Review of Breathless (1983) by Priscilla B — 09 Jan 2012
This film still feels fresh now, so it must have been something akin to a whirlwind in the world of cinema upon its release. The two leads are both extremely cool and charismatic, as they needed to be as the film would have jarred if it had such vibrant direction from Godard but then contained stilted acting.
As it is Jean-Paul Belmondo's character succeeds in his desire to be like Humphrey Bogart, and Jean Seberg translates her very own unique style and beauty onto the screen like only a few film actresses have managed.
No doubt for years afterwards her name was a byword for fashion in the same way Audrey Hepburn's was. The content of the film is daring for the time and I don't think works as natural as this were being made in Hollywood in that period.
And Godard's visuals are bold and arresting, his jump cuts working particularly well and his editing being cited as having influenced many directors since.
This review of Breathless (1983) was written by Priscilla B on 09 Jan 2012.
Breathless has generally received positive reviews.
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