Movie Reviews for Breathless

Breathless

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Movie Reviews of Breathless

Movie Review: Breaking of the new wave
Summary: 4 Stars

Breathless - in it's lean, pared down, gritty realism - is a seminal movie. Michel Poiccard (Jean Paul Belmondo) is a disaffected youth, a sort of French James Dean, who steals a car, shoots a policeman, then goes on the run. Whilst trying to track down money he is owed so he can escape to Italy, he pursues his affair with the beautiful, bird like Patricia by breaking into her hotel room. In a memorable, drawn out scene, the two lovers flirt and fight amongst the pillows, discussing the deeply philosophical and the trite and trivial. The dialogue sequence in this scene is a superb piece of cinematic realism. The detail of Breathless - Michel's white shirt and Bogart style cigarette and hat combo, Patricia's striped dresses, he city of Paris, a sharp jazz score, the doomed forebodings of noir - raise this film up to its position as Flicks magazine puts it: the yardstick of celluloid cool.

Movie Review: Breathless
Summary: 4 Stars

Older movies are like Shakespeare. They are to be appreciated by all and enjoyed by few. BREATHLESS, while cutting-edge at the time, plays in today's world like any student film one is likely to see. This reviewer found the flick very charming and very interesting in a historical context. I understand, however, how others may find it tedious, boring, and ultimately unfulfilling.

I recommend BREATHLESS to anyone interested in film history and/or anyone interested in old film noirs. The later group will find the european version of the old American crime movies rather interesting.

Additionally, if you happen to be a Tarantino fan, check this film out as the grandfather of RESEVOIR and PULP FICTION; it certainly is that.

Movie Review: Great movie, mediocre transfer.
Summary: 4 Stars

You can read the other reviews to hear what a great classic of French New Wave cinema this is.

My only complaint with the DVD is the narrow-screen "pan and scan" format, and the sound quality. The picture quality is very nice but they made this DVD from a VHS restoration, so the sound quality is only so so, with a low hiss permeating the sound track. I wish they had a letterbox edition!

Movie Review: Great film, not so great picture quality
Summary: 4 Stars

This is my favourite Godard film, deserving 5 stars for sure, but the picture quality on this version isn't that great - perfectly watchable, and not really hindering the film that much, but I'll be waiting for something better. I heard a rumour Criterion will be releasing this. I certainly hope that's true.