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My Big Break

  • 2009
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
137
YOUR RATING
My Big Break (2009)
In this unflinching documentary, director Tony Zierra captures the surprising changes in the lives of his aspiring actor roommates over ten years. Incredibly, three of them get their Big Break when he's filming, while the fourth is nearly destroyed by watching the others become stars. "My Big Break" is a rare look at how people can be changed forever, but not necessarily for better, when their dreams come true.
Play trailer0:51
1 Video
2 Photos
Documentary

Documentary that captures celebrity in the making and the unsettling effects of fame on five friends who share a house in Hollywood.Documentary that captures celebrity in the making and the unsettling effects of fame on five friends who share a house in Hollywood.Documentary that captures celebrity in the making and the unsettling effects of fame on five friends who share a house in Hollywood.

  • Director
    • Tony Zierra
  • Stars
    • Wes Bentley
    • Chad Lindberg
    • Brad Rowe
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    137
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Tony Zierra
    • Stars
      • Wes Bentley
      • Chad Lindberg
      • Brad Rowe
    • 11User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    My Big Break
    Trailer 0:51
    My Big Break

    Photos1

    View Poster

    Top cast15

    Edit
    Wes Bentley
    Wes Bentley
    • Self
    Chad Lindberg
    Chad Lindberg
    • Self
    Brad Rowe
    Brad Rowe
    • Self
    Gregory Fawcett
    Gregory Fawcett
    • Self
    Tony Zierra
    • Self
    Ivana Chubbuck
    • Self
    Lee Daniels
    Lee Daniels
    • Self
    Alex Ebert
    Alex Ebert
    • Self
    Sandra Fawcett
    • Self
    Amy Galaudet
    • Self
    Jennifer Quanz
    • Self
    Mark Schaller
    • Self
    Mark Skelly
    • Self
    Kevin Spacey
    Kevin Spacey
    • Self
    Andrew Tsao
    Andrew Tsao
    • Self
    • Director
      • Tony Zierra
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews11

    7.7137
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    Featured reviews

    10knowitnot

    My Big Break should be a curse if

    Now I get why the slogan for this documentary is "Are You Ready?". I can tell you that I wasn't. I assumed that it would be a fun maybe juicy trip through what it's like to get exactly what so many of us would like to have: fame and fortune. think about how many people, myself included, have wished we could trade our ordinary "normal" lives for the glamour of Hollywood. Not that I ever thought I would really go for it but we can dream, can't we? This documentary was a real wake-up call for me. Funny but watching it made my holiday better because it made me appreciate my life and my family more than I usually do. I felt like this hype about how great celebrities lives are is just that...hype. There's nothing real about it. Obviously getting famous messes with people big time. I was always confused about that. For instance, why do so many big stars from Marilyn Monroe to Owen Wilson seem so self- destructive when they have everything? This documentary helped answer that question for me. Honestly though, it also made me feel guilty for pushing my daughter, who is 19 toward being an actress. She's really talented and I guess I felt a little bit like she might have a chance to live out the dream I always had but didn't go after. We watched this movie together and afterwards she told me that she'd rather go into nursing and I'm glad. On a kind of funny note: the guys in the movie are all really good looking in different ways so there's that to add to your viewing pleasure.
    10rcastle16

    This Film is the real Hollywood story, Keep up the great Work!

    Tony Zierra magnificently puts to screen the real story of four roommates trying to make a name for themselves in Hollywood. While one maybe "destined" for greatness, others struggle through their potential - that may never surface… This is a genuine movie, featuring a world within Hollywood we all wish to have an inside look at.

    The film takes the viewer through so many emotional levels, you can't help but feel the pain that success brings to someone who is not quite ready for it.

    Brilliantly directed and masterfully set up. This is one of the best true Hollywood films, and it will remain that way.
    9bardicvoice

    Unvarnished Reality: Hollywood Straight Up

    This unflinchingly honest documentary about four young up-and-coming actors sharing a house with the young filmmaker captures the exuberant whirl of unexpected success, the soul-destroying weight of persistent defeat, the constant pressure of being only as good as your next role, and the difficulty of portraying the unvarnished truth about any career in Hollywood. It runs the gamut from funny to excruciatingly painful, and the truth on display is sometimes hard to watch precisely because it is so searing. This should be required viewing for anyone setting their sights on an acting career, and for anyone who wants to know the reality behind the tabloids, talk shows, and entertainment magazine reports on Hollywood successes and failures.

    Viewers should be aware that the film includes nudity and some profanity - this is not a film for children - but none of it is there just for effect. It's there because it's part of the story; part of the truth.

    If you watch this film, you'll come away both sadder and wiser. It's well worth both the time and the emotional cost.
    10jmjenab-1

    You must see this movie!

    Tony Zierra has pulled back the curtain and challenges anything you might think you know about Hollywood. This raw roller-coaster of a ride follows the fates of 4 actors from when they first set foot in Hollywood. The meteoric rise of three, the gut-wrenching pain of the fourth as he watches his friends succeed. It is a must-see for anyone who has ever thought about entering the world of television or movies. It will leave you conflicted, but glad that you had this unique view into the lives of these men. Kudos to Mr. Zierra for continuing to fight the fight and for finally getting this movie released, and grateful thanks to the rest of the group for allowing us this exquisitely personal look into their lives.
    10SillyGayBoy

    Moving and real

    A documentary about 4 people wanting to make it in Hollywood. This is a goal for a lot of people, and not everyone can make it happen. These 4 in an apartment end up with more success then what anyone would expect, but Hollywood can chew people up and spit them out.

    Along with success comes not having more success to follow it, as well as other dilemmas. People assume a big break would be so amazing but when success hits too hard to fast it can be overwhelming. Lives can change too drastically and not always for the better.

    A very well done documentary with such candid interviews told so well. Wes is by far my favorite but there was a lot of insight all around. I would recommend to anyone but particularly those interested in acting or interested in the psychology behind it, and rising to fame.

    As I write this it seems the only way to watch is buying on their website in a digital download format.

    http://www.mybigbreakmovie.com

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    Documentary

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      Features Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss (1998)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • September 19, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Minu suur läbimurre
    • Filming locations
      • Canada
    • Production companies
      • MBB Group
      • Mantic Eye
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 41m(101 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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