Breaking the Rules is a 1992 American drama film directed by Neal Israel, which was released on October 9, 1992 by Miramax Films.
The film was made in 1989, but it wasn't released until 1992 due to the original studio filing for bankruptcy.
Plot[]
The film follows Phil Stepler, a man diagnosed with cancer who goes on a road trip to Los Angeles, California with his two best friends, Gene and Rob.
Cast[]
- Jason Bateman as Phil Stepler
- Shawn Phelan as Young Phil Stepler
- C. Thomas Howell as Gene Michaels
- Jackey Vinson as Young Gene Michaels
- Jonathan Silverman as Rob Konigsberg
- Marty Belafsky as Young Rob Konigsberg
- Annie Potts as Mary Klinglitch
- Kent Bateman as Mr. Stepler
- Krista Tesreau as Rob's Date
Box Office[]
"Breaking the Rules" grossed $23,175 during its opening weekend. Overall, the film grossed $52,285 worldwide.
Critical Reception[]
Roger Ebert from the Chicago Sun-Times said: "Breaking the Rules is a movie about a guy who finds out he has a month to live, and decides to spend it in the worst buddy movie ever made."
Hal Hinson from the Washington Post wrote: "For a film about death, "Breaking the Rules" is surprisingly lacking in gravity."
TV Guide Magazine called it "a forgettable, clumsy movie."
Writing for Variety magazine, Lawrence Cohn said: ""Breaking the Rules" is a stillborn road movie, way too maudlin to be touching or amusing."
Robert Sellers from Radio Times stated: "As hard as this tries to tug at the heartstrings, the combination of appalling dialogue, completely divorced from the way real people talk, and emotional barreness ends up trivialising the subject matter."