Breathe
Based on the true story of Robin, a handsome, brilliant and adventurous man whose life takes a dramatic turn when polio leaves him paralyzed.
The film earned $5.0M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Breathe (2017) reveals strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Andy Serkis's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 58 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Robin Cavendish
Diana Cavendish
Bloggs Cavendish
Dr. Clement Aitken
Jonathan Cavendish
Main Cast & Characters
Robin Cavendish
Played by Andrew Garfield
A young tea broker who contracts polio and becomes paralyzed from the neck down, yet chooses to live life to the fullest with the support of his wife.
Diana Cavendish
Played by Claire Foy
Robin's devoted wife who refuses to give up on him, advocating for his rights and quality of life despite overwhelming medical opposition.
Bloggs Cavendish
Played by Hugh Bonneville
Robin's loyal and inventive friend who helps design the wheelchair-respirator system that gives Robin mobility and freedom.
Dr. Clement Aitken
Played by Stephen Mangan
A pioneering Oxford professor who becomes an ally in developing assistive technology for disabled individuals.
Jonathan Cavendish
Played by Tom Hollander
Robin and Diana's son who grows up seeing his father as a hero despite his disability.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Robin Cavendish plays cricket and lives an adventurous life in Kenya, full of vitality and freedom. He meets Diana at a tea party, beginning their whirlwind romance.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Robin collapses on the tennis court, paralyzed from the neck down. He is diagnosed with polio and given months to live, told he will never breathe without a respirator.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Diana insists on taking Robin home against medical advice. Robin agrees to leave the hospital, choosing to live rather than wait to die in a ward., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Robin successfully travels to Spain with his family in the specially adapted van. This false victory shows them that a full life is possible, raising the stakes for what they might achieve., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Robin suffers a severe medical crisis and nearly dies. He realizes he cannot continue indefinitely and faces his mortality. The "whiff of death" is literal and immediate., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The family accepts Robin's decision. They choose to celebrate his life rather than mourn prematurely, synthesizing the lesson that dignity and choice define a life well-lived., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Breathe's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Breathe against these established plot points, we can identify how Andy Serkis utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Breathe within the drama genre.
Andy Serkis's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Andy Serkis films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Breathe represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Andy Serkis filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Andy Serkis analyses, see Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Robin Cavendish plays cricket and lives an adventurous life in Kenya, full of vitality and freedom. He meets Diana at a tea party, beginning their whirlwind romance.
Theme
Diana or another character mentions that life is precious and should be lived fully. The theme of choosing life and dignity in the face of impossible circumstances is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Robin and Diana's courtship in Kenya, their wedding, and Diana's pregnancy. We see Robin as a vibrant, active man who loves adventure and sports.
Disruption
Robin collapses on the tennis court, paralyzed from the neck down. He is diagnosed with polio and given months to live, told he will never breathe without a respirator.
Resistance
Robin is hospitalized and wants to die. Diana refuses to give up, despite doctors' grim prognosis. Robin debates whether life is worth living in his condition.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Diana insists on taking Robin home against medical advice. Robin agrees to leave the hospital, choosing to live rather than wait to die in a ward.
Mirror World
Teddy Hall, the inventor/engineer, enters their lives and becomes a key ally. He represents innovation and the refusal to accept limitations, mirroring the theme of defying impossible odds.
Premise
Robin adapts to life at home with Diana and baby Jonathan. Teddy builds a mobile respirator chair, giving Robin unprecedented freedom. Robin and Diana find joy and meaning despite his condition.
Midpoint
Robin successfully travels to Spain with his family in the specially adapted van. This false victory shows them that a full life is possible, raising the stakes for what they might achieve.
Opposition
Robin becomes an activist for disability rights, fighting medical establishment resistance. The physical toll increases, his body weakens, and the sustainability of their lifestyle is questioned.
Collapse
Robin suffers a severe medical crisis and nearly dies. He realizes he cannot continue indefinitely and faces his mortality. The "whiff of death" is literal and immediate.
Crisis
Robin makes the profound decision to end his life on his own terms. Diana and family struggle with this choice, processing grief while Robin is still alive.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The family accepts Robin's decision. They choose to celebrate his life rather than mourn prematurely, synthesizing the lesson that dignity and choice define a life well-lived.
Synthesis
The family gathers for a final celebration. Robin peacefully ends his life surrounded by love, having lived 28 years beyond his initial prognosis. His legacy in disability advocacy is established.
Transformation
Diana and the family reflect on Robin's impact. Where the opening showed a man playing cricket, the closing shows the profound life he lived despite paralysis—proving that life is more than physical ability.