Film Review: "Breathe in"
A sense of trepidation washed over me as I sat in the pre Edinburgh screening for “Breath In”. From a disparate knowledge of the directors past successes, the lackadaisical role call for Guy Pierces recent celluloid appearances and the fact I was only given one glass of complimentary wine. But all this pressure was for naught, abating 60 seconds into the pre-credits scene because what I was witness to so far, on screen, was a tour de force in independent cinema. One daren’t breath out least you blow away the subtly world being crafted in front of you.
The story the “Breathe In” is deceptively simple, on paper
reading as a conventional ‘Family Melodrama’ but this deceptively clear model
has allowed for the cast and crew to shine. Keith (Guy Pearce), a high-school
music teacher and family man lives with Megan his wife (Amy Ryan) and daughter
Wendy (Mackenzie Davis) in green belt Westchester County, New York, still
nurtures his dream of a life devoted to music. His bohemian ideals and his sense
of being trapped by choices he didn’t feel he had a hand in, are inflamed by
the sudden arrival of Sophie (Felicity Jones), an exchange student from the UK,
whose personal maturity and exceptional talent as a pianist set her apart from
her classmates and drive her and Keith closer and closer together.
The film was directed by Drake Doremus, who co-wrote it with Ben York Jones. This is the second film; the previous feature “Like Crazy” was released back in 2011 to high praise; winning him the an award at Sundance. Though, “Breathe In” and “Like Crazy” share a similar theme, an outsider who disrupts the norm; awakening a passion that is seemingly doomed by the fates themselves.
Guy Pearce breaks from his rut of support actor, almost passively floating between films that would have him; and shines with this mastery of understated tension from the ‘get go’. Managing to portray his characters disillusionment in suburban security with the passion he has for a previous life of music. Felicity Jones plays the role close to her chest, setting an air of mystery and outsider anguish atop the usual teenager existential crisis. The connection the two attain is palpable as it stems not from physical attraction but to two like minded souls at different ends of the same journey.
Amy Ryan and Mackenzie Davis, though both imbue their characters with emotion and pathos; they are unfortunately sometimes relegated on screen to virtual catalysts to the focus of Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce’s journey.
Shot in a natural light and on steady cam, which works well in underpinning emotional captured moment aesthetic. Along with the classical piano/orchestral score, used sparingly it complements the scenes it is woven into; not forcing an emotion but harmonising with the visuals captured. Music is more than a narrative motivator, but becomes the heartbeat of the film.
Steeped in the independent oeuvre, this dark tale of identity and passion is brimming over with confidence. Confidence in vision, solid acting from seasoned and burgeoning actors; along with a soundtrack that will leave you searching the word “concerto” in ITunes not five minutes after the credits role. If this film is one of the foundation stones in director Drake Doremus career; the cityscape he builds will be a daring reflection of modern life.
