Break

Low grade British film about an impoverished kid from an impoverished neighborhood whose dying father makes a last ditch effort when he gets out of jail to get his son a chance at a Snooker tournament in Hong Kong that will turn his life around. The kid is a small time criminal, wasting his life on drugs and petty crime hanging with his friends...but amazingly has shown a gift for Snooker. I wish they showed more of the game of Snooker and explained the rules a little, but I guess they figure that is what the internet is for. The cast was appropriate and well acted, but there were a lot of trite stereotypes...like getting the girl and the bad guy getting taken out. I would probably give this movie a pass...although I don't have an alternative snooker movie to recommend...there are several pool movies The Hustler (Paul Newman), Stickmen (New Zealand), The Color of Money (Paul Newman). However, this is the Dutch actor, Rutger Hauer's last film...so if you would like to see him and don't just want to rewatch Bladerunner, Ladyhawke or The Heineken Kidnapping this is the film for you. ...And to Anne Rice fans: He really would have made a much better vampire than the actor who got the role.

Review: I recommended Break (2020) to my brother and my parents for professionalism of it's creators. Recently, it's rare that a film is compelling after the cinema died. This story is held together by cinematic camera movements and a few enticing shots, similar to the Social Network. Genre: It's got a blend of traditional British crime drama (think Harry Brown 2009) and an athlete's biopic. My buddy was obsessed about writing a bio-pic of an athlete and this film has got him beat.

It's all too easy to not expect much from low budget films but every now and again something like Break comes along and re-charges your faith in the British film industry. The film puts good old British indy filmmaking right back on the map with some outstanding performances and a beautiful story. Sam Gittins performance as Spencer Pryde is nothing short of incredible and I felt the pain of his journey every step of the way, so much so he deserves to pick up an array of awards for it! Also his relationship with his dad played by Luke Mably and how the story between them develops is nothing short of beautiful. Also Terri Dwyer's performance as Spencer's mom is extremely heartfelt! Noteworthy scene after the house has been raided and Spencer returns home.. There are so many great performances to note here with such names as Rutger Hauer and Jammie Foreman and David Yip.. Scott Peden performance as a bad ass drug dealer is particularly off nerving! Wouldn't want to meet him down a dark alley! Overall the pace is well kept and the production value feels much higher than what I anticipate the budget probably was. This is a film that you really need to see that will not disappoint... a hard hitting but ultimately uplifting story that is not to be missed.. I am so glad to see some British productions such as this are getting funded as they demonstrate there is serious talent to be seen not only from cast but from crew.

I don't understand why the rating on this film is so low. I found the film an excellent, heartwarming little story, particularly in showing that young people can realise their dreams. I've been a lifelong sports fan, especially cue sports, going back to the days of Pot Black and the first World Final I ever watched when Terry Griffiths beat Dennis Taylor. So sad to see that this was Rutger Hauers's last film but he played his character brilliantly. And Ken Doherty can act! Who knew? :) Definitely worth the watch.

The film is based on the premise that everyone in the world is the best at something and for most of us we don't know what it is or have not been able to develop it. Spencer Pryde (Sam Gittins ) is one such person. He is a London young adult on a road to nowhere hanging out with his buds and being involved to petty crimes. Spencer is good at snooker and is offered an opportunity to play in the world championship under the coaching of professional Vincent Qiang (David Yip). The film is not about winning and losing a game of snooker, but winning and losing in life based on choices we make as teens. No swagger. No music montage training piece. Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.

This is a Snooker movie you never knew you needed in your life but more than that this is a story about a young man set in his ways that tells us, it is never too late to make those needed changes without clubbing you over the head with tropey cliche nonsense. Break respects it viewer and commands your respect in return.