Review of Breathless (1983) by Jin Y — 07 Jan 2009

I probably don't even realize how much of my own filmmaking is influenced by Godard but isn't that why he is so revolutionary? Yes, he created a groundbreaking new way of telling a story - in a nonlinear jaggedly glued together way that somehow gave birth to a realistic and self-reflective film.

on the flip side, there are moments when you, as the audience, are taken out of your moment of belief as the characters look straight at you, when the scenes jump without any coherency, and you feel like you're actively trying to follow the dialogue only to realize it's just a bunch of bs that doesn't really add to the actual storyline.

And that's precisely what Godard was probably trying to do - to remind you that HE is in control of this film, its intentions, and the way he plays his audience (I can see how some would be offended by this "pompous" style).

Story-wise, I wondered how much of Michel's chauvinistic yet obsessive persona was reflective of the gender roles and construction of that era. Patricia, when interviewing a writer (Jean-Pierre Melville), asks him if there was a place for women in modern society, to which he replies that there is, if she is wearing a striped dress and shades (which her character was wearing).

Immediately, this question of gender was put in place by sexualizing the issue and the female character. I found Patricia's character the most interesting as she struggles with her insecurities and her feelings and desires in life and in love.

Michel's self obsession and his need to carry on with his fantasy self-image was only slightly cute. I wasn't convinced that these two loved each other. I was much more convinced that they loved themselves a lot more and were still struggling with what that entails.

In the end, the arrogant tone of the film put me off a little, though I can appreciate its historic relevance. Hence, I give it three stars.