Breathing Room (1996)

User Rating:

4.0/10   

Director:

Jon Sherman

Writers:

Tom Hughes (story)
Tom Hughes (writer) ...

Release Date:

8 November 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

She's Kathy, a comix cartoonist; he's David, teaching English to new immigrants. It's New York City...

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Susan Floyd	...	Kathy
Dan Futterman	...	David
Joanna Chang	...	Cashier
Jianzhung Gu	...	Grocer
Steve Naidich	...	Korean Market Patron #1
Chris McGinn	...	Korean Market Patron #2
Michael Chenevert	...	Korean Market Patron #3
Frances Mazzuka	...	Korean Market Patron #4
Sharon Angela	...	Additional Patron
Amy Hohn	...	Cousin Judy
Rod McLachlan	...	Cousin Andy
Nadia Dajani	...	Claire
Saverio Guerra	...	Tony
Stryker Hardwicke	...	Larry
Maribel Vasquez	...	Madame Vasquez

Also Known As:

'Til Christmas (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:R

Company:

Eureka Pictures

Soundtrack:

No One's Little Girl

A small, independent, romantic comedy

Kathy (Susan Floyd) is a cartoonist with an on-again, off-again boyfriend, David (Dan Futterman). Although they have gone together two years, they have broken up five times, only to resume the relationship. Kathy is a stable businesswoman who longs for a commitment. David, however, has held a variety of jobs. At present, he's an English teacher of new immigrants; he's also applying for a job in Vietnam. To make matters worse, while David can tell Kathy he loves her in several different languages, he can't say it in English. After a Thanksgiving dinner with Kathy's relatives (which David was supposed to cook but didn't), they have yet another argument. The result? The couple decides to part company until Christmas; each will assess the relationship for a month. Will it be possible, with help from friends and relatives, for Kathy and David to find a permanent solution to their problems?

This is a slight, sweet story told in a quiet manner. There are no "big scenes", only lots of little, sometimes touching, conversations strung together. The script does boast some light humor, too. When David gets together with his parents expect chuckles; Mother and Dad have come to the conclusion that their son is not only flighty but gay. Also, Kathy's fellow cartoonists are the incarnation of nerdy weirdos. Even with these bursts of comedy, however, the film just doesn't have that elusive universal appeal. But, fans of romantic comedies and independent films with sophisticated dialogue will find it an enjoyable watch.