Breaking Away is a 1979 American coming of age comedy-drama film produced and directed by Peter Yates and written by Steve Tesich.

Breaking Away won the 1979 Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Tesich, and received nominations in four other categories, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress (Barbara Barrie).

[8][9] His down-to-earth father, Ray, a former stonecutter who now operates (sometimes unethically) his own used car business, is puzzled and exasperated by his son's love of Italian music and culture, which Dave associates with cycling.

One evening, he serenades "Caterina" outside her sorority house by singing Friedrich von Flotow's aria M Apparì Tutt' Amor, with Cyril providing guitar accompaniment.

Cyril wants no trouble, but Mike, a former high school football quarterback, insists on tracking down Rod and starting a brawl.

Ray privately tells his son how, when he was a young stonecutter, he was proud to help provide the material to construct the university though he never felt welcome on campus.

The bicycling team is based on the 1962 Phi Kappa Psi Little 500 champions, which featured legendary rider and Italian enthusiast Dave Blase, who provided screenwriter and fellow Phi Kappa Psi team member Steve Tesich the inspiration for the main character in the movie.

[11] In the 1962 race, Blase rode 139 out of 200 laps[10] and crossed the finish line as the victor, much like the main character in the film.

[12] The working title of the movie script was Bambino, written in 1978, which originally had Dave's family name as "Blase," which was later changed to "Stohler" for the film.

"[16] The New York Times's Janet Maslin wrote that, even though "the cast is unknown, the director has a spotty history, and the basic premise falls into this year's most hackneyed category ... the finished product is wonderful.

"[14] A Variety magazine review concluded that "though its plot wins no points for originality, Breaking Away is a thoroughly delightful light comedy, lifted by fine performances from Dennis Christopher and Paul Dooley.

The website's critical consensus reads: "At once a touching, funny coming-of-age story and a compelling sports film, Breaking Away is a delightful treat.

[22] A short-lived television series based on the film, also titled Breaking Away, aired in 1980–1981 and starred Shaun Cassidy.