Breathe

Name: Breathe
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
Released: October 13, 2017
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 51
Cast: Amit Shah, Andre Jacobs, Andrew Garfield, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Camilla Rutherford

2017

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Ratings

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6.2

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6.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Ratings

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Breathe

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Movie Details & Credits

Bleecker Street Media | Release Date: October 13, 2017 | PG-13

Starring: Amit Shah, Andre Jacobs, Andrew Garfield, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Camilla Rutherford, Claire Foy, David Butler, Dean-Charles Chapman, Diana Rigg, Ed Speleers, Honey Holmes, Hugh Bonneville, James Wilby, Miranda Raison, Roger Ashton-Griffiths, Stephen Mangan, Tom Hollander

Summary: An adventurous couple refuse to give up in the face of a devastating disease, instead celebrating a life of love and human possibility. Based on the inspiring true story.

Director: Andy Serkis

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 118 min

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Critic Reviews

Randy Cordova

Oct 19, 2017

Breathe is a valentine, but it's a valentine that is quite moving. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Oct 19, 2017

Breathe is an inspirational story well told, but it’s essentially a paint-by-numbers biopic of a very deserving subject, with only a few bursts of stylistic flair and a couple of minor surprises at best. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Oct 20, 2017

Cavendish would become a lifelong advocate for the disabled, and the film’s tone is at times overly reverential. But the actors carry the story ably. Read full review

Robert Abele

Oct 12, 2017

In leaving out the rasp of life from this unusual story, Breathe too often feels like a mechanized exhale. Read full review

Alan Zilberman

Oct 18, 2017

The story by screenwriter William Nicholson (“Everest”) jumps from one major episode in Robin’s life to another, but with none of those episodes delving into his interior life, Breathe remains a superficial tear-jerker. Read full review

Emily Yoshida

Oct 14, 2017

It’s a plenty good story to tell, but even by the time the respirator takes its last gasp, I was ultimately unmoved. Read full review

Danielle White

Oct 18, 2017

It’s important to note that Breathe was produced by the Cavendishes’ son Jonathan, who co-owns a production company with Serkis. I suppose not everyone sees their parents for the flawed humans that they are, but in this case, things would be a lot more interesting if they did. Read full review

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User Reviews

leeaundra

Oct 16, 2017

I truly enjoyed this film. Apparently a lot of critics were expecting something grittier from Andy Serkis. I also find it interesting that few publications sent their first string reviewers to write the reviews. Jonathan and Diana Cavendish are 100% behind this film and I DO believe thatI truly enjoyed this film. Apparently a lot of critics were expecting something grittier from Andy Serkis. I also find it interesting that few publications sent their first string reviewers to write the reviews. Jonathan and Diana Cavendish are 100% behind this film and I DO believe that what is shown is true. Perhaps some
critics wanted more darkness, but I do believe with these peoples' zest for life, they didn't allow much darkness to cloud their love and triumph. Robin lived 36 years longer than the doctors expected. I believe that he, Diana, and Jonathan enjoyed that time as much as humanly possible. It is a love letter, a tale of triumph over adversity, and most of all it is a wonderful love story. Sometimes there IS more light than darkness.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

marymaebennett

Jan 14, 2018

I have been furious since last night that this is not getting ANY Oscar attention. It was a heartwarming biopic. I don't see why it has all the poor reviews because it "sticks to the biopic formula"; since when has the Oscar's cared about that? I think my rating reflects this, had it gottenI have been furious since last night that this is not getting ANY Oscar attention. It was a heartwarming biopic. I don't see why it has all the poor reviews because it "sticks to the biopic formula"; since when has the Oscar's cared about that? I think my rating reflects this, had it gotten more acclaim, I'd doubt I'd give it a 9. I also will say it seems like people didn't like how "chipper" it was but I really didn't see it that way. This movie pulls out all the stops in the beginning to bring us back to old hollywood which is something I'm a fan of but could scare some people off though the initial Hepburnesque feeling comes to a halt when the polio strikes and the more serious performance of Foy commences. I sometimes thought the orchestral pieces were a bit too busy for my taste but were always effective in achieving the emotion they were trying to convey. The sound of the respirator also was used extremely well in a way that sneaks up on you. In terms of acting I think Foy and Garfield had fine performances. Again, I'm upset at how it's not even being considered for an Oscar nomination because I feel like this should be a movie that gets into categories such as best actor/actress and not necessarily win but AT LEAST be nominated. The real star in terms of showcasing acting ability in my mind was without a doubt Chapman who able to convey so much emotion in the very little amount of scenes he was in. Even if this was getting Oscar buzz, he wouldn't be getting a supporting actor nominee, but he gets a best supporting actor in my book. A very small note I wasn't even going to comment on but then I read another review that had the same thought as me, this movie starts in the fifties and ends in the eighties and their wardrobes NEVER change. If it didn't have the years I would've still thought they were in the imperial age by the end of the film. I would not recommend it for everyone because if you're not into Oscar-bait, you will be bored but I had had a busy day and wanted to decompress and this movie was absolutely perfect for that.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 20, 2021

I thought this was a brilliant film - a sad story, hard to watch in parts but ultimately a story of humanity, of hope in disability and, perhaps slightly more cheesily, a story of love and family.

Its an interesting and in some ways uplifting story and the performances were really good,I thought this was a brilliant film - a sad story, hard to watch in parts but ultimately a story of humanity, of hope in disability and, perhaps slightly more cheesily, a story of love and family.

Its an interesting and in some ways uplifting story and the performances were really good, especially Andrew Garfield, Tom Hollander and Stephen Mangan. Its based on a true story and this made the film all the more interesting to me. I found it intriguing and I respect the Cavendish family for how they coped with what they faced. It made me wonder about the future in terms of technical abilities to help the severley disabled.

This is a film definitely worth seeing - the story seemed well handled, its a thought provoking watch with some great performances, so I recommend it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Astor_

Apr 22, 2018

Andrew Garfield put up yet another amazing performance, this time playing the role of Robin Cavendish (12 March 1930 – 8 August 1994), a young man who got paralyzed from neck down, after being infected with polio disease.

It is inspiring, the journey he went through, from suicidalAndrew Garfield put up yet another amazing performance, this time playing the role of Robin Cavendish (12 March 1930 – 8 August 1994), a young man who got paralyzed from neck down, after being infected with polio disease.

It is inspiring, the journey he went through, from suicidal depression to a life lived to the fullest, set to inspire all severely disabled people. It shows how true love and friendship can support one emotionally and mentally, to overcome even the worst of all predicament. You would be very inspired by the story, and hopefully learn to embrace true living, even in the face of challenges in life.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Dec 28, 2017

The sentimentality and emotional manipulation almost knock it down, it's a pity, because although I would not go so far as to say that the good work of Andrew Garfield is wasted, but without a doubt the film is too forgettable to go any further.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Brent_Marchant

Oct 20, 2017

While certainly inspiring, noble and sincere, this slightly overlong fact-based romance/drama falls prey to the traps of schmaltz, manipulation and formula (at times bordering on cliche, especially in its soundtrack and cinematography). Admittedly, the film does tend to get better as it goesWhile certainly inspiring, noble and sincere, this slightly overlong fact-based romance/drama falls prey to the traps of schmaltz, manipulation and formula (at times bordering on cliche, especially in its soundtrack and cinematography). Admittedly, the film does tend to get better as it goes along (save for its drawn-out concluding segment) and features capable performances by Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, who make the material look better than it really is. However, despite these strengths, much of the film seems all too familiar and plays more like a made-for-TV movie than a theatrical release. You'll come away from this one feeling inspired and uplifted, but you're unlikely to feel cinematically fulfilled.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Fedorko

Nov 13, 2017

This movie had a lot of things wrong with it, but the things that distracted me most was the expositional dialogue and Andrew Garfield's performance. If you watch "The Theory of Everything", you get better writing and acting. The redeeming qualities were Claire Foy's performance, playing aThis movie had a lot of things wrong with it, but the things that distracted me most was the expositional dialogue and Andrew Garfield's performance. If you watch "The Theory of Everything", you get better writing and acting. The redeeming qualities were Claire Foy's performance, playing a role that we all know she can do well, and the exposure of how badly people with disabilities were treated not long ago. That does not excuse it's quintessentially Oscar-baity production value and sterility, which diminishes the sting of the message it tries to land. Mediocre.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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