The Summary and Response of "Breakdown"

“Breakdown” is a Hollywood’s thrilling, and action movie starring Kurt Russell, released in 1997. The film is about a married couple of Jeff (Kurt Russell) and his wife Amy, on the way to San Diego, California caught up in a taking hostage situation. The plot is not new to movie fans these days, but it was fresh taste back in the 90s. Their car suddenly breaks down. Amy takes a lift from a truck to get to the Belle’s Dinner to make a call, while Jeff stays trying to fix his car. Unfortunately, it turns out that the truck driver is a gang's boss and the mastermind behind the criminal group, targeting long-journey travelers on the road. They abduct Amy and extort money (90,000 USD) from Jeff. Not having enough money, Jeff is desperate to save his wife alone.

Unlike other typical Hollywood’s 90s action films in which the main characters are supposed to be strong, muscular, and cold, Kurt Russell’s role as Jeff in “breakdown” is completely different. He is just a normal guy trying to start a new life with his wife Amy in California. No fancy cars, no special skills, no guns, and hot chicks accompanying side by side, Kurt Russell’s character stumbles and struggles in desperation to get his wife back. From my perspective, the film’s direction is not bad. The director knows how to guide the storyline in his own ways, so as to create the thrilling, intense, and suspend atmosphere for the film. Moreover, the scenes in which Jeff goes to the bank to get the money, are the ones that I like the most. Thanks to the excellent acting of Kurt Russell combining with the cinematography, I can feel the tension is being escalated up on another level. Finally, the climax of the film once again is on the pinnacle with the saving Amy of Jeff and the car chase scenes at the end of the movie. If you are sick and tired of action-packed movies these days, trying to seek for some Hollywood classical action ones, “Breakdown” is worth to give it a shot.