Breathless Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Breathless Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 31, 2014

“Breathless” is a little late to the “Mad Men” party, missing its chance to ride coattails as the iconic series ends its run in 2015. The production’s timing is unfortunate, but so is the program, at least in fits. Attempting to create a stylish look at the traumatic events facing the staff of The New London Hospital, “Breathless” quickly drowns in melodrama, dropping all regality and sensibility to match “General Hospital” in nostril-flaring acting and prolonged narratives. This is an exhausting show, and not because of its emotional content, as there isn’t any. Instead, it takes one hour of story and breaks it up into six episodes, dragging out secrets and indiscretions to a point where they cease to retain their intended meaning. Those on the prowl for a hospital procedural or even a period dissection should look for creative highlights elsewhere.

“Breathless” is a hospital drama that doesn’t spend much time in its central location. The show isn’t about surgeries (although a few are featured) and administrative tension, it’s a soap opera about the traumatic lives of few employees as they struggle to make due during the oppression of the 1960s. Abortion plays a key role in the series, with the lead character a doctor who believes in helping desperate women any way he can, striving to keep his practice a secret. This premise alone is ripe for exploration, studying the trials and tribulations of medical professionals whose duty trumps law, observing how they balance the needs of the many without torching their professional lives. Unfortunately, “Breathless” doesn’t have interest in such sophistication, electing to observe a knotted web of characters engaged in deceit and infidelity, turning the program into a lukewarm display of domestic disturbance, only without fiery tempers.

The characters are a bore, devoid of personality and common sense. They’re dim figures invented to collide into one another, not interact in a meaningful manner. “Breathless” doesn’t have the energy to deliver human emotion, it craves the artificial stuff, leaning on tired subplots that explore routine marital and parental violations without making the effort to reimagine this run of forbidden love and spousal humiliation (sexism and gender roles are only superficially inspected) for a new age. Instead, “Breathless” mimics afternoon programming, dragging out the inevitable with next to no excitement. The very least the series could do is inject passion into every formulaic event it summons. Instead, the show falls asleep in the first episode, never to reawaken.

Episodes

Episode 1 (47:38)

Commanding a gynecology ward at The New London Hospital, Dr. Otto Powell (Jack Davenport) is calm and confident in his abilities, leading a team of inexperienced and nervous doctors, while also making money on the side performing secret abortions. A married man, with loyal wife Elizabeth (Natasha Little) and an eight-year-old son, Dr. Otto has his eye on Nurse Angela (Catherine Steadman), a newcomer to the hospital who’s growing greatly concerned with a suicidal patient who doesn’t want her life planned out by others. Nurse Jean (Zoe Boyle) is about to be married to Dr. Richard (Oliver Chris), knowing full well that her pregnancy is motivating the union, not love. And anesthesiologist Charlie (Shaun Dingwall) is provided with an opportunity for a promotion at the hospital, only to feel the intense pressure of the interview.

Episode 2 (46:16)

As Dr. Otto tries to capture Nurse Angela’s attention, the young woman struggles with difficulties at home, trying to wrangle her father, who’s suffering from dementia. Jean settles into a domesticated life with Dr. Richard, only to find her new reality a bore, spending her day smoking cigarettes, while Charlie’s spouse, Lily (Joanna Page), attempts to teach the new wife recipes to help motivate her routine. At home, Lily is ready to have a baby, only to find Charlie’s impotence difficult to address. And trouble arrives for Dr. Otto when Inspector Mulligan (Iain Glen) takes special interest in Elizabeth’s comfortable life, threatening to ruin it with a devastating secret concerning her husband’s past.

Episode 3 (46:25)

Complications arise during an abortion procedure, placing Dr. Otto under suspicion with local law enforcement officials -- a situation that disturbs Charlie tremendously, who’s fearful of being sent to jail for his deeds. Dr. Richard is tempted by an old lover, causing friction with Jean as she begins to notice signs of his infidelity. And Elizabeth’s nerves are frayed by Inspector Mulligan’s stalking efforts, hoping to protect her family without informing her husband of the dire situation.

Episode 4 (46:27)

Electing to sacrifice a part of herself for the greater good of her family, Elizabeth gives in to Inspector Mulligan’s demands with hopes to end his obsessions. Growing tired of Dr. Otto’s methods of self-preservation, Charlie begins to distance himself from his former friend and colleague, with Lily there to support his newfound confidence. And Dr. Richard’s affair consumes his life in a manner that stuns even his mistress, while Jean struggles at home, attempting to pull off a traditional dinner party to prove her worth as a housewife to everyone.

Episode 5 (47:16)

Realizing that Dr. Otto doesn’t care if he stays at the hospital, Charlie entertains a job offer that would take him far way from London, thrilling Lily with such idyllic surroundings. Dr. Richard is caught between passion and duty when his mistress is brought in for an operation, challenging Dr. Otto’s expertise during the procedure. And Elizabeth is wrecked by Inspector Mulligan’s harassment, growing more direct in her accusations as her stalker ups his game.

Episode 6 (47:32)

Lily, realizing that Charlie has lied to her, finally puts her foot down, trying to understand why her husband is so drawn to Dr. Otto. Finally closing in on a grand reveal of all secrets, Inspector Mulligan finally confronts Dr. Otto, whose life is already in flux when he shares his feelings for Nurse Angela. And Dr. Richard is faced with the biggest professional challenge of his career as he goes solo on an emergency operation.

Breathless Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is as crisp as a PBS Blu-ray gets, with amazing detail on design achievements and thespian faces, catching all the creases and smoothness of natural skin, with a thin coating of make-up. Colors are bold, with bright primaries emerging from costumes and the warm cinematography, which favors the illusion of natural light. Outdoor greenery is also powerful, and skintones are true. Blacks aren't particularly strong, with some sequences weakened by solidification, tarnishing an otherwise secure and communicative HD viewing experience.

Breathless Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is more functional than immersive, keeping to the show's television origins with a straightforward design of performances and scoring. Dialogue exchanges are clean and full, isolating emotionality in otherwise reserved performances. Soundtrack selections offer additional energy, bringing a beat to the dour series, and scoring is supportive without providing dramatic urgency. Atmospherics, including hospital visits and community gatherings, are dutifully stocked with activity, filling out the frontal event.

Breathless Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is a no supplementary material on these discs.

Breathless Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There are a few highlights to savor should anyone feel heroic enough to watch all six episodes. Actress Joanna Page is a delight, adding the program's only burst of personality while sustaining a distressing subplot that touches on neglect and heart-bursting need. And the design elements, from costuming to sets, are all top-notch, with admirable effort placed into creating a heightened appreciation of the era. It's a shame the positives are so few, as "Breathless" had the potential to pull off at least a bit of raw intensity. Instead, the producers aim no higher than a weekday afternoon distraction, dressing up the painfully familiar in bright costumes.