Respire - Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film

Year: 2015

Breathe (France; 91
min.)

directed by:
Mélanie Laurent
starring:
Joséphine Japy; Lou de Laâge; Isabelle Carré;
Claire Keim; Radivoge Bukvic; Roxane Duran

Thom says: “This
stunning, melodramatic masterpiece is the second feature from the
gorgeous French film star and is exciting evidence that she has to be
reckoned with. That I never knew where the film was headed was strong
recommendation to its allure. It wanted to remind me of the success of BLUE IS THE
WARMEST COLOR (2013) as it threatened to swerve towards the same
plot, but it veered far, far away from that Criterion Collection
classic.

“Bullied Charlie is a teen filled with self-doubt, loneliness, despair,
and sort of a failed Goth character. Up pops newcomer Sarah, flippant,
cool, charismatic, jazzy & beautiful. The two immediately take to
each other and become inseparable, planning their futures. Charlie
isn’t shunned like she used to be by the school ‘mean girls’ and
Charlie even flirts with Sarah at one point. After that Sarah slowly
backs away from Charlie and hooks up with the school upper crust as
Charlie fades more and more into the background to her original low
level, all her confidence lost. There has to be a resolution to this
bitter film but my lips are sealed at this point. One of the most
dramatic endings I’ve seen in many years. Bravo Ms. Laurent. Acting is
all-perfect, and it’s definitely a ‘chick flick’. One of the year’s
TOPS! 5 cats“

Thom
says: “I gave this film the exact same rating that you. A step above
mediocre.”

Respire

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