The Bedroom Scene In Breathless: How Long Does It Last?

The 1960 French New Wave crime drama film 'Breathless' has a bedroom scene that lasts for about twenty-five minutes. This is about one-third of the film's total running time. The scene involves the two main characters, Michel and Patricia, smoking, talking, and flirting in bed. The scene is an example of the French New Wave genre, with its long tracking shots, minimal camera movement, abrupt cuts, and low budget.

The scene lasts 25 minutes

The bedroom scene in Jean-Luc Godard's 1960 film "Breathless" is a 25-minute-long dialogue scene that occurs at the film's midway point. It features the two protagonists, Michel and Patricia, sitting in bed, smoking, talking, and flirting. This scene makes up about one-third of the film's total running time.

The scene is a departure from traditional film structure, as it slows down the pace of the film to focus on character development and interaction rather than the more melodramatic moments of the plot. Godard recognised that the relationship between the two anti-heroes was more interesting than banal melodrama, and used the bedroom scene to help the audience become familiar with the characters' pasts, hopes, outlooks on life, and personalities. By the end of the scene, the audience actually cares about what happens to Michel and Patricia.

The scene is also characteristic of the French New Wave genre, with its long tracking shots, minimal camera movement, abrupt cuts, and low budget. The playful banter between Michel and Patricia is typical of the fast-paced and sometimes improvised scripts in this genre.

The "Breathless" bedroom scene is an example of Godard's belief that story and character are of the utmost importance. It demonstrates his "playfulness" in service of the story and his conscious effort to counter the stereotype of the film's brisk pace.

It's an example of French New Wave

Jean-Luc Godard's 1960 film "Breathless" is considered a defining example of French New Wave cinema. The film's visual style, subject matter, and rule-breaking camera movement and editing techniques are all characteristic of this movement.

French New Wave films were often made on a low budget, and this is reflected in the minimal and improvised nature of the bedroom scene in "Breathless". The scene is characterised by a lack of elaborate costumes or actions, with a focus on the playful banter and power struggle between the two main characters, Michel and Patricia. The lighting in the scene, with its juxtaposition of white and black, is also typical of the French New Wave.

The use of handheld cameras in "Breathless" is another defining feature of French New Wave cinema. This technique allowed Godard to move freely and film in the streets of Paris, creating a shaky, grainy aesthetic that became synonymous with the movement. The film's bold visual style also included the unconventional use of jump cuts, which added charm to the scene and contributed to its energetic pacing.

The French New Wave movement represented a significant shift in the way films were made and understood. Godard's film challenged traditional cinematic conventions by experimenting with subject matter, filming techniques, and editing styles. "Breathless" is considered a key example of this movement, with its innovative approach to storytelling and its willingness to treat audiences as intelligent enough to keep up.

It's a break from the film's fast pace

The bedroom scene in Jean-Luc Godard's 1960 film "Breathless" is a notable departure from the film's fast pace. The scene, which runs for about 25 minutes, serves as a respite from the brisk editing style and quick pace that were innovative at the time.

In the scene, the two main characters, Michel and Patricia, sit in bed, smoking, talking, and flirting. This extended sequence accounts for about one-third of the film's total running time. It is a bold break from traditional film structure, as it prioritises character development and story over action and melodrama.

The scene takes place at the midway point of the film, providing a breather from the preceding events, including Michel's shooting of a police officer and his subsequent escape. During the bedroom scene, Michel and Patricia's relationship takes centre stage, with the camera mostly following their conversations and interactions. The minimal camera movement and abrupt cuts are characteristic of the French New Wave genre, of which "Breathless" is an influential example.

The scene's slow pace and focus on character development stand in contrast to the fast-paced, action-packed sequences that dominate contemporary Hollywood blockbusters. By taking the time to delve into the characters' pasts, hopes, and personalities, Godard creates a deeper connection with the audience, making them invest in the fate of Michel and Patricia.

The "Breathless" bedroom scene is a testament to Godard's belief in the importance of story and character. It demonstrates his willingness to challenge conventional narrative techniques and his understanding that the relationship between the two anti-heroes is the heart of the film.

It's a key character development scene

The bedroom scene in Jean-Luc Godard's 1960 film "Breathless" is a key character development scene. The scene, which lasts for about twenty-five minutes, involves the two main characters, Michel and Patricia, smoking, talking, and flirting in bed. This scene is significant because it slows down the pace of the film, which is otherwise known for its headlong pacing and jump cuts. By dedicating a significant portion of the film's runtime to this scene, Godard demonstrates his belief in the importance of story and character development.

During the bedroom scene, the audience learns more about Michel and Patricia's pasts, hopes, outlooks on life, and personalities. We see their playful banter and the power struggle in their relationship. This adds depth to the characters and makes the audience invest in their fate. We become concerned about Michel's well-being when the cops are trying to find him, and we wince as Patricia makes a series of bad decisions.

The scene also serves as a respite from the film's fast pace and sense of perpetual movement and restlessness created by the jump cuts. When Godard resumes the fast pace after the bedroom scene, the audience feels refreshed and more equipped to follow the action.

The bedroom scene in "Breathless" is a pivotal moment in the film, as it provides essential character development and gives the audience a break from the film's frenetic pace. It showcases Godard's understanding of storytelling and his ability to engage the audience on an emotional level.

Furthermore, the scene demonstrates Godard's willingness to experiment and break free from traditional cinematic conventions. By extending the bedroom scene to such a length, he challenges the stereotype that the film's brisk pace might suggest. He prioritizes character interaction and exploration over the more melodramatic moments typically emphasized in the crime genre.

It's a dialogue-heavy scene

The bedroom scene in Jean-Luc Godard's 1960 film "Breathless" is a dialogue-heavy scene that runs for about 25 minutes. It takes place at the film's midway point and features the two protagonists, Michel and Patricia, sitting in bed, smoking, talking, and flirting. This scene accounts for almost one-third of the film's total running time.

The scene begins with Patricia returning home to find Michel in her bed. They engage in playful banter, with Michel making a series of faces at Patricia, who mimics him. They get up and move around the room, with Patricia watching herself in the mirror and Michel lamenting about the girl. They eventually lie down on the bed and continue their conversation.

This scene is significant as it goes against traditional film structure and pacing conventions. Instead of focusing on the more melodramatic moments of the film, such as the shooting of a cop or the killing of Michel, Godard chooses to slow down the pace and delve into the relationship between the two characters. The dialogue-heavy scene allows the audience to learn more about their pasts, hopes, outlooks on life, and personalities. It adds depth to the characters and makes the audience invest in their fate.

The scene also exemplifies the French New Wave genre with its long tracking shots, minimal camera movement, abrupt cuts, and low budget. The lighting in the scene, with the juxtaposition of white and black, and the costumes of the characters, with dramatic light and dark stripes, also contribute to the overall style of the film.

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