Breathe

Play trailer

2:34

Breathe

PG-13

2017

1h 57m

Biography

History

Drama

Romance

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

166 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

After contracting polio at the age of 28, Robin Cavendish is confined to a bed and given only months to live. With help from his wife Diana and her twin brothers, and the groundbreaking ideas of inventor Teddy Hall, Cavendish emerges from the hospital ward and devotes the rest of his life to helping fellow patients and the disabled.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Strong performances from Breathe's well-matched leads help add an edge to a biopic that takes a decidedly heartwarming approach to its real-life story.

Read Critics Reviews

Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

12/29/2017

3.5/5

It's an eerily skilful performance by Garfield, making it easy to imagine that he really is trying to master the art of speech by regulating his flow of available air.

Go to Full Review

David Stratton

The Australian

12/29/2017

3.5/5

Robin's story is certainly a tale of near-triumph over adversity, and the director manages to keep cheap sentimentality at bay. In many ways this is a very English story about intestinal fortitude and the stiff upper lip.

Go to Full Review

Wenlei Ma

News.com.au

12/20/2017

3/5

The producer of Breathe, Jonathan Cavendish, is the son of the incredible couple whose story is immortalised in the movie, giving it a weighty, personal connection that transcends some empty exercise in virtue.

Go to Full Review

Paul Emmanuel Enicola

Movie-Blogger.com

07/31/2024

3.5/5

A moving film that examines the effects of a debilitating illness to the afflicted and their families, as well as the physical and emotional strains that come with it.

Go to Full Review

Tori Brazier

Flickering Myth

03/25/2021

4/5

Breathe will bring a lump to the throat with its passionate but un-showy telling of two individuals who sought to change the status quo.

Go to Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

03/01/2021

3/5

Breathe doesn't have the gravitas of The Theory of Everything - it spends too much time trying to wring all the emotion out of the story like tears from a sponge - but it does have compassion and heart.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Karen O

11/19/2024

I don't see how this movie didn't get a higher rating. Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy did an amazing job.

See more

Leah K

@Leahpr203 08/23/2024

How does this movie not have a higher rating?!? The acting is fantastic, the story is amazing along with the message. And it's a true story!! I watched this years ago and still think about it. It's a total tearjerker.

See more

Lorena S

04/09/2023

Very emotional. Liked the story and movie

See more

DIISIN W

10/24/2022

The power of love has changed everything in this world for the better. Technology would have never advanced to an idea without it. Quality of life would never have the chance to improve without it. This film is evidence of all of these things.

See more

isla s

09/01/2022

I thought this was a brilliant film - a sad story, hard to watch in parts but ultimately a story of humanity, of hope in disability and, perhaps slightly more cheesily, a story of love and family. Its an interesting and in some ways uplifting story and the performances were really good, especially Andrew Garfield, Tom Hollander and Stephen Mangan. Its based on a true story and this made the film all the more interesting to me. I found it intriguing and I respect the Cavendish family for how they coped with what they faced. It made me wonder about the future in terms of technical abilities to help the severley disabled. This is a film definitely worth seeing - the story seemed well handled, its a thought provoking watch with some great performances, so I recommend it.

See more

Chris A

01/11/2022

Loved every minute of it. Emotional, yet sprinkled with humor is what made this stand out from other movies based on real life people with disabilities. Andrew Garfield is amazing even with limited body movement, his performance manages to reach the audience immensely. Claire Foy's performance feels noteworthy as well. Andy Serkis does a great job in one of the best directorial debuts I've seen.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Andy Serkis

Director

Andrew Garfield

Robin Cavendish

Claire Foy

Diana Cavendish

Tom Hollander

Bloggs Blacker & David Blacker

Stephen Mangan

Dr. Clement Aitken

Hugh Bonneville

Teddy Hall

Mary Shelley

40%

48%

Mary Shelley

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Mary Shelley

A United Kingdom

83%

77%

A United Kingdom

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A United Kingdom

Effie Gray

43%

41%

Effie Gray

Watchlist

The Theory of Everything

81%

84%

The Theory of Everything

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Theory of Everything

The Zookeeper's Wife

64%

76%

The Zookeeper's Wife

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Zookeeper's Wife

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New On DVD in January: Better Call Saul, IT, Blade Runner 2049 and More

British Independent Film Winners Announced: God’s Own Country Wins Best Film

Happy Death Day Is Familiar but Fun

Breathe: Trailer 2

2:34

Breathe: Trailer 1

2:31

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

After contracting polio at the age of 28, Robin Cavendish is confined to a bed and given only months to live. With help from his wife Diana and her twin brothers, and the groundbreaking ideas of inventor Teddy Hall, Cavendish emerges from the hospital ward and devotes the rest of his life to helping fellow patients and the disabled.

Director: Andy Serkis
Producer: Jonathan Cavendish
Screenwriter: William Nicholson
Distributor: Bleecker Street Media
Production Co: BBC Film, Silver Reel, Imaginarium Productions, Embankment Films, British Film Institute (BFI)
Rating: PG-13 (Some Bloody Medical Images|Mature Thematic Material)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 13, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 2, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $489.4K
Runtime: 1h 57m

Most Popular at Home Now