Breezy
Breezy
R | 18 November 1973 (USA)
Breezy Trailers

A free-spirited young woman, Breezy, hitches a ride with an aging real estate salesman, Frank. Sensing that she just wants to use him he tries to have nothing to do with her. She's not that easy to shake, however, and over time a bond forms between them.

Reviews
Plantiana Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.
Interesteg What makes it different from others?
GurlyIamBeach Instant Favorite.
CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
SnoopyStyle Edith 'Breezy' Breezerman (Kay Lenz) is a free-loving hippie. She's an orphan from Intercourse, Pennsylvania. After finishing high school, she wanted to see the world and ended up in L.A. She sleeps with random strangers for a warm bed. She's hitchhiking and escapes from a creep. Divorced real-estate agent Frank Harmon (William Holden) reluctantly helps her. She sees a Black Cloud hanging over him. She insinuates herself into his life and they begin a relationship.Romance is not really a Clint Eastwood forte. This is one of his earlier directing efforts. Kay Lenz is the classic Manic Pixie Dream Girl and the May to December romance is awkward at first. It all relies on Kay Lenz and she delivers a confident performance. She makes this simple story work. William Holden is able to be a not-dirty old man. The relationship is actually compelling although Eastwood should lose the montage of the romantic strode on the beach.
FilmCriticLalitRao 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.
jarrodmcdonald-1 I think the reason this film stands out to me is because I was drawn into the story despite my wanting to like it. I vehemently dislike it where men are considerably older than their latest conquests (in this case, a 35 year age difference) and I was not in the mood to see it play out in BREEZY. But it was Bill Holden's thoughtful characterization of this older man that captivated me. He plays it coolly and somewhat detached, but we can see glimmers of sentiment and a need to connect with another human being coming through at key moments. I consider this Holden's most conscious acting in all his films. Every nuance and mannerism is perfectly placed.I read that Holden did the film for the money, but you do not get the sense that this is just a job for him. He is a masterful performer and he is putting his all into the role, and I appreciated that. I appreciated how I could be so convinced to like a story I normally would not like. Holden worked his magic on me with this one.
MartinHafer "Breezy" is notable because it's the first film Clint Eastwood directed in which he didn't star (though he makes a TINY cameo at the lighthouse scene). His first film he directed, "Play Misty for Me", was made two years earlier and it was an amazingly good first effort.The film is named after a very free-spirited young lady nicknamed 'Breezy'. She sort of drifts through life--hitchhiking, bumming meals off kind strangers and just living. In general, she's a very happy person who tends to see the good in people and life. While all this isn't particularly unusual for the youth of 1973, what is unusual is her relationship with a 55 year-old guy (William Holden). She insinuates herself into this bachelor's life and, try as he might, he can't seem to get rid of her. Over time, they become closer and a sort of love develops between them. However, given that he is significantly older than her, it sure seems like this relationship is doomed--especially as those around the couple seem very uncomfortable about this...and, for that matter, so is Holden's character.When "Breezy" debuted, it made barely a whimper in theaters and was considered a financial bomb. This really doesn't surprise me, as films with the May-December romance angle are rare and they traditionally do poorly (such as Ronald Reagan's notorious film "That Hagan Girl"--although the age difference here was only 17 years--compared to double that in "Breezy"). What bothered me wasn't the age difference. Although Kay Lenz was 20 when she made the film, there was a reference to Breezy being taken by the police to Juvenile Hall--meaning she was a minor sleeping with an old guy! This DID creep me out a bit and wished the film had made it clear she was of legal age.So is the film worth seeing--even if it is a bit creepy? Well, I'd say yes for two big reasons. First, the acting is quite nice--very relaxed and natural. Lenz, in particular, is a standout--and her crying scene late in the film was shockingly good. Second, Eastwood managed to make quite a bit of relatively slim material--and the actors' performances had a lot to do with his deliberate pacing. As a result, it is an enjoyable character study that you can't help but enjoy.By the way, in keeping with her character's carefree views of life, Breezy is pretty matter-of-fact about nudity and is unclothed on quite a few occasions. So, it's probably not a film to show your mother or priest.
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