Breathing Happy

I've read that this is a movie whose main demographic should be addicts and recovering addicts... and while this film may offer unique insight for those groups, I am in neither, and thought this was brilliant and groundbreaking. It is a mindbending look inside the brain and life of a recovering addict as he nears a sobriety milestone, and it is filled with humanity, regret, familial crises, and sadness... yet at the same time shows a world of hope, a sense of humor, and a dogged determination to beat addiction.

Wildly creative, frenetically paced, and vibrantly shot, it is filled with sharp dialogue, hallucinations, magic, and trauma, and probably paints a realistic picture of the struggle for sobriety in the face of immense personal tragedy. I thought it was terrific. Huge props to Shane Brady for writing, directing, editing, and starring in this unique and fascinating film.

I saw this at FilmQuest 2022 it was hands down my personal favorite film of the fest. It's heartbreaking, but heartwarming, it's weird, but so simple, it's a little scary, but also so so funny. Great cinema doesn't need a huge budget and a huge cast -- just a great script, great acting and some filmmaking magic. Highly recommend this one!

The film deals with addiction and family and how those two intersect and bump into each other so often, and yes those topics and intersections can sometimes be triggering, but this film has a lot of honesty wrapped in some absurd and hilarious mind-warps and you are gonna love the film, and never look at the doors in your house the same way again!

It is a little disturbing to revisit demons that plague you when it comes to addiction. With that said, it is always important to never forget where you have come from. The movie is well done and served up with just the right touch of clever wit and humor to keep you watching.

As a recovering addict, I wonder how this movie would have affected me at the beginning of my journey. I think that it would have helped me see that I was not alone while trying to find my way through all of the guilt and shame from damage done.

I would like to see this offered at treatment centers. I think it would be interesting to help folks open up topics for discussion and thought.

I got the great pleasure of seeing this movie at FILMQUEST this year and was very impressed. Sure, it's not a big budget film by any means, but that didn't effect my enjoyment at all. The performances are all top top notch, the direction is fantastic, the shot choices are great, the editing is really strong. It's tremendously funny and touching and sad and challenging all at the same time. It goes to show how a creative storyteller can put something special together with heart and leave a lasting impression. Can't wait to see what Shane and company do next!

Now I need to write more to make my review long enough. :)

I wasn't massively convinced I'd enjoy this film going into the showing. My suspicion was that it would be yet another examination of addiction, another 'messy' life, another selfish protagonist who was horrible to all other humans but for whom I was supposed to feel something other than annoyance (lots of those stories around at the minute, some fantastic, some properly terrible).

But shame on me for doubting, because it was excellent. And the fact that this sort of story is so hard to tell makes it even more laudable. The script strayed into brilliantly off-beat and strange territory where others would have become maudlin. A brilliant performance from Brady - in a role that in other hands could result in a very unlikeable character - kept me invested. There are weirdly funny moments followed by bits where I wanted to cry my eyes out. Beautiful cinematography from Zissimopulos never lets up, keeping us on a relentless, moving, skewed ride through the past and present of the characters. Totally surreal and yet believable.

The thing that sealed it for me was reaction from the audience in the cinema, which will stay with me for a long time. Most looked like they'd just been punched in the gut - in the best way.