Things to Watch For in Breathless

The following are some things to watch for as you view A bout de souffle a second time:

• Note the unconventional opening. No establishing shot or shot of the main character. So right off the bat Godard tells us he won't be using the usual film grammar.
  
  
• Note the use of jump cuts to break conventional film continuity.
  
  
• Note the use of handheld cameras, the amount of close-ups, and the long takes.
  
  
• Also note the Griffith-esque iris in and iris out shots.
  
• Note how film plays an important role in this film. For example, who is Michel imitating when he rubs his upper lip in his characteristic gesture throughout the film?
  
  
• Note how Michel breaks the fourth wall by directly addressing the camera/audience.
  
  
• Note Michel's rule for driving.
  
  
• Note the line on the movie poster sign--live dangerously until the end.
  
  
• Note how when Patricia loses her tail by escaping through the restroom window, we hear the gunshots from the Western she and Michel will see in the next scene before the current escape scene is over, i.e., as her tail comes outside looking for her.
  
  
• Note Michel's response to the automobile accident where a man is run over.
  
  
• Why does Michel call Patricia a coward?
  
  
• According to Michel, what are the two things that matter in life?
  
  
• Note the high angle shots in the apartment just before Patricia goes to betray him and again when she returns from doing so.
  
  
• Note Michel's actions as lies dying and his last words.
  
  
• Note Patricia's gesture as the film closes.
  
  
• Trivia: Godard famously said, "All you need to make a movie is a girl and a gun."
  
  
• More Trivia: According to Jean-Pierre Melville, Godard asked him for consultation during the post-production stage because the first edit was too long for distribution. Melville suggested Godard remove all scenes that slowed down the action (his own turn as novelist Parvulesco included). But instead of excluding entire scenes, Godard cut little bits from here and there. This led to the "jump cut" technique this movie introduced. Melville declared the result to be excellent.
  
  
• Still More Trivia: Jean-Paul Belmondo was very surprised by the warm reception the film received. Immediately after production he was convinced it was so bad that he thought the film would never be released.
  
• Trivia Question: What is the name of the Western film Michel and Patricia watch?