Breathe Review - Solid start

Bharath Vijayakumar

We probably are right at the start of a phase where a format like web series is beginning to provide parallel if not an alternate form of entertainment in India. With someone like Madhavan taking the plunge, Breathe could be a game changer depending on how things go from here. The Indians are already consuming this medium through shows from the west and we probably aren't far off from the day when a web series made in India has the audience await in anticipation. Breathe is definitely a solid start.

The first 4 episodes that have been released travel on the lines as suggested by the trailers. A father sort of becomes a monster in his race against time to save his son. Madhavan as Danny is good as expected. But his transition into taking the extreme step looks a bit rushed or to put it exactly, it is a little difficult to believe that someone who gets introduced in his son's birthday party as a calm headed and understanding person could turn so violent. The future episodes could have something in store to justify this and I do not rule out the possibility of the rug being pulled from under though it doesn't seem plausible at this point.

Amit Sadh was the one who stood out for me in these initial episodes. A honest but drunken cop unable to cope with his past is quite a regular character in our films. But Amit is brilliant here and plays it subtly. As someone who could explode at any point but whose better sense prevails he makes Kabir Sawant as the most relatable character thus far.You can sense his guilt, seething anger, helplessness and a passion for his job - all at once. The other actors are adequate and it helps that most of them are given a certain space to ensure that we get a picture of their lives as well. Take for instance the cop playing Kabir's assistant who is undergoing a midlife crisis with respect to his sex life. We are not sure if it adds on to anything in relation to the plot but it certainly ensures that we have a certain colour added to these supporting characters and not merely names occupying the laptop screen.

The production values are good and give an overall polished look. The best aspect is that there is no effort to make things look flashy in an attempt to show that this is by no means a lesser medium of entertainment in terms of scale. Everything looks in place to support the story being narrated and in tune with the place of action.

What we have had so far is not edge of the seat thrill but a setting up of things in an interesting and engaging manner with adequate importance being tied to emotions. The cat and mouse game between Kabir and Danny is what could be ensuing in the rest of the series. A battle between someone fighting guilt over a personal loss and someone who is willing to go any extreme to prevent such a loss in his life.