If the world's most accomplished cinematic minds were forced to choose "the only film that matters," under threat of no Junior Mints for life, would "Breathless" end up the consensus choice? Certainly it would get some votes.
And while placing any title under the fluid category of "best film ever" is a no-win game, "Breathless" certainly mattered, when it was released in 1960, and now in its first restored-print edition on the occasion of its 50th birthday.
"Breathless" was the debut from director Jean-Luc Godard, who with Francois Truffaut and Claude Chabrol formed the upper brain trust of the French New Wave, the band of cinema maestros who forever changed the medium with their brash style and disregard for established rules.
Jean-Paul Belmondo plays the small-time hood and Jean Seberg his breezy but crafty love interest in the film set against the backdrop of a barely functional plot. Godard was much more concerned with moments and images than dot-to-dot storytelling, or as he put it loudly in his response to pre-release criticism: "Why do I need a story? I don't make films, I make cinema."
After initial confusion and hubbub, "Breathless" settled in as an acknowledged masterpiece of the most independent sort, all about adoration of style, and influential until ---- well, its influence hasn't stopped and isn't likely to do so soon. "Breathless" opens Friday for one week only at the Ken Cinema in San Diego.
"Breathless"
**** (out of four)
Starring: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean Seberg
Director: Jean-Luc Godard
Studio: Rialto Pictures
Not rated
Running time: 90 minutes
And while placing any title under the fluid category of "best film ever" is a no-win game, "Breathless" certainly mattered, when it was released in 1960, and now in its first restored-print edition on the occasion of its 50th birthday.
"Breathless" was the debut from director Jean-Luc Godard, who with Francois Truffaut and Claude Chabrol formed the upper brain trust of the French New Wave, the band of cinema maestros who forever changed the medium with their brash style and disregard for established rules.
Jean-Paul Belmondo plays the small-time hood and Jean Seberg his breezy but crafty love interest in the film set against the backdrop of a barely functional plot. Godard was much more concerned with moments and images than dot-to-dot storytelling, or as he put it loudly in his response to pre-release criticism: "Why do I need a story? I don't make films, I make cinema."
After initial confusion and hubbub, "Breathless" settled in as an acknowledged masterpiece of the most independent sort, all about adoration of style, and influential until ---- well, its influence hasn't stopped and isn't likely to do so soon. "Breathless" opens Friday for one week only at the Ken Cinema in San Diego.
"Breathless"
**** (out of four)
Starring: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean Seberg
Director: Jean-Luc Godard
Studio: Rialto Pictures
Not rated
Running time: 90 minutes
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