Breathe (2017)
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A man paralyzed from the neck down by polio fights to maintain his independence and find a way to live a full life with his wife.
The story
In 1958, Robin Cavendish contracts polio in Kenya, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a respirator. After being repatriated to Britain, Robin initially struggles with depression and refuses to see his wife, Diana, or their newborn son. However, Diana's persistence helps improve his spirits. When she suggests moving him home with his respirator, Robin brightens. Despite objections from his hospital consultant, Robin is brought home to meet his son. The film follows their journey as they navigate the challenges of his disability and seek ways to provide him with a more mobile and independent life.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1958 in Kenya, Robin Cavendish contracts polio at age 28, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a respirator. After being repatriated to Britain, Robin is initially depressed and refuses to see his wife, Diana, or their newborn son, Jonathan. Diana's persistence eventually improves his spirits, and she convinces the hospital to let them move Robin home with his respirator. While at home, a dog accidentally knocks out the ventilator plug, and Robin, unable to speak, makes clicking noises to alert Diana. Inspired by his son's pram, Robin enlists his friend Teddy Hall to build a mobile chair with a built-in respirator. This allows the family to travel, eventually even flying a specially constructed van to Spain. Robin later teams up with Dr. Clement Aitken to produce more of these chairs for other patients. After observing the inhumane treatment of disabled patients in a German hospital, Robin gives a speech appealing for more humane treatment. Years later, experiencing severe bleeding from the respirator, Robin decides to end his life. He holds a farewell party and instructs his family to leave the house at precise times. He eventually dies, having transformed the lives of many others.
- First release year
- 2017
- Runtime (minutes)
- 117
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Andy Serkis
- Writers
- William Nicholson · writer; William Nicholson · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Andrew Garfield · Robin Cavendish; Claire Foy · Diana Cavendish; Tom Hollander · Diana's twin brothers; Hugh Bonneville; Ed Speleers; Dean-Charles Chapman
- Genres
- biographical drama
- Themes
- disability; resilience; family devotion; medical ethics
- Tone and mood
- heartwarming; optimistic; serious
- Setting
- Kenya and Britain in the 1950s and 1960s
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; true story; medical drama; historical
- Source material / true-story basis
- true story of Robin Cavendish
- Content notes
- sexual matters
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews, with critics praising the lead performances and direction but criticizing the script for being overly romantic and optimistic.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 67% · review count: 166; Rotten Tomatoes · score: 6.4/10; Metacritic · score: 51 · scale: 100 · review count: 29
- Production trivia
- The film was commissioned by Jonathan Cavendish, who runs The Imaginarium production company.; Jonathan Cavendish wanted to capture the "swashbuckling band of eccentrics" he knew in his childhood.; The film was screened at the Opening Night Gala at the BFI London Film Festival.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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