“Breathless” (original title: “À bout de souffle”) is a 1960 French New Wave film directed by Jean-Luc Godard. It is a seminal work in the French New Wave cinema movement, known for its innovative style and storytelling techniques. The film tells the story of a young, reckless criminal who falls in love with an American student in Paris, blending romance, crime, and existential themes.
The film opens with Michel Poiccard (played by Jean-Paul Belmondo), a small-time car thief and aspiring gangster who idolizes the cinematic image of Humphrey Bogart. Michel steals a car in Marseille and heads to Paris, but on the way, he is stopped by a motorcycle policeman. In a panic, Michel shoots and kills the policeman, marking him as a fugitive.
In Paris, Michel seeks out Patricia Franchini (played by Jean Seberg), an aspiring American journalist who sells the New York Herald Tribune on the Champs-Élysées. Patricia, unaware of Michel’s criminal activities, is intrigued by his charisma and nonchalant attitude. On the other hand, Michel is infatuated with Patricia and tries to persuade her to run with him to Italy. As Michel hides from the police, he spends his days with Patricia, evading capture and living moment to moment. The couple’s interactions are marked by playful banter, philosophical conversations, and moments of tension as Michel’s criminal past looms over them. Patricia is torn between her growing affection for Michel and her ambition to become a serious journalist. As the police close in on Michel, his behavior becomes increasingly erratic. He continues to steal cars and commit petty crimes to fund their escape plan. Patricia starts to realize the gravity of Michel’s situation, and her feelings become conflicted. She loves Michel but is also repelled by his lawlessness and the danger it brings. The turning point comes when Patricia, in a moment of uncertainty and fear, contacts the police and informs them of Michel’s whereabouts. Despite her betrayal, she warns Michel, giving him a chance to flee. However, Michel, feeling defeated and disillusioned, decides not to run. In a final act of defiance, he remains in the street as the police arrive.
The film concludes with a dramatic and tragic ending. Michel is shot by the police and collapses in the street, mortally wounded. As he lies dying, he looks up at Patricia, who stands by watching, and mutters the enigmatic phrase, “C’est vraiment dégueulasse” (“It’s really disgusting”). Puzzled and saddened, Patricia asks what he means, but Michel dies before he can respond. “Breathless” is celebrated for its groundbreaking style, including its use of jump cuts, naturalistic dialogue, and hand-held camera work, which were revolutionary at the time. The film’s narrative is fragmented and spontaneous, reflecting the characters’ existential uncertainty. Themes of freedom, rebellion, love, and existential angst are woven throughout the film, making it a quintessential representation of the French New Wave ethos.
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