Breathe (I) (2017) User Reviews (98)

A beautiful story about true love!

[DawnOfCreation · 8/10 · 21 June 2018]

English isn't my native language, so forgive me in advance:)

I loved this movie. I was impressed by the acting skills of Andrew Garfield, totally believable. Claire Foy did a great job too, I think she's a very good actress, I have to admit that at times I found it difficult to not see Queen Elisabeth in her.

The story line was a bit rushed though, their relationship didn't really develop on the screen and for me it was hard to believe she really loved him in the very beginning of the film. But towards the end it was totally believable. One thing I missed was a great score, the music was almost absent, they should have asked Rachel Portman for the soundtrack (Never Let Me Go). But hey, that's just my opinion.

I shed some tears at the end.. It's a story about true love! Go watch it, you won't regret it!

Inspiring story nicely presented

[Lugo1989 · 7/10 · 18 December 2017]

Breathe is an inspiring and heartwarming story about a man diagnosed with the disease that forever changed his life and the lives of people around him. It is impossible to imagine being trapped in your own body and still somehow stay positive, motivated and change the lives of the people who are equally unfortunate..

Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield did a great job, as well as the supporting cast. The film could maybe have a bigger emotional impact and leave viewers with a bit more after watching it. Breathe is still a solid film with nice photography, pace and the story itself.

Recommended to everyone who like drama film, love stories and films about the triumph of the human spirit.

Wish they made more spouses like that more often

[phd_travel · 8/10 · 20 January 2018]

This is a beautifully filmed movie. It's inspiring to watch the devotion of the wife in supporting her husband struck down with polio at age 28. His subsequent efforts to live outside the hospital and advances in a wheelchair with a ventilator attached are quite illuminating. Especially with what happened to Christopher Reeve it is still relevant today. This movie doesn't focus too much on the awful side which is good or it would be too depressing.

The leads are watchable. Claire Foy QE2 of the Crown speaks and acts a lot like she does as Queen Elizabeth. Andrew Garfield isn't one to shy away from difficult roles. Here he speaks with his British accent.

It's a good thing to be reminded about Polio amidst the recent debate whether or no to vaccinate.

Seemingly a bio pic of a pioneer for the disabled.

[TxMike · 12 April 2018]

My wife and I watched this at home on DVD from our public library.

Andrew Garfield is really excellent in the part of Robin Cavendish who in 1958, at the age of 28, contracted polio while in Kenya on business. I remember polio well, I was a boy in the 1950s and I remember taking the Salk vaccine. It is a devastating illness, it usually causes paralysis which is not reversible. Typically polio victims were given a few months to live and were kept hospitalized, on a ventilator, unable to breathe on their own.

After about a year Robin began to ask why he couldn't be moved to his home and kept on a ventilator there. Eventually he was and with the help of a friend had devices built, with battery operated ventilators, that would allow him initially to go outdoors then to even take trips. And devices which operated by slight movements of his head.

The meat of this movie is what he accomplished after he left the hospital, particularly how he helped open up development of batter ways to care for those with similar afflictions.

He eventually died in 1994, about 35 years after contracting polio. It is implied though not stated in the movie that he chose his time of death by having a doctor administer a medicine so that his ventilator could be unplugged and he could died peacefully and painlessly.

Good tribute to a pioneer

[bbewnylorac · 7/10 · 2 September 2021]

The story of Robin Cavendish, paralysed by polio as a young man, deserves to be told.

The cinematography in Africa, Spain and England is stunning, and the costumes and sets are perfectly portrayed - from the 1950s to the 1990s You get the sense of how amazingly brave Robin's wife, Diana Cavendish, was.

With a baby, stuck in Kenya and a husband suddenly a quadriplegic and breathing on a ventilator, instead of collapsing, she pushed for Robin to be repatriated to England and released from hospital into her care at home.

The couple proceed to smash expectations of Robin's quality of life, holding parties, taking overseas holidays, and campaigning to change prejudices and improve the lives of the severely disabled, who up till then had been shut away, out of view, and treated as vegetables.

The acting is great and the script bubbles along well. Diana's eccentric twin brothers provide comic relief.

One of the quibbles I have is, how did Robin afford to apparently live in such comfort, and to travel so much?

It's hinted, but not really explained, that his family is well-off and well connected.

The flip side is that you wonder about how poor people in Robin's position cope.

Not saying he had it easy, but he was lucky to have access to more comforts and options than most.

Also, the movie, produced by Robin's son Jonathan, I think tries to be perhaps too jokey at times - in the vein of The Durrells.

Maybe that was necessary, because Cavendish's life was so bleak a lot of the time.

Love can conquer all

[SusanShop · 10/10 · 15 November 2017]

Saw this film last night without reading any previously written reviews, and I thought it absolutely outstanding. The devotion that Robin and Diana had for each other, encountering such a life altering event only one year into a marriage would likely destroy most marriages. Addressing the ignorance and lack of empathy from the medical community must have been a real slog, and it is to their credit that such amazing inroads were made to better the lives of polio victims and other disabled persons. While the world has become a better place for those "outside the norm", there is still so much yet to be done. The cast and Jonathan Cavendish should win all the BAFTAs and Oscars possible. This film gave me hope that we can all be better than we are.

Choosing to live life

[maccas-56367 · 7/10 · 25 January 2019]

This film has a simple, yet heartfelt message: choosing to live life.

It could've easily been a film to completely sweep up during awards season, but ultimately falls short. It's good, albeit emotionally manipulative and lacking "something".

It's not lacking strong performances though, with Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield delivering some of their best work. At first, it felt a bit slow and seemingly lacked much character development. But I'm glad I persisted with it, as it definitely picked up and was a rewarding experience in the end.

While polio has changed since those times, it's clear the health authorities reluctance to think outside the box in regards to treatment of certain illnesses hasn't.

I loved seeing what Robin Cavendish did for people with disabilities (including his mates in hospital depicted here). The "mishap" in Spain which turned into a party was great also - had to admire his relaxed, "so be it" relaxed manner towards catastrophically stressful situations.

I'd recommend it for Andrew Garfield fans and those wanting to watch a "different" kind of romance film.

Oscar winning material 9/10

[Padreviews · 9/10 · 3 November 2017]

Not perfect but pretty damn close to perfection .

I've said it before the best films are based on real events . Andy Garfield deserves the best actor Oscar . This one will make you laugh , cry and smile .

One man's fight for survival against the odds with the loving support of his wife and son who incidentally produced the film .

Excellent casting , acting and directing by Serkis . Beautiful photography a film that ought to be depressing was actually somewhat uplifting and you'll want to see it again and look up the real story .

A British cinematic masterpiece worthy of an Oscar nomination.

Pad.A 9/10

Vaccinate your kids.

[MEMangan · 7/10 · 13 May 2019]

I know this is supposed to be a heartwarming and inspirational film about overcoming adversity. But enough of the romanticizing of polio. In the glorious Kenyan sunset.

It was well told, it was effective. It was an important story about shaking up the treatment of people with disability.

But I could barely breathe as I think about people who are rejecting science and technology today.

Vaccinate your kids.

an inspiring story of unconditional love

[CineMuseFilms · 8/10 · 8 January 2018]

The winner of the 2017 Heavy-Duty Tissues Award can now be announced. The beautifully produced British film Breathe (2017) is an inspirational bio-pic based on the short life of Robin Cavendish who was the longest survivor of polio in the pre-vaccination era. That description does little to prepare viewers for what is a multi-layered period drama, with themes about assisted dying, disability rights, medical innovation, personal triumph over adversity, and the all-conquering power of a woman's love. Amongst all of this are several good cries.

Set in the 1950s, Robin Cavendish (Andrew Garfield), a dashing young tea-broker, met the love of his life Diana (Claire Foy) at a cricket game. Before long, they are courting, married, and set for an idyllic yet modest life together until Robin is struck down by the paralysis of polio. At the time, the only prognosis was a short life tied to a hospital respirator. For the active Robin death was preferable to being tethered to an artificial lung, but Diana would have none of it. Close friend and inventor Teddy Hall (Hugh Bonneville) pioneered a wheel-chair with a battery powered respirator that freed Robin from a life inside hospital, despite advice that he would not survive outside for more than two weeks. The story traces their adventurous lives together, including a trip to Africa and a disability conference in Germany. Perhaps the film's most disturbing image is a German hospital where polio victims are laid out in morgue-like boxes, kept alive only by mechanical respirators.

It is impossible to imagine this film being bearable without Andrew Garfield's extraordinary performance, supported by Claire Foy in the equally demanding role of his wife. Garfield possesses one of cinema's most expressive faces which he deploys to full effect as the mostly prostrated polio patient who can only speak a short sentence at a time between breaths. From the depths of wanting to die to the joyful heights of feeling his baby son's skin against his face, Garfield communicates in a facial sign language that says more than the words of fine orators. Some viewers will fairly believe that Claire Foy is the film's real star. Where Garfield is an emotional roller coaster, Foy is a powerhouse of defiant strength who refuses to surrender to polio or to her husband's wish to die. If the film can be faulted, it may be in its polite sanitisation of what it means to depend on others for every bodily function.

This story is more about unconditional love than heroism. Robin was surrounded by caring and talented friends, including the inventor of the respirator wheelchair that gave him freedom. Most importantly, he had a wife whose stubborn loyalty forced him to push on where others may have given up. Robin became a high-profile disability spokesman because fate gave him the opportunity to advocate for others. This warm-hearted story illuminates a little-known episode of history that has been consigned to the archives of medical science. Take extra tissues, but you will leave feeling inspired.

A light hearted drama that required a much better packaging.

[amitkoikkarah · 6/10 · 5 December 2017]

As Robin Cavendish clamors repeatedly that he wants to die after feeling stifled living in a Hospital, it takes much persuasion from his wife Diana to think the other way round. Here is a man who wants to see and cherish the outside world and his incapacity to do that makes him shun from the very existence of it.

The movie "Breathe" transports you to a period where the severely disabled and in this context from the malignant polio are restrained from the rest of the society and how they spend the rest of their lives in the hospitals, even though they ache for Freedom. Robin decided to embark on freedom and this movie is an ode to his attempt to integrate into society despite his breathing difficulty, for which he uses an electric breathing tube. Robin aided by his good friend Teddy and his supportive wife Diana and son Jonathan finally manage to live the dream. Though the climax is a bit of an aberrant, but since the real life Jonathan Cavendish financed the movie and initiated the screenplay on his fathers' life, the events in the climax should be true.

Andy Serkis in his directorial debut offers a decent movie with the focus mostly on Robin's life during the polio crisis. There is nothing extra-ordinary about his directing, but he manages to deliver a sensitive topic with charm and light humor, though these kind of movies require much more coherent drama and I found that lacking. The actors have a good job with the pick being Andrew Garfield, who continues to dwell in different characters and his portrayal of Robin is definitely note-worthy. Claire Foy, has a decent chemistry with Garfield, but compared to her titular role in the Crown, this seems kind of a cake walk. The rest of the cast including Tom Hollander,Hugh Bonneville and Jonathan Hyde play the parts with what the characters demand.

The light hearted nature of plot is indeed a drawback as this movie somehow lacks the strong punch. The romantic portions between Robin and Diana is nothing extraordinary even in presentation and seems quite a cliché. Yes, the intent of the movie was not the romance, but even that somehow feels fizzled out.

Overall, Breathe is a decent movie owing to the actors and less with the screenplay. Its worth a watch, however I personally believe the tale of Robin Cavendish needed a more packed and stronger plot. Considering the movie Wonder that had so many beautiful moments, this one kind of fails in that.

Breathe: a British top-notch Production.

[niutta-enrico · 8/10 · 2 January 2018]

If I may give an advice to you, don't read anything about this film. Just watch it: the less you know, the more you'll be wonderfully surprised.

Perhaps all you'd like to know is that it's a British top-notch production, based on a really interesting (true) story, with a flawless script and an excellent cast. A very entertaining 112 minutes.

And yes: Tom Hollander is playing the Blacker twins. Both of them. And they sing together 'Goodbye-ee'.

Enjoy.

Breathe

[henry8-3 · 7/10 · 15 December 2018]

The true story of Robin Cavendish, paralysed with polio at 28, who with the support of his wife and friends helped rewrite the book both on how polio victims can live fuller lives but also how they are seen in society

Serkis is in the directir's chair for the first time and with fine performances by both the leads and a strong supporting cast, he ensures this doesn't drown in a sea of goo, but keeps everything moving but great fun. Be warned though the final act makes for a hard watch

A strong feel good movie.

INSPIRATIONAL

[writevjnow-IMDB · 3/10 · 24 April 2018]

An inspirational story about Robert Cavendish who became ill with polio in 1958 at the age of 28. His life could have been so very different without the support of his wife of 2 years, Diana, without the desire to live to see his son, Jonathan, grow up, and without the genius of Professor Teddy Hall of Oxford University who devised the contraptions which gave Robert, who was quadraplegic, some kind of life. Certainly, back in the 60s, those like Robert were spending what few years they had left flat on their backs in hospitals, on ventilators, no more than prisoners of institutions and their own bodies. Much is said about Cavendish's pioneering approach to survival, his fortitude and willingness to do and maybe die, but I would like to have seen a little more focus on Teddy Hall because without that man's ingenuity, Robert Cavendish and thousands of people in the same or similar situation back then might have led very different existences. This is directorial debut of Andy Serkis and he is to be congratulated for it. He has another in the pipeline, Mowgli, a version of Jungle Book following closely on the heels of Jungle Book (2016). The casting of Breathe was superb and I was seriously impressed by Andrew Garfield's performance. Loved Hugh Bonneville as Teddy Hall. The story is loaded with emotional scenes which range from highly hilarious to downright sad. It might be a bit of a tear-jerker at times but it is very much worth watching at least once, or twice. Interestingly, I read an article which said that Professor Christopher Cooper of the University of California believes Stephen Hawking had polio rather than motor neuron disease.

Well-made and life-affirming

[rogerdarlington · 6 November 2017]

Breathing is the most natural thing on earth, right? But when British tea broker Robin Cavendish contracted polio in Kenya in 1958, he found that he was paralysed from the neck down and could not breathe without the constant support of a mechanical ventilator. This true story is told with Andrew Garfield as Robin and Claire Foy as his wife Diana, both of whom give fine performances of nuanced emotion.

Inevitably the film will be compared with "The Theory Of Everything" but it is no bad thing to be reminded that people with disabilities can achieve remarkable things. In Stephen Hawking's case, he was still able to make great contributions to theoretical physics; in the instance of Robin Cavendish, he transformed the treatment of those with paralysis, both in the UK and much wider.

For first time director Andy Serkis, this is clearly a very personal project. His professional partner and producer on the film is Jonathan Cavendish, the son of Robin and Diana, while Serkis's sister has multiple sclerosis. Serkis is known for his acclaimed acting in performance-capture roles, but the only major use of special effects here is to enable Tom Hollander to represent both of Diana's identical twin brothers.

At the end especially, the heart strings are well and truly plucked, but it is gratifying to see such a well-made and life-affirming work on our screens.

Interesting Entertaining Film

[tm-sheehan · 7/10 · 30 January 2018]

An interesting movie - another movie based on a true story Andrew Garfield gives a great performance as Andrew Cavendish a polio victim who would rather die than exist in an iron lung so commissions his friend to invent a wheelchair with a respirator, which changes the lives of millions of polio sufferers as handicapped people.

A love story also with Claire Foy playing his devoted wife Diana , a little contrived and over saccharine at times but very entertaining.

Odd music soundtrack with songs that made it seem as though they couldn't afford an original composer.

Sensitive portrayal of a true story

[Figgy66-915-598470 · 9/10 · 30 October 2017]

30 October 2017 Second Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - Breathe. Starring the very talented Andrew Garfield this is the true story of Robin Cavendish who contracted polio in Africa in 1958. Paralysed from the neck down and only remaining alive because he was attached to a respirator he fell into a depression and wished to be allowed to die. With the aid of his wife Diana (played by Claire Foy) who absolutely refused to give up on him, he left the hospital and managed to live a life which enabled him to be at home with his family and watch his son grow up. Not content to stay at home he enlisted the help of a talented inventor friend (Hugh Bonneville) to help him become more mobile and this enabled him to travel and to show other polio patients that there could be life outside their hospital beds. Films based on true stories are almost always touching and emotional and this was no exception. An absolutely astounding piece of acting from Andrew Garfield, who for 80% of the film could only give us the character of Robin by moving his eyes, eyebrows, nose and mouth, yet he portrayed this character with sensitivity and compassion without coming across as too sentimental. Andy Serkis made his directorial debut on this film , and it was co produced by Jonathan Cavendish, son of Robin and Diana.

Entertaining and interesting

[tm-sheehan · 7/10 · 25 January 2018]

Interesting movie - another movie based on a true story Andrew Garfield gives a great performance as Andrew Cavendish a polio victim who would rather die than exist in an iron lung so commissions his friend to invent a wheelchair with a respirator, which changes the lives of millions of polio sufferers as handicapped people.

A love story also with Claire Foy playing his devoted wife Diana , a little contrived and over saccharine at times but very entertaining.

Odd music soundtrack it seemed as though they couldn't afford an original composer.

Heart warming, sad, beautifully made.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 26 October 2017]

Breathe has to be one of the most touching films I've seen in a while, you'd be hard hearted if you weren't moved close to tears as you see the life of Robin Cavendish fall apart, and that of the family around him. You also see the triumph of the human heart, how everything is done to get him home. Having had a grandmother who was inflicted with polio and disabled it brought a tear to my eye to remember, and think how easy a disease polio was and sadly still is to contract.

Andrew Garfield gives a wonderful performance, as does Claire Foy. It would surprise me if there weren't BAFTA nominations. The biggest surprise for me was seeing the name of Andy Serkis, who made his directorial debut, I would have expected him to be associated with someone slightly more unusual, but it's a promising start to that side of his career. If I had one criticism it would be that the film was perhaps too long, it did lull a bit in the middle.

If you're going in expecting something light hearted, then don't go, as it will have you in tears, if you're expecting a gritty, true to life story of overcoming adversity, then this is one film I'd recommend. 8/10

Unconditional love

[hampe-1 · 7/10 · 18 October 2020]

This is a true story about a couple who loved each other in the way we often only see in movies or fairytales. A man who is destined to die in polio is living on and changing lives for others with similar conditions thanks to a woman who refused to see him give up on his life. This is a love story more than an actual retelling of their lives I think. If it's really how it was she is among the most loving humans I have seen or heard of, she's a saint. That's a refreshing thougt in these days. It was probably a lot harder in real life for the family than the movie is showing. But I think it's ok not too go to deep in to the gritty details in this case. In the end it's a great movie about a couple who refused to accept what everyone said and made a change not only for themself but for many, many more people to come.

A truly remarkable story, well scripted and performed

[nancyldraper · 8/10 · 24 May 2019]

A truly remarkable story, well scripted and performed, is based on the life of Robin and Diana Cavendish and produced by their son, Jonathan. Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield lead a great supporting cast. Great themes about life, death, love, faithfulness, the courage it takes to live and the tenacity of love that pushes the boundaries of courage and creativity. I heartily recommend it to you. I give this film an 8 (great) out of 10. {Drama}

Well Made But Depressing and Oddly Cold

[handsome_devastation · 6/10 · 24 October 2017]

Well acted, gorgeously photographed and competently directed, this depressing true tale is oddly cold and sterile. Garfield and Foy are excellent but the end result is sadly forgettable. The great Diana Rigg shows up in a why bother 3 minutes or less cameo. Good intentions on the filmmakers part and a fascinating true story make for a film lacking emotional impact.

Amazing Film (No Spoilers)

[dishlady69 · 10/10 · 2 March 2018]

A true rendition of the circumstances and ignorant assumptions/roadblocks against which the disabled community are constantly fighting.

The main characters fight diligently past public opinion to break precedent in unbelievable ways (given the time period and technological restrictions).

No Spoilers. Highly recommended.

Breathe: An inspirational true story

[brankovranjkovic · 7/10 · 1 November 2017]

Produced by BBC Films & B.F.I. - This is the directional debut from Andy Serkis (better known for Gollum), this is starting to sound like a real treat. Based on the true story of Robin Cavendish, who contracts polio at age 28 years and is paralysed from the neck down.

*** Weepie alert *** He is confined to his hospital bed with no hope for any real quality of life. Under these circumstances with no prospect for improvement Robin mouths the words "I want to die". This devastating disability comes soon after he gets married and after learning that his wife is pregnant.

His devoted wife continues to be very supportive and demonstrates the unconditional love she has for him. Soon his wife's desire is to get Robin out and back home to give him as normal a life as possible.

Fortunately Robin had many bright and capable friends, one of which invents a wheelchair that incorporates a portable respirator. The film then show Robin slowly getting to know his young son and the family even manages a trip to Spain.

** Weepie alert *** Over time Robin becomes a campaigner for the disabled, he travels to Germany where we see row upon row of severely disabled people on respirators in a warehouse type environment. He demonstrates how his disability hadn't stopped him from living a life and how others could do the same.

With help he develops his chair further and puts it into production.

You can see why this film has been compared with 'The Theory of Everything' and why it looks like a film designed to bid for 'Best Actor / Actress' or 'Best Cinematography' Oscars.

Stay in your seats to see some actual vintage cine film of the Cavendish's while the end credits are rolling up.

Waiting, Waiting, Wondering What to Make of This

[mekjd · 5/10 · 17 September 2018]

One of my favorite actors and one of my favorite actresses, together, in love, lasting love that outdistances tragedy. What could go wrong? Why am I just tired, and feeling guilty that I was not inspired. I do not know. There was just something about the entire movie that said, "look-we-are-perfectly-healthy-people-pretending-that-paralysis-is-no-big-thing-because-love." And I said, inside myself, no dice.