Breakfast of Champions (1999)

Undescribable Perfection

Powerful

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Fresh and Exciting

This movie had an excellent cast and was based on a wonderful book by Kurt Vonnegut. So what went wrong?Most of the performances were a bit over the top but that wasn't the movie's main failing. There was a character, Dwayne's wife, who shouldn't have been in the movie at all except in possible flashbacks before she committed suicide. This still wasn't the movie's biggest fault. The biggest problem was the ending. Anyone who's ever read Vonnegut knows that happy endings aren't forthcoming. Dwayne shouldn't have reconciled with his son and wife (who, as mentioned earlier, was dead). It's too tidy and Vonnegut was anything but tidy.But probably the saddest part to me is that they actually had Vonnegut in the film without including the wonderful scene from the novel in which he interacts with the character Kilgore Trout. That alone could have saved this movie from all its other shortcomings.

The IMDb rating for this movie is really, really mystifying. Yes, it is a strange movie but then again, Bruce Willis is someone not afraid to reach, sometimes even beyond his own level as an actor. He certainly reaches here and gives a creditable performance in a very demanding role.That Bruce likes to stretch himself is a good thing and means we have seen him at his best many times throughout his career. He is a self- made actor in many ways, perhaps similarly to George Clooney, he simply refused to not be successful. Contrast with Nicholas Cage - probably a better actor but plays it safe far too often with the result his filmography is the lesser.But back to BoC. Willis is joined by a strong cast, in particular the wonderfully nutty Glenne Headly. Nick Nolte, not my favourite actor, is surprisingly strong as a stressed out salesman. Albert Finney is a strange actor - lots of talent but there doesn't seem to have been any movie that suits him other than Erin Brockovitch.Yes, the movie is less detailed than the original Vonnegut book and this can make it bit spotty when it comes to understanding just exactly what is going on. But in a world of cookie-cutter films, BoC - for better & for worse - is decidedly not just another one.

If you go for the more wacky Coen Brothers movies, if you enjoyed Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, if Ed Wood is a hero of yours and John Waters films feel like home movies then you're sure to enjoy this SCTV like nutcase of a movie. Bruce Willis turns in his most outrageous film presentation as our hero car salesman Dwayne Hoover having the crackup of a lifetime and through it all his Exit 11 Care Sale tv commercials keep broadcasting over and over and over and over. Hallucinations ,crossdressing, pill popping it's all part of life in Midland City. Costarring, Nick Nolte, Owen Wilson, Glenne Headly, Barbara Hershey & Albert Finney.

It is really great movie, I think that it is greatly underrated because most of people came to see it expecting fights, action and bloodshed, but it is not the kind of movie. A bit unusual to see Bruce Willis in such a role, but he's a good actor and done very well here.The meaning of the movie is more spiritual and psychological than just a mere tangle of various script twists. Lots of things here are symbolical. For example I love the scene where main character misunderstands the words of the wise man, and turns violent. Oh, and have in mind - the second half of the movie is totally different than the first one, so be patient.Maybe the book is better - haven't read it, can't say, but judging according to other MOVIES, not books, this one is on my top 5. if you liked this one, I recommennd you also watch Rozencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead; Pi.10/10