The film Breath directed by Simon Baker is a visual feast for the eyes, a bask in soundscapes, a lesson for the soul. This art house standout is based on the novel of he same name by Tim Winton (the film's narrator) creates a Zen experience ripe with 10 foot waves, gangly boys on long boards, and a drifter who just happens to be a world class surer. Set in the 1970 on the rural rocky West Coast of Australia, the story follows two teenagers Pinkelet and Loonie (newcomers Samson Coulter and Ben Spence). The two are best friends with divergent backgrounds with Pinkelet coming from a good home and Loonie living above a bar with his petulant father. The story follows the two boys through 2 of their form able years showing them as restless 14 years old ripping up the back roads on their long handled bar bikes. They come across a new way of life when they take up surfing under the guru lie tutelage of Sando (Baker). The surfer shows them the ropes brings them to secret spots and teaches them to surf the waves like the formidable "Old Smokey". He dispense advice lie "Don't let a shred of doubt keep you from doing ..your thing" Sando's, beatific, stoner wife is the bummer of the film for a while but she plays an integral part in the evolution of the film. Though the insight might be a bit too heady for the film's trajectory; one scene might possibly be better suited in another a scene for another movie. But it as the 70s afer all and it does say something about her reaction to fear. That said no spoilers here
The film did not acquiesce to California sunny shots of wide surf and cerulean waves. The shots of the grey blue waves with icy off white foam meander along side rocky sides and curvy leafless tress. The lack of palm trees exemplified this wasn't typical surf movie Beach Boy country. Still that was what made the film so enchanting. The extra promise of adventure was actually getting to the ocean. Sliding down rocks and simply hitting the water instead of lulling for a moment in the sand taking it in. IT was in or nothing. The skies were also muted with the lack of sunshine on many days. There was an inordinate of rainy days that made surfing a no go. The drop in the excitement with the slate grey to charcoal skies and thick drops of rain, to me, drove in that life isn't always sunshine. Also to let yourself be silent in the quiet times, in the muddy times, in those time when questions lead to tears. Also when questions and the act of letting go leads to growth. It's not a busy or noisy film. In fact the best scenes are when they are on the waves or sitting quietly with themselves whether it is at Pinklet's family library or Sando's bohemian hangout.
The plumes of waves and the ominous yet inviting ocean is a supporting character worthy of a credit. Also the surfboards, from styrofoam beginners to the carefully crafted ones that like a guitar were custom built to fit the owner. The prepping of the boards were some of my favorite mini moments. "The smells of paraffin wax and brine and peppy scrub."
Finally the musical accompaniment is hypnotic, bliss. Henry Gregson - Williams composed elegant soundscapes ripe with the rush of the bicycle pedals rushing to the ocean, the swirl of the waves while the board rises high, right up to the final "It's not for me" scene. The layered, sculpted music is lush with wavelike fluidity as well as truthful crescendos with some sounds lingering for longer and others gracefully moving ephemerally away.
The soundtrack could stand alone.
In the River, Restless, First waves, Styrofoam boards, Outside Sawyer Point, Dancing on Water, Going Home, A different life, Appointment Undisclosed, Diving Beneath The Surface, Old Smokey
Go Pinklet, Loonie Did it Harder, The Nautilus, After the Waves, The Social, You're Different Breath, Its Not for me
I highly recommend this film.
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