Breathless: one can intellectually understand what Jean-Luc Godard was going for in his famous debut, but still be left cold by it. (This is, of course, a truism about looking at any piece of art.) It is true much of the prevailing filmic grammar was subverted, but all serving a dull story that also has more than a hint of pretentiousness. The film follows a small-time crook who is on the run, and he needs money and wants his girlfriend to accomplish that. While one can understand his infatuation with the girl (and his need for money), it is hard to buy what she sees in him; the character is very insipid in his unlikeability. None of this is on the shoulders of the cast: Jean-Paul Belmondo has the rough look of a born thug, and walks the walk as well, while Jean Seberg, as the gamine wannabe journalist, exudes smartness and charm. Composer Martial Solal’s jazzy score is very insistent but interesting.