4K UHD Review – Breathless (1983)

Co-writers L.M. Kit Carson and Jim McBride (who also directs) endeavor to transform the ways of Jean-Luc Godard’s classic, “Breathless,” pulling it out of 1960 and into the 1980s with a rascally rock and roll spirit. The screenplay is after heat and impulsiveness, turning to the star of the year, Richard Gere (fresh off hits “American Gigolo” and “An Officer and a Gentleman”), to provide a nuclear-powered performance that captures pure recklessness and limited intellect, following the low impulse control of the main character as he seeks love and excitement. Gere is certainly invested in the part, presenting a wild take on sexiness that’s completely out of his range, but he commits, joining co-star Valerie Kaprisky on a screen adventure meant to drip with lust, danger, and fiery emotional entanglements. The concept of the updated “Breathless” is understood, but McBride’s execution is up for debate, mixing the rising threat of the story with two incredibly underwhelming performances that fail to support the electricity the helmer is attempting to conjure. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com