Plot: What’s it about?
Lorna (Gina Gershon) lives in a small Texas town with her husband Dale (Val Kilmer), a small time thief. But Dale’s latest score is a substantial one, with one hundred grand stolen from a local bank. As it happens, she thinks Dale has no plans to share this new wealth with her, which pushes her over the brink. She decides to take the money for herself, sharing it with her best friend Tiny (Kelli Giddish) and starting new lives for themselves. Of course, Dale also has a plan to run with the cash and since he has hidden the loot, the ladies will have to track it down. So now the friends must locate the cash, get Dale out of the picture, and escape to a better life without unwanted attention. But soon enough, some unwanted attention finds them. The local sheriff (Ray Liotta) starts to get involved, trying to see what Dale has been up to. Can Lorna and Tiny get a hold of the stash and start new lives, or will they simply wind up behind bars?
This film boasts a solid cast and I am a fan of dark comedies, so I wanted to give Breathless a chance. I found it to be a solid watch, though not a pitch black comedy as the case promised. Breathless doesn’t have super dark humor at all, at least not to the point where it stands out as dark. Gina Gershon is quite good in the lead, with great interaction between her and costar Kelli Giddish. The two needed a believable bond and they were able to deliver, which really helps the film. The friendship they have here is quirky and fun to watch in action, so the performances are rock solid. Ray Liotta and Val Kilmer have interesting roles, but not a lot is done with them, since the focus is on the female leads. The violence isn’t graphic and while the tone isn’t slapstick, this isn’t a twist filled, dark experience. But Breathless is still a fun movie at times and with enjoyable performances across the board, the film earns a solid recommendation.
Video: How does it look?
Breathless is presented in 2.35:1 widescreen. This transfer looks terrific, with above average detail and no glaring concerns. I found depth to be quite good, with remarkable detail in some scenes. The colors are bright and warm, fitting the visual design, while contrast is even and consistent. So perhaps not an elite level presentation, but Breathless offers a fine HD experience that should please all viewers.
Audio: How does it sound?
The included Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack is fine, but not memorable. The film’s sound design is basic, so the surrounds aren’t tasked to do all that much. The film takes place mostly in one room, so there isn’t much action or depth. The focus remains on dialogue and since vocals are clear, I have no complaints there. The track isn’t going to stand out as a reference soundtrack, but the movie’s needs are all handled. This release also includes English and Spanish subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
In addition to a DVD version of the film, the extras include audio comments from two crew members and a behind the scenes featurette.
