Breathless

Breathless

Year: 1983

Runtime: 100 min

Language: Spanish

Director: Jim McBride

ActionDramaThrillerRomance

Hunted by the police, he steals cars repeatedly and finds himself alongside one of the world's most beautiful women. For the young criminal, life is a continuous party without rules. However, life itself unexpectedly intervenes, leading to unforeseen consequences and a confrontation with reality.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Breathless (1983)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Breathless (1983). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

early 1980s

The events sit in the contemporary early 1980s, using the era’s car culture and nightlife as a backdrop. Media exposure turns the protagonist into a public symbol of crime, influencing how the story unfolds. The time period emphasizes a sense of reckless freedom and urban energy characteristic of that decade.

Location

Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Mexico

The story unfolds starting in Las Vegas before moving into Los Angeles, placing the characters in a fast-paced urban and highway-driven landscape. The cityscapes and nightlife frame the pursuit and reckless behavior at the heart of the film. The plan to flee to Mexico hints at a border-crossing dream beyond the immediate city environment.

🎰 Neon nightlife 🚗 Car culture 🏙️ Urban sprawl

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:11

Main Characters – Breathless (1983)

Meet the key characters of Breathless (1983), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jesse Lujack (Richard Gere)

A cocky, hedonistic drifter and small-time car thief whose reckless charm masks a conscience in turmoil. He is obsessed with pop culture and uses bravado to chase Monica, ignoring the fallout of his actions.

❗️ Antihero 🚗 Car thief 🎯 Impulsive

Monica Poiccard (Valérie Kaprisky)

An architecture student whose flirtation with danger fuels a tentative romance and a struggle over leaving for Mexico. She wavers between attraction and caution, ultimately weighing love against the weight of reality.

🎓 Student 💋 Romantic 🧭 Pragmatic

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:11

Major Themes – Breathless (1983)

Explore the central themes of Breathless (1983), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Romance & Crime

A reckless romance drives the plot, pairing Monica’s ambivalence with Lujack’s fearless pursuit of freedom. Their bond blends attraction with danger, showcasing how passion can fuel impulsive, self-destructive choices. The relationship pushes the characters toward consequences neither can fully escape.

🕵️ Pursuit

Chase sequences thread the narrative, layering evasions and near-captures that heighten tension. Police pursuit and media attention frame Lujack as both a rebellious symbol and a target of law enforcement. The pursuit exposes the fragility of the antihero’s freedom.

🗺️ Escape

The plan to flee to Mexico embodies a desire to escape consequences and carve out a fantasy of absolute freedom. The journey mirrors a deeper wish to break away from rules and responsibilities. Eventually, the dream of escape clashes with reality, revealing the cost of running from the past.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:11

Unlock the Full Story of Breathless

Don't stop at just watching — explore Breathless in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Breathless is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Breathless Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Breathless, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Breathless Summary

Breathless Timeline

Track the full timeline of Breathless with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Breathless Timeline

More About Breathless

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Breathless: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Breathless

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