Breaking Away

Class conflict and small town chauvinism are the subject of Yates' ingenious youth movie, a film which intrigues as much by its portait of working-class America bitterly opposed to the affluent society as by its large measure of lovingly-crafted fantasy. Hero Dave (Christopher) and his mates try to win the annual 'Little Indy' team cycle race in their home town (Bloomington, Indiana), as a gesture of defiance to the richly privileged college boys. Scripted by Steve Tesich, it's Yates' best film since The Friends of Eddie Coyle and displays the kind of unsentimental optimism that went out of fashion with Hawks.