Better Late Then Never

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The first must-see film of the year.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Pardon my pun above, but if there's any reason at all to try and catch Breaking In, Burt Reynolds is the main reason. He underplays Ernie, a veteran safe cracker who goes about his business being low key and certainly not flashy at all. He winds up teaming up with a youngster named Mike, played by Casey Siemaszko, who rejuvenates Ernie and he hires him as an apprentice for odd jobs cracking safes. The first half of the forgotten film is the better half because of Reynolds' performance as the aging thief, and is both sympathetic and funny, especially the scenes he's teaching Mike the ropes. It's unfortunate Burt passed up on many good movie roles because the man can act. Anyhow, the latter half of Breaking In revolves around how flashy Mike has become with his cash rewards and his hooker/on and off girlfriend, which I thought slowed the film down a bit. I found Carrie annoying and uninteresting and rather selfish; not sure what Mike saw in her.Watch this film mainly for Reynolds' performance, as he plays his role convincingly and develops decent chemistry with Mike. Siemaszko also plays his role well, but not quite up to par with his partner in crime.

The movie is a definite watchable and I agree with folks who say this was one of Burt Reynold's better movies. It may also be my one and only claim to fame in the movie world. I was working for General Electric when it was made (if this is the right movie) and provided technical assistance over the phone for a piece of equipment being used on the amusement park set. I saw the movie on TV a year later by chance and saw my name on the credits as it went up the screen (October 11th, 1990). Due to circumstances in my life at that time, I forgot the incident until 3 weeks later and could not remember the movie title. I've been looking for the movie for 20 years now that has my name in the credits, and I think this is it, but I rented it and there is no "technical assistance" category on the rental version. If anyone has knowledge of that category being in the original credits with three names in it, please, please contact me.

What makes this buddy crime comedy work rests essentially on it's sympathetic characters. Delivered here in traditional veteran/rookie fashion,the story paces along steadily as young and endearingly misguided Mike (Siemaszko) is given life lessons in the art of safe cracking by world-weary professional Earl (Reynolds). The chemistry between the two leads allows for cleverly-conceived comedic scenes to shine forth beautifully. From the moment of their initial accidental meet-up, you are instantly hooked. The film's best quality though is it's ironic approach to burglary, for Earl talks of "The Job" as though it were a viable career option! This is Sayles' savvy screenplay technique undoubtedly shining through. Guided by Forsyth's refined direction, this comedy never veers into slapstick, distinguishing it from the later inferior 'Safe Men'. It never strives to be what it isn't, and so it rarely disappoints. A similarly-styled, yet darker film worthy of viewing is Saul Rubinek's 'Jerry and Tom'.Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

In "Breaking In" Reynold's plays a platitude spouting, aging small time independent safecracker who happens upon a young upstart while on a job, takes him under his wing, and teaches him his trade. A lukewarm comedy which does little more than show us the day to day vicissitudes of the safemen, this flick has little to offer save some mildly humorous moments before an unsatisfying conclusion. Okay for sofa spuds and Reynolds' fans. (C+)