Film Snail

7.4

Breathe

PG-13·2017·118m

Drama

Romance

Drama

Romance

Summary

Based on the true story of Robin, a handsome, brilliant and adventurous man whose life takes a dramatic turn when polio leaves him paralyzed.

Cast

Andrew Garfield

Robin Cavendish

Claire Foy

Diana Cavendish

Hugh Bonneville

Teddy Hall

Tom Hollander

Bloggs Blacker / David Blacker

Miranda Raison

Mary Dawney

Dean-Charles Chapman

Jonathan

Diana Rigg

Lady Neville

Ed Speleers

Colin Campbell

Emily Grace Bevan

Nurse Margaret

Ben Lloyd-Hughes

Dr. Don McQueen

Roger Ashton-Griffiths

Hospital Chaplain

Camilla Rutherford

Katherine Robertson

Penny Downie

Tid

Amit Shah

Dr. James Khan

David Wilmot

Paddy

Patrick Godfrey

Mr. Tolland

Steven O'Donnell

Harry Tennyson

Lorraine Ashbourne

First Woman

Rosie Cavaliero

Second Woman

Stephen Mangan

Dr. Clement Aitken

Kiera Bell

Ballroom Dancer (uncredited)

Honey Holmes

Robin's Bedside Guest (uncredited)

Ty Hurley

Ambulance Man (uncredited)

Harry Attwell

Mechanic

Mark Underwood

Patient 1 (uncredited)

Charlene Durrant

Nurse (uncredited)

Adam Ganne

German Hospital Official

Charles Streeter

Chief Medic Lyneham

Simon North

Wedding Guest (uncredited)

Jason Farries

Robin's Friend / Guest (uncredited)

Shane Griffin

Doctor (uncredited)

Jack Jenkins

Wicket Keeper (uncredited)

George Dawson

Polio Patient (uncredited)

Jason Grangier

Robin's Guest (uncredited)

Brian Gillham

Obstetrician - Kenya (uncredited)

Gary John Clarke

Garden Party Guest (uncredited)

David Louw

German Delegate

Mark J. Paterson

Robin's Guest (uncredited)

Jonathan Hyde

Dr. Entwistle

Sylvester Groth

Dr. Erik Langdorf

Marina Bye

Pamela Harris

David Butler

Estate Manager

André Jacobs

Governor

Terry Norton

Governor's Wife

Dallon Brewer

Jonathan Aged 2

Deacon Brewer

Jonathan Aged 2

Jack Madigan

Jonathan Aged 5

Frank Madigan

Jonathan Aged 5

Tom Turner

Rory Stewart

Harriet Turnbull

Little Girl

Harry Marcus

Jonathan Aged 10

Tony Caprari

Spanish Motorist

John Herbert

Spanish Priest

Aurelie Stratton

Spanish Woman

Adam Neill

Mr. Pickering

Ross Sambridge

German Receptionist

Norman Anstey

Conference Chairman

Dean-Charles Chapman

Jonathan age 22

Heather Nicol

Barmaid

Crew

Director

Andy Serkis

Screenplay

William Nicholson

Reviews

Geronimo1967

October 27, 2024

This is a delightfully photographed depiction of the life of pioneering Simon Cavendish (Andrew Garfield), afflicted with chronically debilitating polio in his late twenties, who spent much of his life striving, with his wife Diana (Claire Foy) to help develop and improve the facilities for the disabled. It was produced by their son Jonathan, so there is a certain - admittedly rose-tinted - authenticity about their struggle; their dedication to each other (and to him) and their determination to beat the odds - and it is a compelling feature to watch with good performances from the leading pair. The characterisations are not the most substantial, we sort of race through their lives without really getting to know either of them, and that's a shame - I could have done with just a bit more passion, anger, frustration - all of which must have reared their heads as the couple faced the challenges in an environment far removed from the modern-day appliance-driven society that we take very much for granted forty years later. A good ensemble cast - Ed Speleers, Stephen Mangen, Tom Hollander and a tiny cameo from Dame Diana Rigg along with some typically detailed craft efforts and a gently paced score from Nitin Sawhney all help to give this a poignancy that. though at times hard to watch, delivers a strong message of compassion, determination, a generosity of spirit and ultimately a question of choices that I rather enjoyed.