Breakpoint Serves up the Laughs

Jeremy Sisto and David Walton in, Breakpoint

Breakpoint serves up some good old family disfunction and plenty of laughs. The comedy is the brainchild of actor Jeremy Sisto, known for "Six Feet Under" and "The Returned," and his friend Gene Hong, a writer-producer whose credits include "Bones," who thought there was room in Hollywood for a tennis dramady.

The two came up with the idea for "Break Point," which opened in U.S in theaters  on Friday — quite appropriately, in the midst of the U.S. Open andis already available on video on demand.

Sisto plays Jimmy Price, a 35-year-old man-child who, as a professional doubles tennis player, has the attitude of vintage John McEnroe. He plays hard on and off the court, and his boorish manner has alienated him from almost everybody on the circuit. After he's dumped by his latest partner, Jimmy decides to make one more run for the top, so he approaches his former partner: estranged brother Darren (David Walton), now working as a substitute teacher.

Oscar winner J.K. Simmons plays their dad, Amy Smart costars as the woman Darren adores, and Joshua Rush plays the precocious Barry, one of Darren's grade school students who hangs out with the brothers.

J.K. Simmons

The film is directed by Jay Karas who was intrigued by the family conflict in the script. 

David Walton, who starred in the NBC series "About a Boy,"  actually began playing tennis when he was 3. He jumped at the chance to play Darren. "Being in a sports movie is so in my bucket list," he said. "I didn't realize that you could combine two of the things you love most into one thing."

Breakpoint does not have a release date in Canada, but you can watch it on V.O.D.

I spoke with actors Jeremy Sisto, David Walton, J.K. Simmons and director Jay Karas about working on the film, playing tennis on and off set and being upstaged by their wonderful young co-star Joshua Rush.