Review of Breathless (2009) by Darren H — 23 Apr 2010

Small-time hustler Michel lives a carefree life so out-of-rhythm with the normal lifestyle - visualized with adventurous freestyle editing and a spontaneous jazz score - that the consequences of his actions seem not far behind. This attracts a drifting young American - Patricia - and nearly pulls her completely off the tracks of her humdrum, pampered life. Both live in the moment, together and connected through their opposing energies (rather than their disconnected dialogue).

In the end, Breathless is about beautiful, young white people romping around Paris. The plot is conventional noir fodder and the film transcends the material by bringing in a sense of realism and playing with a film language that's been staid for decades. It's a landmark of indie and experimental film-making and immaculately captures the bursting spirit of the 60s.