Breathless

Rating:
Summary: A Very Important Film
Review: One can see why this movie launched Godard into international fame. Clever, oft-reckless editing, great chemistry among actors, camera angles...It was my first Godard, and, although not as clean as his other films, it is something I like to go back to. If you like Godard's work and haven't seen this movie, I think you're lying, but if you are just entering the realm of French New Wave cinema, see Breathless either now or later, as long as you sit back and enjoy it's pulsating energy. A masterpiece of the era.

Rating:
Summary: Jean Seberg... oh la la...
Review: Jean Seberg makes me want to buy the New York Herald Tribune. ...grrr.... Buy this film. If not for Jean S., then for the fact that it's ok.

Rating:
Summary: The film is phenomenal this particular copy is horrible
Review: While Godard's classic, breathless, is undeniably one of the greatest films ever made, the version released from the International Film Series is nearly unwatchable. It is terribly overexposed, washing out much of the picture detail, and making most of the white-on-white subtitles impossible to read. In addition, (I am unsure if this is unique to my particular copy) the video tends to ghost, and in places appears pink with a moving vertical (this is definately not a tracking problem, rather a glitch with the copy of the film this tape was recorded from). I would recommend this film to anyone, however it might be best to purchase the other version.

Rating:
Summary: Ground-breaking New Wave Classic!
Review: This is one of the most refreshingly entertaining french movies of all time. While ground-breaking in it's use of editing, the movie is also refreshingly original in it's story (by Francois Truffaut). Jean Paul Belmondo is the embodiment of 'coolness' as the anti-hero Michel Poiccard, even if he is a 'small-time' hood. Jean Seberg is beautiful as his 'cute' american love interest. While it may not appeal to the general public, film lovers and insiders will be delighted. Great for sophisticated viewers. One of the all-time greats. From a scale of 1-10 I give this movie a 10!

Rating:
Summary: the new wave
Review: the 400 blows,hiroshima mon amour & l'annee dernier a marienbad,pickpocket and a bout de souffle (breathless)are, somehow, a new way to look at things and how to express it to anybody else, on a screen. the edition and the shooting of this film is one of the countless virtues it conceals. belmondo & seberg actuations are superb, as well. they create a couple and their story -it is a film noir indeed- is being told in a completely different way. he's a thief who meets seberg, and a crazy and naïf love affair begins. he, a modern tough but tender guy, wants to find his way out of his enviroment by mockering every law, while she reveals as a chic, short-haired femme fatale who'll carry everything to tragedy and betrayal. the final shot is pure poetry. this movie changed everything and it still remains inimitated, even for godard himself. breathtaking music. script by françois truffaut.

Rating:
Summary: LET US BEGIN
Review: So you've heard of Godard? You want to see/study all of his key 60's films? No better place to start than with BREATHLESS, his first feature. The only problem is that if you expect a logical progression from one film to the next [as you work your way through his ouevre], you won't be satisfied. Godard reinvented the film art [as he saw it] with each successive film he made. But all this aside, watch this film for its energy and its daring. Its a film made by a cinema fan - heavily influenced by US B-films - who, in turn, influenced, not only more cinema fans but also many film critics and film makers to come. Thankyou Mr Godard!

Rating:
Summary: Great classic, many unreadable subtitles
Review: This film deserves the excellent reputation it has earned. However the version I purchased (International Film Series) has white subtitles against white backgrounds. Only about 60% are fully readable. Other releases may have the same problem. Do not buy this unless you speak French.

Rating:
Summary: It's still a liberating film, in form and content.
Review: The innovataive visual style of Goddard's first feature long film has now become, perhaps, a cliche. Today, when European Film Art is being transformed by the likes of Von-Trier, we can look at the French revolution of the New Wave with a new insight. But even if he still adhered to many now outdated modes, like the notion of individualistic authorship, Goddard was perhaps the first to show that the triteness of Hollywood films can be challenged from the outside. Bearing the sordid artistic reality of American cinema at the time (and the fact that it hasn't improved much since), this tantalising work of a real master is still a liberating film, both in form and in content.

Rating:
Summary: A true classic
Review: If ever there was a film that summed up a genre this is it. "Breathless," with its hard edge feel and heavy American influence, sums up French New Wave like few others. Making use of such inivative techniques as hand held cameras and bold editing it is a film that in many ways helped usher in the '60s film revolution. Viewing the film now it is almost impossible to believe it was made 40 years ago. And besides all that it is well acted, Jean Seberg grabs that audience with her increadable screen presence and doesn't let go. After watching her performance one wonders if any of today's stars could do the job like she did.

Rating:
Summary: Exceptional
Review: Excellent film