Breathless 1959

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Breathless ★★★★ A Bout de Souffle 1959

Godard's first feature catapulted him to the vanguard of French filmmakers. Carefree Parisian crook, Michel (Belmondo), who emulates Humphrey Bogart, falls in love with gamine American student Patricia (Sebring) with tragic results. Wonderful scenes of Parisian life. Established Godard's Brechtian, experimental style. Belmondo's film debut. Mistitled “Breathless” for American release, the film's French title actually means “Out of Breath”; however, the fast-paced, erratic musical score leaves you breathless. French with English subtitles. Remade with Richard Gere in 1983 with far less intensity. 90m/B VHS, DVD . FR Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean Seberg, Daniel Boulanger, Jean-Pierre Melville, Liliane Robin; D: Jean-Luc Godard; W: Jean-Luc Godard; C: Raoul Coutard; M: Martial Solal. Berlin Intl. Film Fest. '60: Director (Godard).