Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Breathe is a disturbing (subtitled) French 2014 drama about 17-year-olds struggling with and acting out over the weight of their parents' messy lives. One girl's father keeps leaving, and her mother keeps taking the dad back for make-up sex the girl can hear. Another lies to cover up her mother's debilitating alcoholism. She habitually mimics the alternating aggression and sweetness she experiences from her drunk mother, and that leads to painful relationships and, ultimately, tragedy. The high schoolers engage in bullying, smoking cigarettes and marijuana, and also what would be underage drinking in the United States. (Wine and beer are legal for 16-year-olds in France.) Sex is discussed, and kissing is seen. A beach towel momentarily slips to reveal a breast and part of a behind. Profanity includes "s--t" and "f--k."
Sexual
Content
Divorcing parents can be heard in the next bedroom loudly making love. High school kids talk about virginity and having sex. A girl says she tried to have sex in ninth grade but it hurt too much. Two teenage girls sleep in the same bed but don't have sex. An 18-year-old girl tongue-kisses a boy her age. A beach towel momentarily slips to reveal a breast and part of a behind.
Violence
A girl is seen after she has been slugged in the face by her alcoholic mother. Bullying is seen, both with face-to-face words and through graffiti and harassing phone calls. A girl suffers severe asthma attacks.
Language
"S--t," "f--k," "jerk."
Social
Behavior
Use your words instead of your fists. Confused teens, even if they are basically nice, are capable of violence. Kids can be damaged by their imperfect parents. Some people thrive by being cruel to others. Some teens lack the self-esteem to stay away from attractive but toxic friends.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Kids engage in what would be considered underage drinking in the United States. Kids smoke both cigarettes and marijuana. A father offers his 17-year-old daughter a cigarette.
