The Air I Breathe

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Four interconnected stories, each based on one of the four emotions an ancient Chinese proverb held to be essential to life, comprise the narrative of "The Air I Breathe" (THINKFilm). Together they make up an energetic but seamy study of characters trapped by their own passions.

At the film's axis is a gangster nicknamed Fingers (Andy Garcia), a moniker he gained because of his fondness for cutting off the digits of those who fail to pay their debts. In imminent danger of suffering this fate is a deeply bored businessman turned reckless gambler identified only as Happiness (Forest Whitaker).

Still on Fingers' good side is one of his enforcers, designated Pleasure (Brendan Fraser). Able to glimpse the future but powerless to change it, he considers his clairvoyance a curse. When not beating up on Fingers' recalcitrant clients, Pleasure minds Fingers' visiting nephew, Tony (Emile Hirsch). When one of Pleasure's visions concerning the destiny of this spectacularly vulgar young man fails to come true, it will profoundly alter the henchman's thinking. Most likely to benefit from this conversion is singing star Trista, aka Sorrow (Sarah Michelle Geller), whose contract was acquired by Fingers in payment of her former manager's debts.

Also interested in Trista is a doctor who represents Love (Kevin Bacon). When his best friend's wife, a woman he's silently but passionately worshipped since college, suffers a life-threatening accident, he becomes frantic to save her, and Trista may be able to help.

Novice director Jieho Lee's film, though thoughtfully crafted in some respects, ultimately registers as contrived. Furthermore, the excessive gore and foul language make it unsuitable for all but the hardiest grown-up viewers.

The film contains graphic violence, including mutilation and beatings, upper female and rear nudity, themes of suicide, prostitution and abortion, pervasive rough and frequent crude and crass language, two uses of profanity, sexual references and innuendo. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops