Breathing Hard (2000)

Director:

Eric Neal Young

Writer:

John Rafter Lee (writer)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

A struggling Hollywood writer takes a job as a driver for a cursing, cantankerous old British actress. She believes she has one great role left in her...and decides that it should be in his new play. |

Plot Keywords:

Hollywood | Actress | Psychic Hotline | Drug Deal | Screenwriter

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

John Rafter Lee	...	Duggan
June Claman	...	Emma
John Billingsley	...	Hammond
Laura D'Arista	...	Francesca
Tony Abatemarco	...	Sam
Patrick Egan	...	Mel
Denise Poirier	...	Carol
Taylor Gilbert	...	Sharon
Solo Scott	...	Jeffries
Deborah Strang	...	Dorothy Kent
Louahn Lowe	...	Eleanor
Rich Willis	...	Elmo
Alicia Wollerton	...	Bureau Chief
Allison Sie	...	De La Cruz
Lenny von Dohlen	...	Anton

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Sparkhill Production

"Breathing hard" makes breathing easier

"There is an old Spanish proverb; 'It is good to have a friend even in Hell". This is quoted in the beginning of this movie, and playing throughout the film is a lovely delicate, Irish flavored piece of music. It is a movie that makes you laugh and think about today's society and how hard it is when your values are more ethereal.

The paradox of being creative and being employed: the dilemma of the thinking artist. John Lee, (Trevor, of Aeon Flux fame) the star of the film, plays Duggan, a playwright, and we watch his struggle to interact with the cold world around him that is so often flimsy of soul which can leave the best of us short of breath.

Duggan, an intelligent, sensitive man, with values out of step with his marriage (wife played by Denise Poirier, who was the voice of Aeon Flux) and his address, Hollywood. Emma, an aging English stage actress, (played by June Claman), and Duggan find their lives intertwined through the necessity of employment. She needs a driver, he needs to pay the rent. It doesn't take long for the cantankerous actress to manage to obtain a role in his play, without his blessing, which she deems a fine work suitable for her talents. As she moves into his world taking over his play, still a fighter of life in her last years, he finds it difficult to cope and turns to sarcastic remarks and sullen behavior.

At this point his marriage dies it's last breath,and he muses, "As ridiculous as it sounds I miss the yelling and the arguing", but the scene you are viewing is one of loving caresses between his best friend Hammond and new girl. The real author of this movie, John Lee, seems to be making his point as to what is really missed when love is over, as one becomes the outsider and observer to love.

Left alone in his world, he turns complete attention to his play. Emma, who entered his life like a hemorrhoid now becomes a friend and peer as they together employ their talents in his play. His life changed forever he takes uncertain steps as he puts the pieces of his life back together, submerged in his work. Friends in the enjoyment of the real craft of the arts, they rise above life's struggle to accomplish a serious work.

It is the story of people, friends and lovers, all living in a complex world that steals from you before giving back. The jokes are honestly funny and the cast is well chosen, and I haven't had such a good time watching a movie in a long time. John Lee's voice is incredible in it's own power to convey emotion and depth. Directed by Eric Neal Young, this movie is perfect in its timing, like a song in which all the notes are correct. I thought this movie was subtle and refreshing.