Watch Breathless

Breathless (1960) is a French film directed and written by Jean-Luc Godard. It is widely regarded as a classic in the history of French New Wave Cinema, and as one of the most influential films in the history of cinema. The film stars Jean-Paul Belmondo as Michel Poiccard, a petty criminal on the run after shooting a police officer, and Jean Seberg as Patricia Franchini, an American student living in Paris who becomes involved with Michel.

The film's plot follows Michel as he tries to evade the police, and eventually seeks refuge with his former girlfriend, Patricia. As the two begin a tumultuous relationship, Michel continues to try and evade capture, while Patricia becomes increasingly drawn to him, despite his criminal past. Throughout the film, the audience is kept on edge as Michel's situation becomes more dangerous, and Patricia becomes more conflicted about her feelings for him.

One of the key themes of Breathless is the idea of alienation and the search for identity in a post-war world. This is reflected in the film's characters, who are all struggling to define their place in society. Michel, as a petty criminal living in poverty, feels disconnected from the world around him, and is searching for a way to break free. Patricia, on the other hand, is a young woman who is trying to find her own path in life, but is caught between the culture of her native America and the more intellectual and artistic world of Paris.

Another important theme in the film is the tension between traditional cinematic conventions and the new approaches being developed by filmmakers of the French New Wave. Godard subverts many of the conventions of traditional Hollywood cinema, using jump cuts, improvised dialogue, and a handheld camera style to create a more naturalistic and raw depiction of the characters and their world. This style became a hallmark of the French New Wave and influenced filmmakers around the world.

The film's iconic final sequence has become one of the most famous in cinema history, and is seen as a perfect encapsulation of the film's themes of alienation and identity. In the scene, Michel is in a car with Patricia, speeding towards an uncertain future. As the camera focuses on their faces, the audience is left to wonder what will become of them, and what their fate will be. This open ending has been celebrated as a bold departure from traditional Hollywood storytelling, and as a reflection of the uncertainty and anxiety of life in the modern world.

Breathless was a critical and commercial success, and helped to establish Godard as one of the leading figures of the French New Wave. It has since become a cultural touchstone, inspiring countless filmmakers and film fans around the world. Its impact can be seen in the films of Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and countless others, and its influence can be felt in the way that cinema is made and consumed today. For those interested in the history of cinema, in particular the French New Wave, Breathless is an essential watch.

Breathless is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 58 minutes.