Don't Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker Poster

Don't Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker 2017

★ 8.05 votes74 min📅 2017-08-11

Don't Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker (2017) dives deep into the turbulent legacy of one of punk's most revered bands.

Director: Tim Irwin

Cast

Chris Bauermeister
Adam Pfahler
Blake Schwarzenbach
Blake Schwarzenbach
Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Billie Joe Armstrong
Billie Joe Armstrong
Josh Caterer
Graham Elliot
Graham Elliot
Jessica Hopper
Jessica Hopper
Kembra Pfahler
Kembra Pfahler
Chris Shiflett
Chris Shiflett

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Don't Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker (2017) about?

The film follows Jawbreaker's original members reuniting in 2007 to revisit their music and relive their tumultuous career after a 11-year hiatus. Through interviews and studio sessions, it explores their punk roots, major-label turmoil, and the personal struggles that shaped their story.

Who directed Don't Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker?

Tim Irwin directed the documentary, weaving together performance footage and candid interviews to capture the band's complex legacy.

Who stars in Don't Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker?

The documentary stars Jawbreaker's core lineup: Blake Schwarzenbach, Chris Bauermeister, and Adam Pfahler, alongside guest appearances by Steve Albini and Billie Joe Armstrong.

Is Don't Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker (2017) worth watching?

For punk fans and documentary enthusiasts, this is a must-watch—offering rare insight into a band's explosive rise and fall. While unrated on IMDb, its tight runtime, authentic interviews, and emotional depth make it compelling for music lovers seeking an unfiltered rockumentary experience.

How long is Don't Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker?

The documentary runs for 74 minutes, a concise yet powerful dive into Jawbreaker's storied career.

About Don't Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker (2017) — The definitive documentary on Jawbreaker's legendary comeback

Don't Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker (2017) dives deep into the turbulent legacy of one of punk's most revered bands. Directed by Tim Irwin, this 74-minute documentary reunites Jawbreaker's core trio—Blake Schwarzenbach, Chris Bauermeister, and Adam Pfahler—as they revisit their groundbreaking albums and raw early material in a San Francisco studio. The film blends nostalgic performances with candid reflections on their meteoric rise, sudden fall, and the internal conflicts that shattered their original lineup.

Against a backdrop of gritty rehearsal footage and archival clips, the documentary unpacks the band's 'rags to riches to rags' journey, highlighting the pressures of major-label deals, personal health battles, and the lingering wounds of creative differences. With interviews from industry figures like Steve Albini and Billie Joe Armstrong, the film captures the raw energy and emotional weight of a scene-defining act wrestling with its past—and offers fans a chance to witness a final, bittersweet reunion.