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The \u2018based on a true story\u2019 mantra either triggers interest or groans \u2013 the latter from cynics crying \u201cOscar baiting\u201d. However, some tales deserve a little more credit and attention, and Breathe<\/a><\/em> is one such story. The sentimentality is kept firmly in check by debut director Andy Serkis<\/a> (The Lord of the Rings<\/em>\u2019 Gollum) who works here with long-time friend and producer Jonathan Cavendish<\/a> to deliver a truly inspirational and surprisingly upbeat drama about Cavendish\u2019s parents.<\/p>\n Beginning in the 1950s, dashing, active, fun-loving Robin Cavendish (Andrew Garfield<\/a>) is struck down by polio while living in Africa with his pregnant wife, Diana (Claire Foy<\/a>), and is paralysed from the neck down for the rest of his life. Struggling to accept being bed-bound in hospital, Robin becomes depressed, and begs Diana to get him out. So begins an extraordinary life journey that defies the medical profession. When the couple\u2019s friend, Teddy Hall (Hugh Bonneville<\/a>) invents a wheelchair with built-in breathing apparatus this allows Robin to live \u2013 and even travel.<\/p>\n Breathe<\/em> avoids failing into clich\u00e9 on the whole. It has some very funny and uplifting moments, once Robin leaves the confines of the hospital. There is a wonder at what the character will achieve next that prevents the narrative from being bogged down by mawkishness. The central performances from Garfield and Foy are illuminating. The pair has a natural screen rapport that extenuates the bubbly moments of joy and wonderment at the Cavendish\u2019s achievements, while focuses our attention\u00a0on the more serious aspects. Serkis\u2019 care with the source material is such that by the time the inevitable arrives, the viewer is not emotionally drained and actually celebrates the good that has come out of Robin\u2019s situation.<\/p>\n 4\/5 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n By @Filmgazer<\/p>\n