Breezy (1973)

1970's Revisited

This movie is somewhat of a time capsule of the hippie generation in Southern California in the early 1970's, coupled with a May-December relationship between the youthful Breezy and the middle-aged Frank Harmon.
It's a nicely done story, although the spiritual purity of Breezy is a bit of a stretch considering her homeless and vagrant past. Still, this is a movie worth seeing because it represents a fond era that no longer exists. June 6, 2008

A Special Film

First to note -- There is no profanity, car chases, prison breaks, or mob violence in this film, so be warned. I say this since a few past reviewers came down hard on this movie because it's a dated love story. A recent reviewer, for instance, trashed the film, while rating "Borat" and "JackAss - The Movie" with 5 stars each. I question, among other things, why would that person watch a movie like this to begin with?

Yes, it's a dated love story with dated dialogue -- it was made in 1973. Yes, also, the difference in ages between Kay Lenz's and William Holden's characters would be troublesome for many, but love between their age gap and differing lifestyles is still possible. For those who simply call it a "Sugar Daddy" relationship that could never happen, I have an attractive high school friend who married a man 23 years her senior. They've now been happily married for over 20 years. It can, and does, happen.

With that said, thank you to all of you who recommended this film. I've been a fan of Kay Lenz for a very long time, but I somehow missed this one. This is, by far, my favorite film of hers. She lights up the screen from the moment she appears, and gives a truly beautiful performance. You can't help but want to know her and be loved by her. William Holden also gives an outstanding performance as a troubled man suffering from a failed marriage and puzzled by the love that a young hippie (Lenz) tries to give him.

The only flaw in the film for me was my disappointment that their time together on screen wasn't greater since their characters needed to be developed and the story needed to unfold. I was both pleased and pained by the ending since I couldn't see what happened next. For those of you who were captivated by "Somewhere in Time" or "The Notebook", as I was, "Breezy" will hold a special place in your heart. A very special gift for someone who appreciates a fine love story. June 3, 2008

"Wheezy and weak"

This is a film thats title stuck in the back of my mind- it's a Clint Eastwood/Malpaso Productions venture and though I knew it wasn't "Play Misty for Me", I still confused the two films and watched this dud anyway..
Fresh faced hippie girl "Breezy" (Kay Lenz) is a bubbly personality and wandering free spirit whose actions today would smell panhandling and pubic lice. William Holden's "Frank", is a "middle-aged" (more like almost 60!)is complete stick-in-the-mud divorced realtor who sells beautiful SoCal homes for well under 100K. Frank is void of personality and the most droll real estate agent I've ever witnessed, he talks nothing about the property, only the prices and appears to all around him an unsmiling drip of a man.

SURPRISE! Breezy meets Frank through a chance encounter and suddenly the Breeze breaks down Frankies defenses and gets him to "take off his tie" and eat cotton candy and eventually bed this young Breezy girl who must have some daddy/sex issues to work out. But can they make this relationship work out with their age differences and lifestyle conflicts? The gimpy middle aged women who would pay to see this dreck before cable and Lifetime Channel came out will be satisfied that they do in fact, work it out. The film ends with the time worn reunion couples-walk off camera while sharing amusing chatter to the recurring background music that plagues "Breezy".

Kay Lenz was maybe all of 20 when this was made and she has a likable smile and demeanor. WIlliam Holden was old enough to know better and is painful to watch. If you are a fan of 70's cinema, there are a few interesting throwbacks that make "Breezy" just a little better than watching the Jewelry Channel. Personally I had more fun clowning this movie- waiting for Breezy's friends "Charley and Squeaky" to appear, hoping for a "subplot involving hard dope or STD's". You'll have to write your own jokes because the screenwriter didn't write ANY. At the end of the day, this is a very bad film. May 20, 2008

Breezy... far out

The first time I saw this show on cable, I knew I wanted to buy it. I enjoy older films. They are snapshots of the times. This one is a perfect example of that. Great movie.
February 26, 2008

IN A "HOLDEN" PATTERN

1973 was not exactly a favorable time for a declining actor in his mid fifties, but William Holden held on with top rate performances as "Bumper" Morgan in "The Blue Knight", in "Network", and in "Breezy". In this latter production Holden has multiple prolems. His marriage has ended in divorce. He satiates his needs with "one nighters". He's a "Babbitt" in a time and area of non conformity. He's a hopeless cynic, unable to understand why the world doesn't act the way he wants it. Enter Breezy,a Pennsylvania runaway, the type Holden knows well in his job as a real estate agent. Enter more problems. Breezy genuinely likes/loves him despite a 30+year age difference. The duet has absolutely nothing in common except in the bedroom. Right up to story's end, Holden can't fathom why a 20 year old girl could love him, especially when he doesn't even like himself. "Breezy" is exactly what the title implies. It's a nice way to spend a couple of 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The seventies were not particularly a good time for ageing actors, but William Holden held up fairly well in "The Blue Knight","Network", and "Breezy". In this latter effort, Holden has multiple problems: a divorce that he has pushed in a battle of wills, a midlife crisis which he satiates with "one nighters","babbitry" in an area and time of non conformity, and a deep rooted cynicism seemingly based on a world not conforming to anything, much less his evpectations. Elton John? What a stupid name for a "crapper"! Enter Breezy, a type which he knows well as a real estate agent. Enter another problem. A relationship with a drifter from Pennsylvania, certainly old enough to be his daughter. The couple obviously has nothing in common save for the bedroom, which can also be mystifying to any man who has little self esteem and, almost to the end,simply cannot fathom why anyone would like him, much less love him. "Breezy" is not an Academy Award picture, neither is it time frivolously wasted.







December 1, 2007

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