Breathing In

No pun intended - if you know the group/band The Clash, you probably already know what I am referring to. My joke aside, the movie is very well shot and the acting is good as well ... it does take its time though ... and it very well might strain your patience to say the least. Don't get me wrong, it is interesting and it has something to tell ... though I wasn't sure what exactly it was going to do ... I thought it was trying to do something else.

So there was a bit of a surprise of the ... how or rather what ... there is no surprise how or rather where this is going to end ... which takes quite a lot away from the movie ... at least in my book. It's a shame really ... especially the whole back and forth ... and all the unanswered questions we have (red eyes outside to name just one) ... I reckon many can be answered with tricks of the mind ... but that would be way too easy .. anyway, suspension of disbelief is something you have to bring into this ... and you also can't let it leave ... yes I just did that ... you're welcome (to stay)! I am known to take peoples breath away ... with my puns.

Haven't written a review for a long while since imdb made it mandatory I write a dissertation before I get published. So any opportunity I get where I can bash the imdb after being a 20 year user and waste a lot of words giving my outstanding opinion and congradulating myself for being a wisenheimer, I'll take it.

My review: I enjoyed this movie because I was in a chillin mood and felt like a horror movie. It was a slow burn, like sipping a 90 proof bourbon. I enjoyed the lead actress Michele Burgers, who was very entertaining and clearly very talented and appealing to this mature gentleman.

The film explored new territory for me perhaps of some mythological creature of Zef folklore I don't know of. But it had a succubus / vampire vibe going on.

I'd enjoy seeing a sequel which finds the daughter her foretold love, and encourage Jaco to do it.

Not for the masses but good. Well acted and shot. Uncomfortable but I very well believe that's the point. Symbolism. It's art. Not a 90 minute filled out template of character development, climax, and resolution. Just a weird story in a stagnant setting with a feeling of emptiness and melancholy. My favorite.

Spoilers:

The old woman is not good nor bad in the sense of relatability. Obviously killing is wrong despite her broken heart and weary form from age. She's not evil, could even be good (in a very morbid way) but is still definitely nowhere near being a saint. Her daughter is beautiful and empathetic but at the end she still goes through with it. She's like a rose with thorns, and she can be soft but she has the means to be cruel through her mother, who is beautiful and loving enough but hardened and meaner because of the loneliness and abandonment she endured. The general is superior to the adjutant and the mother is superior to the daughter, but the general is dying. Sure, the mother is old but she's obviously capable. So since the mother and daughter got the good ending, I guess the moral of the story is don't let weak people lead you in a world of cruelty, and if you are weak, find someone strong to help you.

Is a film that struggles to find its footing, leaving the audience with a sense of wasted time and unfulfilled potential. With a slow pace and minimal plot, it fails to create any meaningful connection or intrigue. The lack of direction and development leaves the film feeling stagnant, offering little in terms of mystery, suspense, or emotional depth. The story's minimalism, rather than being thought-provoking, results in a lackluster experience that is hard to invest in. The film takes a meandering approach, but without a compelling narrative, it becomes more of a chore to sit through than an engaging watch.

The performances, though not terrible, can't salvage the film's lack of substance. The actors work with what they're given, but the script offers little room for them to shine or develop their characters. There's no chemistry between them, which further contributes to the film's feeling of emptiness. The lack of emotional stakes or conflict makes it hard to care about the outcome of the story.

The setting, which could have been used to create intimacy or tension, instead feels restrictive in a negative way. There's no variation in location or interaction, leaving the audience trapped in a monotonous loop that doesn't lead anywhere. The absence of any real progression in the plot or character arcs only adds to the overall sense of stagnation.

I would not delve into the plot since the other reviewers have already contributed. However, it's needless to say that it deals with dark magic and human tragedy. The best treat in this movie was Michele Burgers. Although this is the first film I have seen her in, the captivating performance and remarkable versatility of her acting kept me glued to this movie. She had a commanding presence in every scene.

The cinematography is excellent, and the atmosphere is quite menacing. If you are looking for a different horror movie than your usual haunted house or demonic possession, give Breathing In a try.