Film Review: Breathe

The beginning of this film is reminiscent of a fairytale; it is childlike and romantic as a score of violins play over the shots of the idyllic English countryside. It feels as though it is introducing a classic whirlwind romance, even down to the Casablanca-esque font written across the opening footage. However, Breathe is of course is not a fairytale, but rather the very true story of a man named Robin Cavendish who changed the face of modern medicine when he was diagnosed with Polio in the 1950’s. This story, which was produced by Robin’s son Johnathan Cavendish, stands as a testament to his parents, who treated their challenges as a way to help change the world.

The story’s start is starry-eyed, as Robin meets Diana while playing cricket at a country manor. However, the ostentatious tea parties are soon swapped for campfires in the African desert, where in 1953 the couple have married and relocated. With the stunning Kenyan sunset in the background, Diana informs Robin she is pregnant with their first child, and both are blissfully happy with thought of their futures together.

But only eight months later, Robin falls ill in the middle of the night and is rushed to the local hospital in Nairobi. Shaking and unable to breathe or speak, the doctors perform an emergency tracheotomy to relive the pressure on his lungs. A heavily pregnant Diana arrives at the hospital and is confronted with the full paralysis of her husband, who is now using a respirator machine to help him breathe. Completely devastated, she is informed that her husband has contracted Polio and will probably only live for a matter of months.

Robin’s story is told through Andrew Garfield, who portrays the agonising realisation of terminal illness so truthfully with quiet and angry tears. One of the most tender moments of the film comes when Robin is introduced to Jonathan for the first time, unable to hold his baby in his arms, Diana places the baby next to his face

Diana is played by the wonderful Claire Foy, acting as a mother and wife with a cause. She excellently depicts the panic of the prospect of living life alone, throwing herself into making her husband’s life enjoyable, and making Robin’s happiness her entire life purpose.

This begins when the family moves home to an English hospital, where Robin regains the use of his voice. He demands to leave the confides of the wards walls, wanting to be at home amongst his young family rather than trapped within the ‘prison’ of the polio wing.

This task is said to be impossible by doctors, but marks the beginning of the many impossible tasks that Robin manages to accomplish, each more impressive than the last, which continually shock the medical world. Robin makes it his mission to be seen and heard for the benefit of the future generations, finding purpose in his disease that he once found so restricting.

However, the extraordinary accomplishments do not hide the sadness of his situation, the depression that accompanied terminal illness and the restrictions it has on the lives of those it surrounds.

I think any criticisms of the overly romantic nature of the film are a low blow. Produced by their son, the film is a happy memoir with emotional truth, rather than flowery overacting as some have suggested. It is understandable that in such a personal film, they would choose to concentrate on the light of the situation rather than the darkness, whilst still remaining entirely real and moving.

If you don’t like being part of a snotty cinema I would avoid this film, it is a tear-jerker, but it’s emotion is both thoughtful and powerful. Breathe is a wonderful testament to the power of perseverance and the desire to make others lives better. The inventions and campaigning of Robert Cavendish changed the way the world viewed disabled people, and showed that a life with illness is much more than just survival, it is a life to be enjoyed and life to be lived well.

Breathe Trailer

Breathe is playing at Broadway Cinema until Thursday 9th November