A drama based on an ancient Chinese proverb that breaks life down into four emotional cornerstones: happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love. A businessman bets his life on a horse race; a gangs... Read allA drama based on an ancient Chinese proverb that breaks life down into four emotional cornerstones: happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love. A businessman bets his life on a horse race; a gangster sees the future; a pop star falls prey to a crime boss; a doctor must save the love of... Read allA drama based on an ancient Chinese proverb that breaks life down into four emotional cornerstones: happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love. A businessman bets his life on a horse race; a gangster sees the future; a pop star falls prey to a crime boss; a doctor must save the love of his life.
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- (as Will Maier)
- Banker #2
- (as Salvador Garcia)
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The story of this movie could be easily summarized by one exact quote of just a random-looking worker from the movie: "I need a way out". I couldn't agree more - in todays universe, even more in my country, there are people who live to work. They live to eat, they live to buy some goods and sometimes, they just live to give their problems away to other people... This is actually all covered in this movie by a director that I have never heard of, but it might be a time for me to start learning his name. I began loving this movie from very first fifth minute- to the very end.
The cast is amazing - both main and supporting actors gave me their best. Bacon, Whitaker, Gellar, Fraser, Garsia, Hirch - what a nice choice for this movie! However, if you are not really open minded, you may not like their characters, you may not like the plot, but still, you will love the acting. Persuasive, smart and well done. That's how I would rate the crew members of this movie.
This leads to n awfully understandable conclusion - "The Air I Breathe" is actually one of the best movies I have seen this year, only "25 Hour" moved me more.. Even after seeing Ed's "25 Hour" i was quick to state that crime/drama is from now on my most favorite genre of the movie. Didn't take long to prove that it actually is - thanks to the amazing "The Air I Breathe"
It's rather intended for the oblivious Generation X who is lost in chaos and holds on to the little bit of hope that is left in a bleak future yet to come.(you know who you are)
The Air I Breath tells a story of amazing yet globally recognizable incidences and displays numerous examples of clairvoyance, Deja-Vu, synchronicity and coincidence from a somewhat Zen/Jungian point of view, although far more pessimistic.
The plot is told from various perspectives that all intervene in one way or the other a la Magnolia/Pulp Fiction/etc. Those who enjoyed flicks like The Butterfly Effect and Donnie Darko will possibly possess the right view and the right questions to enjoy this film.
The film has a comic book/graphic novel taste to it, and those familiar with Neil Gaiman's work should be in for a treat. The photography vaguely reminded me of Sin City although it's not half as good. The major problem lies with the Asian Soap Opera dialog that gets cheesy after a while and easily evokes the narrow mindedness and irritation of the cynical viewers.
This film is more intended for the young, open minded New Serenity movement who seek answers and comfort in life.
The weird and overrated "The Air that I Breath" uses four tales named "Happiness", "Pleasure", "Sorrow", "Love" - that entwines characters and situations around the powerful and omnipresent gangster Fingers. The stories are unpleasant and the power of Finger is exaggerated how could a famous pop-star be intimidated by a criminal the way Trista is? The attraction of this forgettable movie is the non-linear screenplay that hides a poor and boring story and the great cast. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "O Ar Que Eu Respiro" ("The Air that I Breath")
I have to say IMHO this is probably the best "serious" ~ non comedic performance I have seen from Brendan Fraser. AlI the way around good acting. Sarah Michelle Gellar's performance is stellar and Kevin Bacon's performance in this movie is terrific.
So thank you to everyone who wrote the good reviews. They steered me in the right direction and I'm glad I watched this movie.
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Brendan Fraser is looking at pictures of the famous pop star Trysta, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, real magazine photos of Sarah Michelle Gellar were used.
- GoofsWhen Gina is in the hospital, we see the patient monitor in demonstration mode ("demo" is flashing). It also indicates the patient is an adult male.
- Quotes
Pleasure: When you can see the future, you think you're capable of changing it. But you're just a witness to coming moments, unable to help, even if you wanted to and maybe you don't. Sometimes you think you're supposed to learn something, about patience or distance, but in the end it's all about discipline. Seeing things you don't always want to and just moving on. After a while things become easier. Routine keeps your mind from wandering. You begin to accept things as they are. Every man has his destiny. You can't escape it, even if you can see it coming.
- ConnectionsFeatures The Voyager (1991)
- SoundtracksTurnstile Blues
Written by Carla Azar, Greg Edwards and Eugene Goreshter
Performed by Autolux
Courtesy of Red Ink
By Arrangement with SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $10,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $25,775
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $19,487
- Jan 27, 2008
- Gross worldwide
- $2,602,098
- Runtime1 hour 35 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1