Bleecker Street has released a new trailer for the upcoming drama Breathe, which marks the directorial debut of Andy Serkis. Based on a true story, the film stars Andrew Garfield as Robin Cavendish, a young man who in 1958 contracted polio and became paralyzed from the neck down, requiring a respirator to breathe. At the time, mobility for patients on a respirator was non-existent, and we watch as Cavendish struggles to live through his new condition and as his wife, played by Claire Foy, pushes him to adapt and innovate according to his new situation.
The choice of material is a curious one for Serkis with which to make his directorial debut, but I caught the film at TIFF (read my review here) and it is a handsomely crafted tearjerker. Working with cinematographer Robert Richardson, Serkis conjures some truly gorgeous imagery and does a swell job handling the great performances from Garfield and Foy. My major issue with the film came down to the story, as it was almost too nice to the point that the film lacked dramatic stakes. The Cavendishes, as portrayed in the film, are almost always cheerful and upbeat—which is certainly a neat thing, but in the context of a film it becomes a bit monotonous.
Regardless, Breathe is definitely worth checking out for the performances and Serkis’ work behind the camera, and you may find it works better for you than it did for me. Check out the new trailer below. Tom Hollander and Hugh Bonneville also star. Breathe opens in theaters on October 13th.
Here’s the official synopsis for Breathe:
For his directorial debut, Andy Serkis brings to life the inspiring true love story between Robin and Diana Cavendish (Academy Award® nominee Andrew Garfield, Golden Globe® winner Claire Foy), an adventurous couple who refuse to give up in the face of a devastating disease. After a fairytale-like courtship, Robin is struck down by polio at the age of 28, confined to a hospital bed and given only a few months to live. With the help of Diana’s twin brothers (Tom Hollander) and the groundbreaking ideas of inventor Teddy Hall (Hugh Bonneville), Robin and Diana dare to escape the hospital ward to seek out a full and passionate life together — raising their young son, traveling and devoting their lives to helping other polio patients. Written by two-time Academy Award nominated writer William Nicholson, and shot by three-time Academy Award winner Robert Richardson, Breathe is a heartwarming celebration of love and human possibility.
