Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- kinetic
- erotic
- sardonic
- late night viewing
- 1980s movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a mixed, uneven collision of art-house romance and stylized noir, with Richard Gere's performance standing out amid reservations about the direction and Valérie Kaprisky's casting.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jesse's reckless criminality and Richard Gere's deliberately repugnant performance drive the film's fascination.
The film combines noir conventions with comic-book imagery, rockabilly music, and heightened romantic energy.
Jesse hides with Monica while police pursuit and escalating crimes threaten their brief relationship.
The journey from Las Vegas to Los Angeles and the motel-centered hiding places shape the film's restless atmosphere.
Films like Breathless, and why
Badlands
stylish crime romance centered on a charismatic fugitive and morally volatile desire
True Romance
romanticized criminal outsiders, restless road movement, and heightened genre style
The Hot Spot
erotic noir atmosphere, criminal pursuit, and doomed romantic attachment
Gun Crazy
coolly stylized lovers-on-the-run crime drama with abrasive antiheroes
Movie Details
- Director
- Jim McBride
- Release Date
- 1983-05-13
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (279)
Cast
- Richard Gere
- Valérie Kaprisky
- Art Metrano
- John P. Ryan
- William Tepper
- Robert Dunn
- Garry Goodrow
- Lisa Jane Persky
- James Hong
- Waldemar Kalinowski
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Breathless about?
- A reckless fugitive and his wary new lover collide in a hot-wired, erotic chase through the neon underside of 1980s California.
- What is Breathless like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Breathless as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Breathless violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Breathless as moderate.
- What did critics think of Breathless?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a mixed, uneven collision of art-house romance and stylized noir, with Richard Gere's performance standing out amid reservations about the direction and Valérie Kaprisky's casting.
- Which films are like Breathless?
- Films with a similar feel include Badlands, True Romance, The Hot Spot, and Gun Crazy.
- How long is Breathless?
- Breathless runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch Breathless?
- In United States, Breathless streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
