Old Dude, Old Movies - "Breathless"

Released in 1960, it's often noted as an influential part of the French "new wave" of cinema in that era.. Jean-Luc Godard directed this film, and it influences film-makers today. Yeah, it was stylish and innovative in pushing the "jump cut" style of editing. And yes, the scenes of Paris make a great backdrop for the story. Fashionable people walking around a beautiful city will grab your attention.

I either didn't get it, or was focused on the wrong things. In any event, I didn't enjoy this movie at all.

Jean-Paul Belmondo stars as "Michel", a small-time crook with no redeeming qualities. But, yeah, he always seemed to dress well. (except for the "tweed jacket and silk socks" thing late in the film). Jean Seberg ("Patricia") is cute and waif-like as an American student studying journalism at the Sorbonne. They have a brief history, and Michel drifts back into Patricia's life like trash blowing down a street.

Michel steals a succession of cars. Michel steals from friends and acquaintances. Michel kills a motorcycle cop, seemingly just because he can. Michel chases after the elusive Berruti (Henri-Jacques Huet), who owes Michel money for some task done in the recent past. Michel idolizes Humphrey Bogart, but misses the point of Bogie.

In his iconic roles, there was a depth of character that Bogart was able to show on-screen. He may have been a bad guy (like in "The Petrified Forest") or broken (like in "The Caine Mutiny"), but there was something about his characters the film-watcher could access. There was something that drew you in to understand better the character. Michel tried to ape the slouch or physical style, but never got near the gravity of the Bogart persona.

I watched it, and it was different than anything else made in that time. But to me, the story lacked heart. I didn't have a reason to relate to Michel. He was a deadbeat and a wastrel. And frankly, Patricia seemed like a lightweight, a cipher character added to provide a simple contrast to Michel's amoral behavior. I didn't care if they got together or if they drifted apart. But yeah, they looked cool.

Yep, I watched this film, watched it close. It's everything critics said it was. I see the media evidence that people closely study this one, and point to it as a "sea change" in the art of movie making. Nearly everyone raves about it. For me, it wasn't enjoyable. I watched it once, but I won't watch it again.