Breakfast of Champions is a 1999 American satirical comedy-drama film directed by Alan Rudolph and starring Bruce Willis, Nick Nolte, and Albert Finney. It is based on the novel of the same name by Kurt Vonnegut.
The film tells the story of Dwayne Hoover (Nolte), a wealthy car salesman who is on the verge of a mental breakdown. He becomes obsessed with the writings of Kilgore Trout (Finney), a science fiction writer who believes that there is only one creature with free will in the universe (the reader of the novel) and everyone else is a robot.
Hoover interprets Trout's message as addressed to him from the Creator of the Universe and goes on a violent rampage, injuring many people around in the belief they are unfeeling robots, including Bunny, Pefko, and Trout.
The film is a dark and absurdist comedy that explores themes of free will, determinism, and the nature of reality. It is also a meditation on the dangers of fanatical devotion.
Plot summary:
- Dwayne Hoover is a wealthy car salesman who is on the verge of a mental breakdown.
- He becomes obsessed with the writings of Kilgore Trout, a science fiction writer who believes that there is only one creature with free will in the universe (the reader of the novel) and everyone else is a robot.
- Hoover interprets Trout's message as addressed to him from the Creator of the Universe and goes on a violent rampage, injuring many people around in the belief they are unfeeling robots, including Bunny, Pefko, and Trout.
- Trout, who believes himself to be completely unknown as a writer, answers an invitation to appear at the Midland City arts festival.
- At the festival, Hoover accosts Trout and speed-reads his novel, Now It Can Be Told. The premise of the novel is that there is only one creature with free will in the universe (the reader of the novel) and everyone else is a robot. Hoover interprets its message as addressed to him from the Creator of the Universe and goes on a violent rampage, injuring many people around in the belief they are unfeeling robots, including Bunny, Pefko, and Trout.
Breakfast of Champions is a complex and challenging film that is not for everyone. However, it is a rewarding experience for those who are willing to take the plunge. It is a film that will stay with you long after you have seen it.
Cast
- Bruce Willis as Dwayne Hoover
- Albert Finney as Kilgore Trout
- Nick Nolte as Harry LeSabre
- Barbara Hershey as Celia Hoover
- Glenne Headly as Francine Pefko
- Lukas Haas as George "Bunny" Hoover
- Omar Epps as Wayne Hoobler
- Vicki Lewis as Grace LeSabre
- Buck Henry as Fred T. Barry
- Ken Campbell as Eliot Rosewater / Gilbert
- Jake Johanssen as Bill Bailey
- Will Patton as Moe the truck driver
- Chip Zien as Andy Wojeckowzski
- Owen Wilson as Monte Rapid
- Alison Eastwood as Maria Maritimo
- Shawnee Smith as Bonnie McMahon
- Michael Jai White as Howell
- Michael Duncan as Eli
- Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. as Commercial director
- Doug Maughan (voice) as TV/radio announcer (uncredited)
Director: Alan Rudolph
Writer: Alan Rudolph
Box Office Gross: $178,278
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Genre: Comedy
Release Date: September 17, 1999
Trailer: