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Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean Seberg, Daniel Boulanger, Jean-Pierre Melville, Liliane David ... see more see more... , Henri-Jacques Huet , Van Doude , Roger Hanin , Jean Domarchi , Claude Mansard , Jean-Louis Richard , Liliane Robin , Richard Balducci , Philippe de Broca , Michel Fabre , Francois Moreuil

The first feature film directed by Jean-Luc Godard and one of the seminal films of the French New Wave, Breathless is story of the love between Michel Poiccard, a small-time hood wanted for killing a ... read more read more...cop, and Patricia Franchini, an American who sells the International Herald Tribune along the boulevards of Paris. Their relationship develops as Michel hides out from a dragnet. Breathless uses the famous techniques of the French New Wave: location shooting, improvised dialogue, and a loose narrative form. In addition Godard uses his characteristic jump cuts, deliberate "mismatches" between shots, and references to the history of cinema, art, and music. Much of the film's vigor comes from collisions between popular and high culture: Godard shows us pinups and portraits of women by Picasso and Renoir, and the soundtrack includes both Mozart's clarinet concerto and snippets of French pop radio. When Breathless was first released, audiences and critics responded to the burst of energy it gave the French cinema; it won numerous international awards and became an unexpected box-office sensation. ~ Louis Schwartz, Rovi

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57 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Jean-Luc Godard

Release Date: February 7, 1961

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DVD Release Date: November 20, 2001

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Stats: 2,481 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,481)

  • fb100001048934982
    February 12, 2013
    fb100001048934982
    Jean-Luc Godard's 'Breathless' is a landmark in french cinema, a film that influenced many American films and directors that followed. Referencing pop culture and employing the use of jump cuts, 'Breathless' was a revolution for its time and changed some of cinema's landscape. Th... read moreough slowly paced, the film still survives as one of the greatest from the new wave era and its impact on the industry is still potent.
  • cosmo313
    August 28, 2011
    cosmo313
    After hearing so damn much about this movie and its reputation, I was sure that I would either love it, or be disappointed by it, mostly because it couldn't possibly have lived up to the hype.

    Well, now that I've watched it, I'm gonna give it a review, but I'm gonna be bold and... read more saw that, despite all that I'm about to write, I think I might need to see it again before I can really assess how I feel about it. I should probably just watch it again before I do this review, but I don't have the time right now, so just there.

    Jean-Luc Godard's feature debut (a seminal part of the French New Wave) is a breezy, hip, and wonderful 90 minute joy ride that pretty much defined several areas of life and cinema, creating an influence that still lives on to this day. As per the hallmarks of the FNW, this film features improvised dialogue, location shooting (with natural lighting), and a loose narrative structure. In the case of this film though, the narrative is not only loose, it's almost non existant.

    I mean, really, the plot is that of a petty criminal (modeling himself after Bogart) who kills a man, goes on the run, and seeks refuge in the company of his American girlfriend. That it's The bulk of the movie is just crusining around or chilling at home, with talking being the most dominant activity that occurs (with smoking and being cool right behind).

    By definition this is a crime film, yet it's really just a fun hang out movie. People just hang out and be cool and stylish, and that's it. But this film is done in such a great way that I undersatand why it is so beloved and influential. Godard's trademark use of jump cuts can be a bit off putting at first but they add to the spontaneity of things.

    Stylistically, this film is top notch, but in terms of cinematic style and all aorund design. The clothes, music, sets, and all of that are just awesome. I kind of hate this movie for being so cool and hip. I'm probably just jealous. This film is pretentious, I won't lie, but I feel like a traitor for calling it out. Maybe Godard didn't plan on it being that way, or maybe he did and I'm just a fool for buying into it like so many others have.

    Regardless, this is one of those films whose legacy you can't deny, even if it isn't your thing. You really do need to see this, as it is required viewing for even the most casual of film lovers.
  • superjoker1
    July 20, 2011
    superjoker1
    The extremely quirky personality the movie opens with is as charming as can be, but the film grows boring, the dialogue is hit-and-miss, there are plot-holes aplenty, and the lead actor isn't very likeable.
  • fb619846742
    April 15, 2011
    fb619846742
    A well-paced, fantastically detailed character study of a small-time crook (Jean-Paul Belmondo) who gets in to deep once he kills a policeman on a country road, which forces him to take refuge with his girlfriend who is an aspiring journalist. This is without question a perfect f... read moreilm, once that remains entirely interesting despite possessing a somewhat slow pace. It is a slightly better film that "The 400 Blows", another film credited with starting the French New Wave era in film, due to is ability to become energetic at certain parts of the story, especially at the coda. Definitely one of the better foreign films that I have seen, and one that should be seen by anyone who loves movies of any kind.
  • stevenecarrier
    March 7, 2011
    stevenecarrier
    I wanted so much to not like Jean-Luc Godard's "Breathless," but alas, I simply loved it. This is a film that does not really amount to much but it's done with such style and energy that I couldn't help being swept up. The film is extremely visceral and immediate, jumping around ... read morefrom place to place, emotion to emotion, contact to contact; with as much reckless abandon as the relationship of Michel and Patricia. The performances by Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg are calculated and playful, messy and articulate. Much can be debated over the films endless influences and what the story ultimately adds up to, but for me, "Breathless" was an entrancing and dizzying experience.
  • lewiskendell
    December 11, 2010
    lewiskendell
    Full review coming later, after I've seen this again. I will say that Jean Seberg is perhaps one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen on film.
  • ajv2688
    November 21, 2010
    ajv2688
    Another classic I couldn't stand, the French new wave style is interesting, but pretty annoying, and that is the main attraction of this movie. If you're interested in style, see this movie, if not, I wouldn't recommend it.
  • sanjurosamurai
    March 10, 2010
    sanjurosamurai
    godards most famous film is even better after a second viewing. the jump cutting caught me off guard a bit the first time, but the more godard ive seen the more ive grown to love his use of this technique that he discovered in this film almost by accident. belmondo is brilliant... read more as always, and the scene where he pays homage to bogart, another one of my favorite actors, has become a favorite cinematic moment of mine. the film is a bit brutal but incredibly cool at the same time, kicking in the french new wave with style.
  • StarCrossedVoyager
    October 3, 2009
    StarCrossedVoyager
    A little confusing as it was hard to keep up with the subtitles however a decent story with great cinematical significance. Directed really well and revloutionary at the time. Sometimes it didn't make sense but overall a good film. Not in a rush to see it again, however.
  • SirPant
    October 2, 2009
    SirPant
    Extremely influential and a favourite of portentous film snobs, all modern cinema started here. The new wave wasn?t/isn't to everybody?s taste but, honestly, who can resist Jean-Paul Belmondo's horney wannabe gangster and such brilliant dialogue such as 'My ambition is to find th... read moree secret of eternal youth, and then die!'. I love it!

View All Breathless (À bout de souffle) (By a Tether) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Chris Vognar
August 20, 2010
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

Breathless jumps to its own rhythm and pokes holes in its idols even as it worships them. Full Review

Jonathan F. Richards
August 4, 2010
Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com

On its fiftieth birthday Breathless remains fresh and exciting, although its revolutionary approach has long since been absorbed into the mainstream, and the years do show on it a bit. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
July 16, 2010
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

Even 50 years later, it's easy feel how vivid a game-changer Breathless must have been when it arrived. Full Review

Ty Burr
July 15, 2010
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

This movie liberated the cinema -- the stories you could tell and the ways you could tell them -- as clearly and cleanly as Picasso freed painting and the Sex Pistols rebooted rock. Full Review

Sarah Kaufman
July 9, 2010
Sarah Kaufman, Washington Post

Breathless has the proportions wrong. Too much rambling, too little point. Full Review

Dave Calhoun
June 24, 2010
Dave Calhoun, Time Out

If you've never seen Breathless, see it now -- but don't expect an easy ride. If you haven't seen it for ages, see it again and be surprised at the fresh reactions it provokes. Full Review

Michael Phillips
June 21, 2010
Michael Phillips, At the Movies

Breathless feels like it was [made] tomorrow. Full Review

A.O. Scott
June 21, 2010
A.O. Scott, At the Movies

It's like a bullet from the future of movies. Full Review

Peter Rainer
June 11, 2010
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

One of the most famous and influential movies ever made. Full Review

Ella Taylor
May 26, 2010
Ella Taylor, Village Voice

Breathless makes alienation look like it was a lot more fun in 1960 than in the ponderous gravitas or ante-upping brutality of indie film today. Full Review

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