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Breathless

Play trailer Poster for Breathless 2009 2h 10m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
An abusive debt collector finds relief when he meets a high-school girl.

Critics Reviews

View All (24) Critics Reviews
Tony Rayns Sight & Sound As hard-boiled tales of moral redemption go, Breathless is a right knuckle-duster. Jul 6, 2018 Full Review Chris Chang Film Comment Magazine We will give Yang, the film's writer, director, and star, the benefit of the doubt by assuming his chronicle of relentless cruelty is not autobiographical. Jun 17, 2013 Full Review Stephen Cole Globe and Mail Although his first film is only a partial success, Yang Ik-june is a filmmaker worth watching for. Rated: 2.5/4 Jan 14, 2011 Full Review Dustin Chang ScreenAnarchy By the time the emotionally charged climax rolls around, we are completely invested in this hard-to-love brut. Yang has more in common with Shane Meadows way of filmmaking than what its English title evokes. Mar 24, 2021 Full Review Ard Vijn ScreenAnarchy "Breathless" is an impressive directing debut and a big advertisement for the acting skills of both Yang Ik-June and Kim Kkobbi. I'll be closely watching their careers. Jan 15, 2020 Full Review Panos Kotzathanasis HanCinema Yang Ik-june'snh primary purpose is to delve into the concept of domestic violence, and he accomplishes that by depicting it without constraints regarding the abuse it incorporates, both physically and verbally Dec 16, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (97) audience reviews
acsdoug D I just couldn't get into this one. It seemed very repetitive, lots of violence and swearing. I never really cared about the characters. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 06/21/23 Full Review Hanna D It appears that the movie is utilizing the protagonist as a vehicle to express discontent with contemporary societal norms that do not adhere to Confucian principles of respect, particularly with regard to age-related dynamics (younger employees failing to show respect to their bosses) and gender-based disparities (women failing to show respect to men). The movie also highlights the dire consequences that can ensue from disrespect by men, particularly those struggling with anger management issues and low self-esteem. The movie shows in an unlikely manner an "ajosshi heroship," celebrating the protagonist's accomplishments and triumphs. While the film briefly touches on the protagonist's history of domestic violence within his family, it does not present this as a major obstacle to his becoming a good person. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Yang Ik-june's world of these violent people whose lives are interconnected is an ever existing world all around us that most people choose to ignore. This hard hitting tale of loss and regret does show some silver linings at the end, but only with a price. It's learning from the mistakes of the past generations while leading the life with a positive mindset, accepting the evil in the world that anyone can do anymore. "Breathless" is powerful enough to haunt you with its brutality. Full review here http://www.asianfilmvault.com/2017/08/breathless-2008-by-yang-ik-june.html Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member An emotional story about the repercussions of Domestic Abuse. Amazing Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Bring him a hammer. A loan shark and muscle for those who owe him and others money, struggles with events as a kid that caused him to go down the wrong direction in life. He meets some kids that live in an alley close to where he does business, and a girl that means something to him, and he tries to prevent them from going down the same path despite often executing his jobs right in front of them. Is there any hope for all the kids and the man turning their lives around? "I want to kill all the fuckers who are hesitant wimps." Ik-joon Yang, director of A Time to Live, delivers Breathless in his directorial debut. The storyline for this picture has some unique elements and interesting characters and the action and kill scenes are very well done and intense. The acting is solid and the cast delivers the characters well. "Why are you taking it, you cunt?" I recently came across this on Netflix and added it to the queue. I am a fan of these foreign pictures and while this may not have been as good as Ishii the Killer or Old Boy, it was an intense action picture with a storyline worth watching. I recommend seeing this once for fans of foreign films. "I'm your dad, you fucking bastard!" Grade: C+ Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member It is a masterpiece with precise details and shows his experience with life. Looking forward for his movies. 9.8/10 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Breathless

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis An abusive debt collector finds relief when he meets a high-school girl.
Director
Yang Ik-joon
Producer
Yang Ik-joon
Screenwriter
Yang Ik-joon
Production Co
Mole Film
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
Korean
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Runtime
2h 10m