Breathless is a French New wave film that was released in 1960, and was directed by Jean-Luc Godard. When it was released, it shook the world. This was a film that had unknown actors, took risks, and was considered to be bad editing for the time. What they ended up with is something truly unique that pays homage to American film while still having the feel of a French film.
Breathless was based on a newspaper article that Godard had read years ago about a man named Michel, and his American girlfriend who stole a car and ran over a cop by mistake. From there, he wrote the script as he went, which is uncommon though I think allowed him to stew and fix things as they went. Michel is meant to be a seducer of women, the kind of guy that is stereotyped as a ‘Bad Boy’, yet still has more depth than a stereotype. The film spends a lot of time going through his everyday life, which makes him look more human, and make us feel more for him once he dies. Even though he is a thief and a killer, those small details add to build something greater. It shows the tension between him and his lover, Patricia, as she struggles to make the choice of going with him, or doing what was right and turning him in. We can see they have feelings for each other based on movement and dialect, as well as the seance where they hide in her apartment. This helps give the ending a more shocking and surprising factor.
This film is unconventional, and makes good use of jump cuts. The actors will be speaking when the film cuts, often to another angle, so sometimes you can’t see the mouth of the actor which is common in American film. It doesn’t have a clear story, and instead tells more in the background then outright with words. The main conflict, where he kills a cop, happens first off in the film and barely lasts a minute. There was no build up to this moment, but we slowly see the build-up of that choice as he hides out and prepares to run. Like most French films, it is very open when it comes to showing and using sexual references. In America, this was unheard of and if it was mentioned, it was done so discreetly. In Breathless, the characters straight up talk about it, and Michel is even asked if he has ever been a Giglio.
This film is over fifty years old, and at the time was a risky endeavor. Today we can look back on it and see how it influenced other New Wave French films as well as see the stunning use of showing while not telling. It is considered one of the greatest films of that time for a good reason, it is a masterpiece due to its jump cuts and shaky method of recording, and is one that should be watched at least once.
Hi Todd,
I like how you described the editing as being too american for the french. I can see how it would be an issue back then. Instead of seeing the individual speaking you are watching the other person react to what that individual is saying. From the title I would have never learned that this film was about a relationship between a woman and a murderer. Your description definitely makes me want to watch it.
Hi Todd,
I also have a great respect for unconventional films that take a lot of chances, as both Breathless and Solaris (the film I choose to review) do so well. I have never seen or even heard of Breathless before, nor was I aware of its unique jump-cut style, and it sounds pretty interesting. I admire your strong understanding of camera techniques (such as the jump-cutting style), and would like to incorporate more of that kind of analysis in my works as well.
I agree that the film did make very good use of the technique of jump cutting. I did not previously know that the film was based upon an article read by the director years earlier. It adds a fascinating twist to the film, and is, I think, worth knowing when you watch the film. Your use of an in text video is something I would like to try in the future.
Hi Todd,
I also wrote about this film so it was interesting to read what you had to say. I didn’t even know that Godard took inspiration from real people! It was so cool to learn that from your essay. I also have to agree with you on the sense that the editing was quite erratic, even for me at times so I could easily see how the french weren’t too keen on it back then. I also like how you brought up the “showing not telling” element of the film, I totally blanked on that while I was writing my blog post! You sound genuinely interested and you’re incredibly informant on the film. There’s a lot that you brought up that I was too hesitant to write about in my post, but took note of. You inspire me to take more risks with my writing.
I have never watched breathless but it sounds like a great movie to watch. I like how I have never seen the movie but I have a pretty good idea of what the movie is about and what makes it so great and why it is viewed as one of the most stunning films. I had no idea that “Breathless” was based off of a newspaper article.