I think it was some time in the late 80's when films started to become predictable. This version of Breathless in 1983 had a couple thing going for it - Richard Gere as he rose to fame and that is was a remake of a classic film. The writer of this film took some really big chances. We're suppose to root for a cop killer, street thug and womanizer? Yup and we do because the film works. It's not preaching morality like all films seem to do, it takes risks. My favorite seen of the film is towards the end where they go to underground dance party and end up in the loft of a movie theatre playing the classic 1940's film noir. The ending is a classic to - it's all or nothing with this film.

At the time "Breathless" was released in 1983, a critic claimed that Richard Gere's deliberate overacting supported the stylised fantasy elements of the movie. Really? I suspect that he was simply surprised by the self-indulgence of the performance, especially when compared with films such as "Days of Heaven", "An Officer and a Gentleman" and even "American Gigolo" – all made before "Breathless"."Breathless" was a remake of Jean Luc Godard's "A Bout De Soufflé" The success of that movie had a lot to do with timing, and forces that were working through society at the beginning of the 1960's. Godard's movie launched French Cinema's influential new wave, which also had an impact on Hollywood.The remake came 20 years later, and unlike Godard's version was no longer timely nor an antidote to the predictability of contemporary film.Richard Gere's character, Jesse Lujack, a petty hustler and car thief, accidentally kills a policeman and goes on the run with his French girlfriend Monica, played by Valérie Kaprisky. Unaware of Jesse's criminal activity, she is attracted to his wildness and the aura of danger he projects.Jesse Lujack as rendered by Gere is arrogant, self-centred, stupid and narcissistic; he has few redeeming traits. Whether it's gyrating to Jerry Lee Lewis while he drives yet another hot-wired automobile or practicing his quick draw with the remote while changing TV channels, extra bits of business are thrown into just about every scene.Although the film has strong production values, there are lapses in logic that are so silly they would probably get laughs if they had been in "The Naked Gun". Near the end, Jesse runs through the streets with his shirt unbuttoned to the navel, clearly revealing the distinctive tattoo on his breast that is the key feature of the police description that has just been broadcast. His checked pants don't help him melt into the crowd all that well either.In "White Heat", James Cagney created a memorable finale, surrounded by police on top of a burning fuel tank. In "Breathless", Richard Gere goes him one better when he disco dances – in those checked pants no less – as police close in from all sides. It is so over-the-top that it almost defies description.Valérie Kaprisky had to work hard to be noticed in this movie. That she does is because of the contrast between her low-key delivery and Gere's attention seeking hyperactivity.It appears that Richard Gere's performance in "Breathless" was a one off. From then on, if there was a trait that typified a Richard Gere performance, surely it was restraint. Look at him in films as diverse as, "Pretty Woman", "Internal Affairs", and "Shall We Dance?" Not only is he controlled but he also underplays to great effect. Maybe with "Breathless" he just needed to get something out of his system.

Director Jim McBride does manage to create a fairly amusing film based on the classic, highly regarded French film that inspired him to become a director in the first place - Jean-Luc Godards' "Breathless".The story set up is basically the same, as Richard Gere, in one of his most electric film performances, plays Jesse Lujack, an arrogant, authority defying punk, who in his attempt to get to L.A. quickly from Las Vegas, steals a car and accidentally shoots a cop (who later dies). However, this film has more to do with his energetic pursuit of the love of his life, French student Monica Poiccard (Valerie Kaprisky), than anything else.Incidentally, one can see how Geres' performance may affect ones' feelings about the film. It is an acquired taste, as is the character of Jesse, who's a big fan of Jerry Lee Lewis music and Silver Surfer comics. You also wish he'd shut the hell up about going to Mexico. But there's no denying the actors' conviction in playing this person. The stunning 19 year old Kaprisky remains a prime visual attraction, and both she and Gere do get nude for the film.McBride does give the film a decent amount of flash, and populates the story (he co-wrote the screenplay with L.M. Kit Carson) with striking faces and striking characters. A rich cast includes such people as John P. Ryan, as a hard driving detective, film director and designer Eugene Lourie as an architect, playwright Miguel Pinero as Carlito, James Hong as a grocer, Waldemar Kalinowski, also a production designer (and occasional actor), and Art Metrano as a criminal lowlife. The city of L.A. becomes a character in its own right, with much of the film shot on location rather than on any sort of set.The soundtrack is eclectic, with the expected usage of Jerry Lee tunes and a rocking end credits cover by X.This won't be for everybody, and it does admittedly go on longer than it should. It's at its best when it focuses on Monica; Kaprisky is definitely a grounding force for the story. Kaprisky remains compulsively watchable throughout.All in all, this is engaging in spurts, and it has enough style, sex appeal, and humour to make it a decent viewing experience.Six out of 10.

I watched this film many years ago but had pretty much forgotten about it until film critic Mark Kermode; who usually dislikes English language remakes of foreign films, selected it to launch his on line film club and stated that he thought it improved on the original. I have yet to see the original but on the strength of the recommendation I decided to watch this again.The story follows Jesse Lujack from the time he steals a Porsche in Las Vegas with the intention of driving to Los Angeles. Things start to go wrong for him when he finds a gun in the car's glove compartment then crashes after being pulled over by the police. He picks up the gun and accidentally fires leaving the cop mortally wounded. Somehow he gets to LA and goes to see a contact to get his money; he is only given a cheque though; he will have to hang around in LA for a couple of days to get cash. He then meets up with Monica, a French student, who he had a brief fling with when she visited Vegas. The rest of the film is spent with him trying to get his hands on some money, trying to persuade Monica to come with him to Mexico and avoiding getting arrested for the killing of the Highway Patrol officer.Richard Gere does a fine job as Jesse; a small time criminal with a passion for the comic book character The Silver Surfer and the music of Jerry Lee Lewis; both of which feature heavily in the film. The character is essentially immature and self-centred but Gere manages to make him likable which is needed if we are to believe that Monica would consider giving up a potentially successful career as an architect to go to Mexico with Jesse. Valérie Kaprisky is charming as Monica although at times I was uncertain whether she was being a bit wooden or doing a good job playing a character who was conversing in her second language; either way she looked lovely; I can see why Jesse wanted her to come with him when he fled to Mexico.Director Jim McBride did a great job bringing the story to the screen; I loved the slightly unreal comic book look to the colours in some scenes and the obvious back projection in many of the driving scenes. The story was fun to watch with some tense moments as well as a couple of genuinely hilarious scenes... the moment where Jesse interrupted Monica's exam was priceless as was the time the door fell of the shower as the two of them had sex inside.I was surprised to find that this film had been reclassified '15' by the BBFC; and even more surprised to learn that it is now uncut whereas the original '18' certificate had almost half a minute trimmed from it! If you have the '18' version you are only missing out on seeing Jesse hotwire a car and breaking into Monica's apartment.Now I just have to watch 'A Bout de Soufflé' to find out which is really the better film!