One interpretation of Breathless is that it is a film about love in the modern world, where lovers know little about each others' past, have trouble communicating, follow their impulsive longings, only to end up betrayed at the end. Is there more to this take on modern romance? Is there something deeper in Michel and Patricia's relationship? Or is there something less? Is love even possible in the shadow of the atomic bomb and the Cold War? (Don't forget that Michel has other girlfriends and Patricia spent the evening -- and might have slept with -- her editor).
From the short bits I was able to watch, the main characters are engaged in an early romance filled with unknowns. Their problems in no communication and solely following impulses both stem from earlier personal issues and, when they are together, combine to become a pretty toxic relationship. This toxic relationship is why they betrayed each other in the end, because if they ever really cared for each other, the ending would have likely been far different. While there may have been parts which showed that one person may have deeply cared for the other at one point, I’m unsure that I could confidently place the label that they loved in this relationship. Sure, a deep attraction could be sometimes mislabeled as such but it is clear that the ending disproves that love existed in the relationship. The relationship likely was prolonged by the curiosity of the unknown and excitement for it. When that feeling wore off in the end, she realized she never actually liked the man but only liked the feelings. In terms of the question if love is even possible in a modern context, I’d say that true, actual love, means you care for someone more than yourself, in other words, you care for every aspect of them so deeply that you truly have an undying loyalty to them. Not as a requirement you feel you need you to fulfill, but one you couldn't possibly see yourself living without completing. As this is part of my definition of love, modern love is surely possible, if only exceedingly rare.
ReplyDeleteJean-Luc Godard's Breathless presents love in the modern world as increasingly distant, less pleasant, and more complicated. The film shares this interpretation while following the relationship between Michel Poiccard and Patricia Franchini. For much of the film, the two approach this relationship from a distance. Patricia does not know if she wants to be with Michel, she avoids his advances and spends time with her editor as well. She goes to the interview with the director and through the questions asked by other reporters about love and relationships, tries to put it in context for her own life. Michel also approaches from a similar distance, having slept with many women beforehand and doesn't act committed to Patricia. The two of them are truly in love though. Michel feels differently about Patricia compared to other women in his life. He decides to stay with Patricia through to the end instead of fleeing to Rome with Antonio or any time before, despite the fact that it was what led to his death at the hands of the police. Patricia spends the whole film trying to figure out if she is truly in love with Michel and in the end, she realizes that she truly is, chasing after him down the alley, but she was too late. According to the film, love does not necessarily come with happiness. Michel and Patricia want to be with each other, but that isn't what is best for them. Patricia didn't want to be part of a life as dangerous as Michels. Both of them want to be together but neither of them end up getting what they want out of the relationship and Michel ends up dead and Patricia ends up with a dead boyfriend.
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ReplyDelete"Breathless”, is often considered a hallmark of French New Wave cinema and a significant work in the realm of film history. While it's celebrated for its innovative filmmaking techniques and its portrayal of a rebellious and carefree lifestyle, it also presents complex themes regarding relationships and societal norms. The portrayal of love in "Breathless" is separate from what might be termed "modern love." Rather than depicting deep emotional connections or mutual respect between characters, the film often focuses on superficial interactions and the objectification of women. The main character, Michel, engages in a series of fleeting and often shallow relationships, driven more by desire and impulse than genuine affection. Throughout the film, there are instances where women are objectified and sexualized by male characters. This is shown in the way men make comments and gestures towards women that reduce them to mere objects of desire. There is a scene where Michel lifts a girl's skirt as a comedic gesture, highlighting the normalization of such behavior and reflecting the underlying attitudes towards women during that time period. In conclusion, "Breathless" is widely regarded as a seminal piece of French New Wave filmmaking and an important piece of cinematic history. It portrays a rebellious and carefree lifestyle and is praised for its inventive filming methods, but it also deals with difficult issues of relationships and social conventions.