Review of Breathe (2017) by Brent_Marchant — 19 Oct 2017

While certainly inspiring, noble and sincere, this slightly overlong fact-based romance/drama falls prey to the traps of schmaltz, manipulation and formula (at times bordering on cliche, especially in its soundtrack and cinematography).

Admittedly, the film does tend to get better as it goes along (save for its drawn-out concluding segment) and features capable performances by Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, who make the material look better than it really is.

However, despite these strengths, much of the film seems all too familiar and plays more like a made-for-TV movie than a theatrical release. You'll come away from this one feeling inspired and uplifted, but you're unlikely to feel cinematically fulfilled.