Brianna R
I love this film! It has a plot that captivates the audience and adds creativity throughout. It pulled at my heartstrings and I was truly moved.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
04/02/24
Full Review
brad p
Breathing Happy is the magical Christmas story about recovery and grief we didn't know we needed. It's a drama that's a little too rock and roll not to fit under our huge genre umbrella. I, for one, am glad it's here.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Kevin L
"Breathing Happy" was an interesting if repetitive movie dealing with the dynamics of drug addiction and how it affects and is effected by family and friends. It stars the movie's writer/director/editor Shane Brady, who does more than a sufficient job in bringing a fully dimensional character to life. Dylan is right there in the middle where so very many addicts (whatever form addiction might take; narcotics, another person as support, power, entertainment/tv/games, depression) are- he's not a complete bastard flake waste, but he's been that. Now he's trying hard to redeem his life.
It certainly hits on the constant presence of addiction in the addict's mind; confusing, pressuring, manipulating, reminding. I felt it went on too much with this particular aspect. I was interested in some side characters, family and otherwise, and wanted to see more of them. They could've shown more of when/why the addiction started, shown more of what it had done to them, the family in general, and could've acted as more incentive for Dylan.
But, the time they did spend with family was used to a good effect. The use of home videos is a strong source force for stirring the audience, I feel, when used by a skillful director and not pandering or going too melodramatic.
It's cool Benson and Moorhead were voices for the Lotus and the Mystery Door. Love those guys. Liked June Carryl a lot as the mom. The supporting performances were solid. And gradnpa Dylan was Phil Esposito, Kerazy.
3 stars
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/23/23
Full Review
John G
This film was remarkably told; the imagery and dissonance between the character's actual reality and his perceived reality was an incredible take on addiction. This film is a great watch and moves quickly. Shane Brady steals the show in this.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/09/23
Full Review
Evan Z
Full disclosure, I am the Director of Photography for this film. My company also graded it, conformed it (with all its crazy formats), did some VFX, and finished it. As filmmakers, we sometimes spend tremendous amounts of time on indie projects like this, ending with much left to be desired. However, that wasn't the case with Breathing Happy. So, I wanted to shed some light on why I find this one of the most exceptional films I've been privileged enough to be a part of.
While the script seemed very ambitious for the amount of time we had to shoot as is pretty much always the case (just 15 days), it became apparent to me on day 1 that Shane would turn this into something marvelous. We shot the scene with the veterinarian, who happens to be Shane's brother, a non-actor. The performance Shane was able to drive out of him and the dog no less, while giving it all himself, solidified that I was working with a gifted filmmaker with all sorts of tricks up his sleeve.
The second week of filming saw the likes of young actors Owen Atlas, Evee White, and Mia Castillo as well as older versions of siblings and family members Brittaney Escalante, Augie Duke, Katelyn Nacon, June Carryl, and John D'Aquino. Their performances were all an inspiration to my work and I would walk away from the set each day knowing that this film was going to be special. Everyone rose above "A game", including the crew who are all my close friends, in an effort to craft a piece of magic that only forms when you truly love what you are doing and the people you are creating with.
With all of those perfect cards, Shane took the traditional, weighty, moody, and often stuffy addiction drama and transformed it, through some of the best indie film editing I've ever seen, into an fascinating tale of temptation, loss, loneliness and the hope for redemption. Hitting you from all angles, bringing you the highest of highs, the lowest of lows, and even switching the narrative format on its side from time to time. Breathing Happy is a true testament to Shane's mastery of sleight-of-hand in that it is both a harrowing and charming story that excels in making you feel a gamut of emotions, very deeply, through every fibre of your being.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/06/23
Full Review
Craig O
I got the great pleasure of seeing this movie at FILMQUEST this year and was very impressed. Sure, it's not a big budget film by any means, but that didn't effect my enjoyment at all. The performances are all top top notch, the direction is fantastic, the shot choices are great, the editing is really strong. It's tremendously funny and touching and sad and challenging all at the same time. It goes to show how a creative storyteller can put something special together with heart and leave a lasting impression. Can't wait to see what Shane and company do next!
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
12/31/22
Full Review
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