The roots are familiar, with a coming-of-age story weaving in troubled family dynamics and the variability of high school social life. Likewise, the chief conceit is one we've seen before as a fierce, hot-burning friendship develops rapidly between Charlie and Sarah, and becomes something else entirely. In the highly capable hands of Mélanie Laurent, however, even in only her second directorial effort , this rendition feels extra tight, with especially vibrant and increasingly dark energy coursing throughout; rarely have these themes and Big Ideas ever been so strident and disquieting. It's not that any one aspect specifically stands out, but rather, great skill and care across the board result in a picture that's altogether spellbinding, and superb. However it looks from the outside looking in, and from the time one starts watching, 'Breathe' is far much more than first meets the eye. Whether one is a big fan of someone involved or just looking for a good, absorbing movie, this is well worth checking out - with what I think is an important caveat that it becomes immensely discomforting, more than I ever could have anticipated.
Between the source novel and certainly Laurent and Julien Lambroschini's adapted screenplay, the dialogue, scene writing, characters, and overall story bristle with an electricity that's equally invigorating as a viewer, and unnerving. Fine as the writing is generally, the primary strength absolutely lies in the taut, buzzing dynamics between the two central characters - colliding, straining, pulling, crushing. Protagonist Charlie is deeply sympathetic in the uncertainty and conflicting moods and desires with which she is plagued, and it's to the tremendous credit of Joséphine Japy that she embodies these difficult nuances so deftly in her terrific performance. Lou de Laâge almost threatens to upstage her in her charged, spirited portrayal of Sarah - bold, forthright, uninhibited, and ruthlessly commanding. The heart of the feature, and of its drama, lies in the twisting evolution of that relationship, and as the length advances every scene and piece of dialogue is bent toward accentuating and building upon the latent, virulent perniciousness, and the harsh underlying truths of every story idea. Between Japy and de Laâge it's impossible to pick a favorite or say who's acting is better as the excruciating give and take of the proceedings mean that both characters are given prominence in turn, and likewise their actors.
Even at that, the underappreciated genius of the film lies in how it so dexterously toys with our expectations. The premise portends one thing, wherever one may read it and where 'Breathe' goes is far away from what one might initially suppose. That emphatically works in the title's favor as it shows us the underhanded, natural progression of control, manipulation, mental and emotional abuse, bullying, gaslighting, and toxic relationships. Through even the cringe-worthy climax to the exquisite final shot, Charlie is relatable and evokes our deserved pity; Sarah is shown more and more to be wholly monstrous, on a level that no personal difficulties can excuse. The course of events very adeptly cloak these ultimate overtones until the psychological moment, shifting smoothly and discreetly as necessary, and very noticeably leaving other story threads and supporting characters to fade away. Truly and genuinely, my congratulations to Laurent and Lambroschini for such strong writing - and double kudos to Laurent for searing direction that brings out the vivid, churning undercurrents in the acting, and in each scene. Weak oversight can reduce rich material to flat dullness; an able filmmaker can elevate the slightest nothings to brilliance. In this case, having already started with robust, riveting storytelling on paper, Laurent capitalizes on every beat and element and gives it terrible, striking life.
By no means is this to count out anyone else who contributed. The hair, makeup, and costume design is lovely; Arnaud Potier's cinematography is sharp and fetching, and even as it sticks to the background the soundtrack and Marc Chouarain's score further enrich the viewing experience. There's some smart use of lighting here, the crystal clear sound design becomes notably important at a few select points in spotlighting a moment, and the filming locations and sets are swell. However, the thrumming value of the picture very plainly lies in the writing, the direction, and the acting, and between these three elements 'Breathe' is both hard to watch and makes it impossible to tear our eyes away. Even if I weren't already enamored of Laurent I'd be keen to seek out more of her works based on this alone, and that surely goes as well for Japy and de Laâge, who I'm not otherwise familiar with. Given the notions on hand and the torrid thrust of the tale content warnings are necessary for the very same - but then again, in light of the shrewd manner in which the feature summons them forth, maybe this is all the more important to watch. I sat with mixed expectations and no foreknowledge, and with definite preconceptions of what the movie would be; I am so, so pleased at how mistaken I was, as this even handily surpasses and outgrows its foundation in teenage social forces. This is a film of which all involved should be proud; 'Breathe' is outstanding and earns my highest, heartiest recommendation.
Between the source novel and certainly Laurent and Julien Lambroschini's adapted screenplay, the dialogue, scene writing, characters, and overall story bristle with an electricity that's equally invigorating as a viewer, and unnerving. Fine as the writing is generally, the primary strength absolutely lies in the taut, buzzing dynamics between the two central characters - colliding, straining, pulling, crushing. Protagonist Charlie is deeply sympathetic in the uncertainty and conflicting moods and desires with which she is plagued, and it's to the tremendous credit of Joséphine Japy that she embodies these difficult nuances so deftly in her terrific performance. Lou de Laâge almost threatens to upstage her in her charged, spirited portrayal of Sarah - bold, forthright, uninhibited, and ruthlessly commanding. The heart of the feature, and of its drama, lies in the twisting evolution of that relationship, and as the length advances every scene and piece of dialogue is bent toward accentuating and building upon the latent, virulent perniciousness, and the harsh underlying truths of every story idea. Between Japy and de Laâge it's impossible to pick a favorite or say who's acting is better as the excruciating give and take of the proceedings mean that both characters are given prominence in turn, and likewise their actors.
Even at that, the underappreciated genius of the film lies in how it so dexterously toys with our expectations. The premise portends one thing, wherever one may read it and where 'Breathe' goes is far away from what one might initially suppose. That emphatically works in the title's favor as it shows us the underhanded, natural progression of control, manipulation, mental and emotional abuse, bullying, gaslighting, and toxic relationships. Through even the cringe-worthy climax to the exquisite final shot, Charlie is relatable and evokes our deserved pity; Sarah is shown more and more to be wholly monstrous, on a level that no personal difficulties can excuse. The course of events very adeptly cloak these ultimate overtones until the psychological moment, shifting smoothly and discreetly as necessary, and very noticeably leaving other story threads and supporting characters to fade away. Truly and genuinely, my congratulations to Laurent and Lambroschini for such strong writing - and double kudos to Laurent for searing direction that brings out the vivid, churning undercurrents in the acting, and in each scene. Weak oversight can reduce rich material to flat dullness; an able filmmaker can elevate the slightest nothings to brilliance. In this case, having already started with robust, riveting storytelling on paper, Laurent capitalizes on every beat and element and gives it terrible, striking life.
By no means is this to count out anyone else who contributed. The hair, makeup, and costume design is lovely; Arnaud Potier's cinematography is sharp and fetching, and even as it sticks to the background the soundtrack and Marc Chouarain's score further enrich the viewing experience. There's some smart use of lighting here, the crystal clear sound design becomes notably important at a few select points in spotlighting a moment, and the filming locations and sets are swell. However, the thrumming value of the picture very plainly lies in the writing, the direction, and the acting, and between these three elements 'Breathe' is both hard to watch and makes it impossible to tear our eyes away. Even if I weren't already enamored of Laurent I'd be keen to seek out more of her works based on this alone, and that surely goes as well for Japy and de Laâge, who I'm not otherwise familiar with. Given the notions on hand and the torrid thrust of the tale content warnings are necessary for the very same - but then again, in light of the shrewd manner in which the feature summons them forth, maybe this is all the more important to watch. I sat with mixed expectations and no foreknowledge, and with definite preconceptions of what the movie would be; I am so, so pleased at how mistaken I was, as this even handily surpasses and outgrows its foundation in teenage social forces. This is a film of which all involved should be proud; 'Breathe' is outstanding and earns my highest, heartiest recommendation.