Breaking In (1989)

88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
30% of users liked it
(1,237 ratings)

In this comedy (which claims a strong pedigree -- it was written by John Sayles and directed by Bill Forsyth), Burt Reynolds plays Ernie, an aging career burglar who knows just about everything there is to know about breaking and entering. One night, Ernie has stealthily slipped into a home only to… More In this comedy (which claims a strong pedigree -- it was written by John Sayles and directed by Bill Forsyth), Burt Reynolds plays Ernie, an aging career burglar who knows just about everything there is to know about breaking and entering. One night, Ernie has stealthily slipped into a home only to discover someone else is already there -- Mike (Casey Siemaszko), a guy in his early 20's who likes to sneak into other people's houses so he can raid their refrigerators and watch their televisions. Ernie is taken aback by Mike's recklessness, but is impressed by his skills; he's convinced the kids has the makings of a first-class thief, and offers to make him his protege. Mike agrees, and soon the two are working together, with Ernie trying to explain the importance of playing it as safe as possible while Casey follows every youthful impulse to make some fast money and throw it away just as quickly. Breaking In marked a change-of-pace role for Burt Reynolds, in which he acknowledged his age and played a character role instead of an action hero; the results garnered him some of the best notices of his career. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Bill Forsyth
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 13, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Apr 16, 2002
Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Company

Critic Reviews

Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
Not much happens, but it is entertaining
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
A low-key and intriguing teaming of John Sayles and Billy Forsyth that features a terrific performance by Reynolds.
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
Breaking In is a charming, warm and completely entertaining movie - the kind you'll enjoy best after sitting through something particularly mindless and loud.

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Cast

            Burt Reynolds as Ernie Mullins

            Casey Siemaszko as Mike Lefebb

            Sheila Kelley as Carrie

            Lorraine Toussaint as Delphine

            Albert Salmi as Johnny Scat

            Harry Carey Jr. as Shoes

            Charles Bernard as Judge

            Maury Chaykin as Tucci

            Frank A. Damiani as Waiter

            Gene Dynarski as Brock

            Russ Fast as 2nd Detective

            Alan Fudge as 3rd Detective

            Richard Key Jones as Lou

            Tom Laswell as Bud

            Melanie Moseley as Young Woman Apostle

            Galen B. Schrick as Choir Master

            Duggan L. Wendeborn as Faith House Member

            David Frishberg as Nightclub Singer

            Stephen Tobolowsky as District Attorney

            John Baldwin as Sam the Apostle

            Ted Bryant as Newscaster

            George Catalano as 2nd Security Guard

            Charles E. Compton as Real Estate Agent

            Aaron Cooley as Teenage Boy on Skates

            Eddie Driscoll as Paul the Apostle

            Jack Esformes as Mike's Prison Buddy

            Eddie Gove as Scavenger

            Julianne R. Johnson as Cashier

            John R. Knotts as 1st Detective

            Rod Long as Garbage Truck Driver

            Douglas Mace as 1st Prison Guard

            Roy McGillivray as Old Man

            Clifford Nelson as Old Man

            Daryl Olson as 1st Security Guard

            Garcia Phelps as Gerry Hacker

            K. Gordan Scott as Counterman

            Kim Singer as Anchorwoman

            Stephan Adam Szymel as 2nd Prison Guard

            Earle Taylor as Mr. Withrow

            Joseph Burke as Ted
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