Film News: Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com to Host ‘Breaking Away’

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CHICAGO – “Breaking Away,” the classic Oscar-winning film of 1979, will be shown on the big screen at Studio Movie Grill in Wheaton, Ill. – on Wednesday, September 24th, 2014, at 7:30pm (click on the link below to purchase tickets). It will be hosted by Film Critic Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com. McDonald is also an alumnus of Indiana University, where “Breaking Away” was filmed, and the event is co-presented by the Chicago Film Critics Association, the Indiana University Alumni Association Chicago Chapter and the Studio Movie Grill.

’Breaking Away’ Will Be Presented at the Studio Movie Grill
Photo credit: Chicago Film Critics Association

“Breaking Away” is a hilarious and bittersweet comedy about four 19 year old guys from Bloomington, Indiana – where the Indiana University campus is located – who seem stuck at an age in which a college campus surrounds them, but can’t get rid of the feeling that they don’t belong there. Future movie stars Dennis Quaid and Jackie Earle Haley have pivotal early-career roles in the film as two of the “Cutters” (the nickname for town folk in the movie), with Dennis Christopher and Daniel Stern rounding out the quartet.

The film was nominated for five Oscars, including “Best Picture,” “Best Director” (Peter Yates), “Best Supporting Actress” (Barbara Barrie), and won the “Best Screenplay” Award for writer Steven Tesich. The film was based on the experiences of Tesich as an Indiana University student and participant in their annual bicycle race, “The Little 500.”

Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Indiana University Alumnus, will host the film and will lead a discussion after the 7:30pm showing. The Studio Movie Grill is located in Wheaton, Ill., at 301 Rice Lake Square.

By PATRICK McDONALD Senior Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com