Breathless is a series in the medical drama genre and it is the creation of Carlos Montero Castiñeira. Marta Font and David Pinillo are the directors while Castiñeira, Guillermo Escribano, Carlos Ruano, and Pablo Saiz. We will be doing a review of this Spanish series that premiered on Netflix on August 30th, 2024.
Borefest from the Get-Go
Breathless takes place at a hospital named Valencia and the initial few scenes will quickly remind you of Grey’s Anatomy and all the medical dramas that followed after that. The series focuses on a bunch of people who are residents of that hospital as they are trying to get licenses for their practice.
Meanwhile, we also see how they live their lives. This short description of the show is enough to kill the excitement in you.
Imagine going through all of its episodes. Also titled Respira, this series is essentially Grey’s Anatomy but set in Valencia, Spain. We are introduced to a lot of tropes that are a part of this genre, including people with gloves and masks on.
The story then quickly moves a few months and we see Biel getting introduced. The makers make sure we see his crisp body with abs. It’s hard to wrap your mind around how a doctor has the time to work out so much. But that’s not something you are supposed to think about.
Miles Away from Relatable
People are often seen talking about the handsomeness of Biel in the initial episodes of Breathless. But we are also thrown into the surgical procedures that happen in the hospital. All the good-looking doctors are seen opening wounds, gashes, and sometimes even brains. Scissors, cotton buds surgical masks, and bright lights along with blue robes are a norm.
The eight episodes take us through some stressful situations but the stakes are as high as a puppy. The series is melodramatic but in a stupid way. It never reaches the level of becoming a cringe watch or hate watch. The performances are good but not at all subtle. But there are moments that are quite likable between characters when they showcase their vulnerability.
The actors try to do a good job but they are let down by a very mediocre piece of material. People who have enjoyed medical dramas in the US might have a hard time liking Breathless for the reasons stated above. There are some ups in the series but they are overpowered by the downs.
Conclusion
Breathless revolves around the people of a hospital and how they operate. The series goes in a very melodramatic route to tell a very simple story. Even eight episodes feel too long for this series. There are many meetings that easily could have been a mail.
This series is one of those that could have been a short story. However, everything is not bleak. There are moments, performances, and editing that are the good elements of Breathless. The storyline ends on a nice note with some good things happening to the characters.