Taplitz knows how to juggle the subplots he's given.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Cast
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Jamie Foxx
as Watson Quincy
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Gabrielle Union
as Callas Nicky
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Morris Chestnut
as Evan Fields
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Peter MacNicol
as Philip Gascon
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Jennifer Esposito
as Rita Monroe
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Bianca Lawson
as Helen Sharp
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Jill Ritchie
as Amy
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Heather Headley
as Heather Headley
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Gerald Emerick
as Talk Show Host
- Danny Comden
- Samantha Nagel
