Breezy (1973)

Absolutely Fantastic

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

What was America like for a young woman in 1973 ? If this is the question on your mind then Breezy is the perfect film which can provide all the right answers. For those who claim to be experts, it needs to be told that its impact on American cinema is absolutely immense as it continues to be an honest reflection of the spirit of those 1970s carefree moments. What makes 'Breezy' important is that it is not known by many viewers even in USA. This has somewhat given it a kind of 'cult' film status. American actress Kay Lenz is absolutely perfect in her role as Breezy, a young woman who is not sure if she has found the right man in her life. It is remarkable to see how her 'happy go lucky' persona gets rid of many prevalent taboos namely an old man enjoying the company of a young lady as girl friend. While making Breezy, director Clint Eastwood proved that he is no Alfred Hitchcock by not appearing in a cameo role in his own film. However, Mr. Eastwood could not resist the temptation of paying a 'homage' to his own 'larger than life' personality by showing one of his films being played in a cinema where this film's actors go to watch a movie.

After avoiding rape, teenage hitchhiker Kay Lenz (as Edith Alice "Breezy" Breezerman) bums a ride to Hollywood from wealthy middle-aged William Holden (a Frank Harmon). Her attempt to get coffee money doesn't appear to arouse Mr. Holden, so Ms. Lenz runs away. Later, she returns for her guitar and asks to take a shower. That, readers, is an invitation. Eventually, Holden wakes up and smells the coffee. They take romantic walks on the beach. However, their age difference is a problem. Lenz mentions she's from "Intercourse, Pennsylvania," recently graduated from high school and fears being taken to juvenile hall. A one point, Lenz is mistaken for Holden's daughter – she could also be his granddaughter. This kind of arrangement is not uncommon in Hollywood. In this film, the pairing seems to be substituting the exchange of sex and security for counterculture and the establishment..."Breezy" was directed by popular actor Clint Eastwood, who must have considered playing the leading man. He did, however, extend his youthful looks and may not have conveyed the same dramatic age difference as did Holden, in the role. While the two main characters are a bore, they perform well. More interesting supporting parts are played by Marj Dusay (as Betty Tobin) and Roger C. Carmel (as Bob Henderson). With only limited time on screen, druggie blonde Jamie Smith Jackson (as Marcy) makes you want to learn more about her story. Lenz make an especially memorable impression, and Mr. Eastwood lovingly presents the young actress. There are generous topless scenes. Eastwood appears distractingly on a "High Plains Drifter" poster (his latest film) and as an extra. Michel Legrand contributes mellow soundtrack music and Frank Stanley's photography looks good for Eastwood.***** Breezy (11/18/73) Clint Eastwood ~ William Holden, Kay Lenz, Roger C. Carmel, Marj Dusay

Breezy is one of Clint Eastwood's earlier directorial efforts and it is very different from the movies he would later become known for. It is the story of the free and independent spirit, Breezy, who is just looking for love anywhere she can find it. Basically, she's a hippie. But her life takes a dramatic change when she meets Frank Harmon, played by legendary William Holden, and he lets her stay the night. At first it seems that this will be a temporary thing while Breezy looks for a place to stay and an opportunity to make some money. Frank wants nothing to do with the overly optimistic kid and he more or less wants her gone as soon as possible. But after a while the two begin to fall in love and the rest of the movie develops their relationship as it grows into something beautiful, just going to show that love can be found anywhere, even the places where you least expect it.There's nothing that's really bad about this film, but there isn't much here to amaze me either. It's a very innocent and quiet story that stays very low key, and not a whole lot happens. There isn't a whole lot of conflict here, but the film doesn't try to be much more than what it has to offer. The film has a good script with plenty of beautiful moments that are written with a keen eye towards proper writing. Eastwood's direction is obviously very young and the movie seems to lack any kind of style, but I don't feel like that is what it was going for. Where it shines is in its two leads. William Holden and Kay Lenz are excellent in the film and they do a fantastic job together. They are the most realistic thing about the entire film and if not for their stellar performances this would have been an awful film.Predictability is Breezy's worst enemy. I liked this film's story for the most part, but what kept me from loving it was just how predictable every aspect of it was. From the get-go it was pretty obvious where all this was leading, and I could easily map out just what would happen and what kind of scenes would occur. For the most part I was correct in all my assumptions, and thus I was a little disappointed when everything developed in a very formulaic way. For what it's worth this is a pleasant film, but nothing in it really comes as a surprise.Breezy isn't a bad film, but it isn't great either. It is one of those films that is just sort of there. Nothing in it really stays with you, and I can see myself forgetting all about it in another week or two. If you enjoy movies that chronicle more unique relationships, then Breezy should most likely interest you. But this isn't really my kind of film, and I've seen better films like it. If the story had been thought out better this could have been a fantastic film because of just how great the two leads are. But since there just wasn't enough to really touch me in this film, I just have to see it off as just another film.

When William Holden took the part of Frank Harmon in Breezy it was a dress rehearsal for the same kind of role in Network where he was the older man who had fallen out of love with his wife and looking for something new and different. Of course his taste in women is a whole lot different. In Network Holden falls for the chic Network news executive Faye Dunaway and in Breezy he's entranced by the free spirited young hippie chick in the title role which Kay Lenz got her breakout role. These two women are about as different as they come.One thing that the story and director Clint Eastwood failed to do is give us all that much information about Breezy and how her character developed as it did. She's a type that was quite common in 1973 and it's assumed by the audience that the Vietnam War and the counterculture of free love makes her typical of young people. So when she drops into Holden's life by kind of forcing him to give her a lift in his car after a night of sex with Dennis Olivieri who picked her up.Holden's gone through a bitter and nasty divorce and we also are not quite sure about the whys and wherefores there. But Eastwood kind of takes care of it from his end when Holden and Lenz at a fancy restaurant encounter his ex-wife Joan Hotchkiss who's there with a date. Her one scene with Holden and Lenz is Breezy's most unforgettable point. This is one bitter and drunken women and while we don't really know what went wrong, it's clear why Holden wanted out of the marriage and why he's soured on the female of the species. There was a 33 year age difference between Holden and Lenz and most wouldn't give odds for this lasting, but you never know.Both Holden and Lenz give a good account of themselves making up for some plot deficiencies in Breezy.