Breathless [DVD]

I remember Siskel and Ebert taking this movie to the woodshed back in the day. Being a callow youngster, I thought they were being awfully mean. Alas, they were right - the clip is on YouTube.Directed by Jim McBride (Rancho Deluxe, Great Balls of Fire, 92 In The Shade, Heaven's Prisoners and The Big Easy.) Co-written by the legendary L. M. Kit Carson (Paris, Texas and the satirical Texas Chainsaw Massacre: part 2). L.M. Kit Carson also directed the infamous (and withheld - but heavily bootlegged - Dennis Hopper documentary, American Dreamer(71?). It has to be seen to be believed. It's now easily available. (It's along the lines of the equally infamous Rolling Stones doc C***s*cker Blues.) However, this film barely rises above as a curiosity.This 80s nod to Goddard's groundbreaking Breathless - one of the most influential films of all time. This remake is sooo wrong. Richard Gere is wildly miscast - I'm a fan, but he's never been the boyish, likable type. He's plays a 28 year old who acts like a twelve-year old spazz. A still boyish Jeff Bridges, say, might have made this film marginally better. Valery Karpsky's character is so underwritten it's almost shameful. I have a feeling the director had her exaggerate her accent. Big mistake - her performance had critics and viewers snickering on two Continents. Luckily, her H'wood debut is a footnote in a long career. Then again, the same can be said of Richard Gere.Valery Karpsky, a great actress( or starred in great films, anyway) in a lousy and thankless role. Understandably, she moved back to France, where she enjoys an illustrious career. Alas, "the next Isabelle Adjani/U.S. career" was thwarted - which is too bad, she's a breathtakingly beautiful.The "logic" of original 60s film worked; one never said "aww..c'mon!!"Then again, a remake of one of the best - certainty one of the most influential - films ever made must have been daunting. A nobel (and novel) experiment gone wrong. Breathless would be easier to (re)make nowadays: the pop culture references, the protagonist's idea that he's living in a movie, a beauty that (for awhile, anyway) falls for a "rap" - as opposed to an obnoxious man-child would actually be timely nowadays. This remake is preposterous. Plot, motivation, everything. Not for a single moment do you believe The Girl -she's supposed to be a student on the fast track to a life of prestige and wealth. Good for unintentional laffs, kinda like Loni Anderson playing a nuclear physicist... or something like that.Great rock and roll soundtrack, though. Including a song commissioned for the film by L.A. punk legends, X - a cover of Jerry Lee Lewis ' "Breathless." Lots of other 50s tunes as well.If nothing else, it was through this film in which I "discovered" a L.M. Kit Carson/ Jim McBride collaboration from the 60s - a must see!

When you look at this film you see, amazing direction, lighting, pacing, scene composition and acting. There is a natural chemistry with Gere and Kaprisky. Gere is very convincing...It's all or nothing when it comes to Jesse's philosophy on love, and let's nothing stand in his way.I think the negative cynical critiques miss the point of the story; the main character Jesse seems to understand human nature as reflected in his summation of Monica's teacher's motives and methods of "society." The university teacher buys everything (sex, loyalty) through the lure of status, power, money and bartering sex in exchange for a place in that society; which Jesse sees as a more repulsive illusion of materialism than stealing cars or doing whatever he needs to do.His character seems to persuade the audience that his reversal of societal norms as an outlaw is more about non conforming to to the corrupt methods of climbing the social ladder where a woman must use her body to barter with her professor. Is he right ? Yet when he sees Monica being lured by the Professor , he Is repulsed and uses the psychology of rejection to evoke his lover's true emotions- thereby flying under the radar and filters of society's rules; He also simultaneously confronts Monica about her decisions to sell herself for extrinsic rewards rather than living for what she really feels deep inside - her intrinsic natural passion for him, not based upon a monetary and or reward of position of status as a female architect. She has to barter with her body to get there.He forces her to decide what's really of real value to her in a childlike perspective referencing a comic book. But Jesse also uses social psychology to pursuade and seduce her emotionallyAt any rate to me, I found it to be a great film. But I guess it all depends on your view. Jesse's view is more that the rules of the corrupt society he lives in is an illusory trap of "material nothingness."

Breathless was an American take on the classic 1960 film by Jean-Luc Godard. The movie borrows some of the major elements of the original such as the main character Richard Gere being a criminal who gets into trouble, goes on the run, and has hots for a girl, in this case Valerie Kaprisky. The movie really focuses upon Gere’s obsession with Kaprisky with his problems growing in the background. Gere plays his role very well. The inclusion of the Silver Surfer comic book hero to compare to Gere’s situation was an original twist. It also highlights a lot of Los Angeles sights like Venice Beach and Randy’s Donuts in Inglewood. That all makes it a nice adventure but it doesn’t touch the French film which captured the zeitgeist of the emerging 60s youth culture.

OMG! I loved this movie! Richard Gere is so hot here! I like this movie even better than Pretty Woman. There is nothing better than to see naked Richard Gere. LOL A little bit of action, a little bit of sex. This is the movie you would watch the second time.

This is a far cry from "Pretty Woman," "Primal Fear," and "Unfaithful." In "Breathless," Richard Gere is wild, wilder than ever. He is handsome, handsome as ever. He is sexy. But, then, he is always sexy. This film shows the breath of Richard Gere's talent in being able to play varied parts with ease.Richard Gere is my favorite actor next to Denzel Washington. And, of course, Cary Grant.

I've Always Loved this Movie Ever Since I was a Kid & it's Still One of My All Time Favorites. It Totally Brings Me Back to My Childhood and to '83.

Everything you want in a film. Romance, action, the anti-hero. Will they make it against all odds? Will there treacherous love save them? Watch the film.

I love this movie because it appeals to the doomed romantic in me. So, if like me, you too are a doomed romantic you will love this movie! There is plenty of action, excitement, romance, and a little sex, with just the right amount of tragedy to make any 'doomed romantic' very happy. However, if you are the romantic comedy type, please avoid this movie at all costs!

Love this film. It is Richard Gere at his best. Young and handsome. I used to have the film on video and loved it back in the 80's. Good story of a loveable bad boy obsessed with a pretty college girl. Valerie Kaprisky was well chosen to play opposite Richard Gere.

I used to love this film but it isn’t good quality at all but it is a very old film. Never mind, I love Richard Gere so still watched it!

This is an interesting and easy to watch film and one that Richard Gere fans will enjoy.

I remember watching this DVD in the eighties and it is just as good now as it was then.

excellent revamp. gere has never looked better. check out the end...filmed outside the gates of errol flynnes` ruined house!