What Is I Am Breathing About?
The premise of I Am Breathing in 283 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a quiet corner of contemporary Britain, Neil Platt faces a reality that reshapes every ordinary moment. At thirty‑four, the charismatic, quick‑witted man receives a diagnosis that will soon leave him unable to move beyond his neck, granting him only a handful of months before the disease claims his voice. Rather than succumb to despair, he chooses to confront the inevitable with a blend of gallows humor and earnest curiosity, turning the looming funeral into a canvas for self‑reflection.
The film’s world is built on the delicate texture of daily life amplified by the constraints of a body that refuses to cooperate. Through a mix of personal blog entries, candid narration, and intimate footage, the audience is invited to share in the quiet absurdities that persist—whether it’s the simple frustration of a task that once seemed trivial or the lingering echo of laughter from past adventures. The tone balances gentle melancholy with a resilient optimism, emphasizing the astonishing adaptability of humans when pressed against their limits. Light‑hearted moments punctuate the narrative, reminding viewers that humor can be a lifeline even as time slips away.
At the heart of the story is Neil’s quiet determination to leave something lasting for his infant son, Oscar. He begins composing a heartfelt letter and curates a memory box, hoping the words and objects will one day answer the questions his child may ask about a father he will barely remember. This act of legacy‑building serves as both an emotional anchor and a philosophical probe, prompting contemplation of what truly matters when the ordinary is stripped to its essentials. The film invites audiences to reconsider how we value the fleeting, ordinary moments that define a life well lived.
What Happens in I Am Breathing?
The complete story of I Am Breathing, from the first scene to the last, in 424 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 2 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
I AM BREATHING follows the year in the life of Neil Platt, a lively, funny British man whose world is upended by a diagnosis of ALS—also known as MND or Lou Gehrig’s disease. In a relatively short span, this devasting illness progresses to paralyzing him from the neck down, yet the film stays anchored in his voice, warmth, and unwavering spirit. As the body fails, his perspective shifts, and while his humor persists, a new, hard-won wisdom begins to surface: “It’s amazing how adaptable we are when we have to be. It’s what separates us and defines us as human beings.”
With time seemingly limited and his ability to speak still intact, he begins to write a letter and assemble a memory box for his baby son Oscar Platt. The film uses his own blog as the spine of the narrative, letting his candid posts carry us through the arc of a life that is at once ordinary and extraordinary. Through these entries, we hear his thoughts on love, the thrill of youth, and the everyday rituals that give meaning to existence, all rendered with a directness that invites trust and reflection.
The storytelling blends his plainspoken reflections with intimate imagery—the quiet pleasure of a shared kiss, the exhilaration of late-night parties, the rush of a fast motorbike ride, and the simple joy of family and friends gathered around a table. Each memory is framed by sensory detail, turning small moments into something richly meaningful and universal. The film doesn’t shy away from pain or loss; instead, it presses against them with humor and honesty, showing how a life can feel complete even as time narrows.
In this deeply personal chronicle, the act of sharing becomes a form of resilience. His blog posts form the film’s narration, guiding us through memories, hopes, fears, and the stubborn optimism that keeps him engaged with the world he loves. By placing the audience inside his experience, the documentary asks us to consider our own priorities and the ways we choose to live when mortality is near.
It’s amazing how adaptable we are when we have to be. It’s what separates us and defines us as human beings.
As the final chapters unfold, I AM BREATHING presents a powerful portrait of a life fully felt—loved, celebrated, and openly faced. It is a quiet reminder that endurance isn’t about conquering fate but about embracing every moment with honesty, affection, and courage. The film leaves us with a lingering sense that ordinary days, when lived with intention, become enduring legacies.
I Am Breathing Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Healthy, humorous life in Britain” to “Endurance, humor, and legacy”. 12 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Healthy, humorous life in Britain
Neil Platt begins as a healthy, thirty-something British man with a great sense of humor. He enjoys everyday joys, loves and friendships, and the energy of youth. The tone is warm and funny, which sets up the contrast with what comes next.
When:Pre-diagnosis Where:Britain
- 2
Diagnosis and rapid progression to paralysis
Within a year, Neil is diagnosed with ALS/MND. His body grows progressively weaker, eventually leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. The film tracks the abrupt shift from vitality to vulnerability.
When:Within a year of onset Where:Home/Hospital in Britain
- 3
New perspective on life emerges
As his mobility decreases, Neil's perspective on life shifts, but his humor endures. He learns to notice what truly matters and to adapt to new limitations. The transformation is intimate and quietly powerful.
When:During illness Where:Home
- 4
Paralyzed from the neck down
The disease leaves him completely paralyzed from the neck down, requiring constant care. He relies on his care team and loved ones, reshaping daily routines and independence. The experience reframes ordinary tasks as shared achievements.
When:Late stage of illness Where:Home
- 5
Knowing only months left
Neil learns he has only a few months to live, which sharpens his focus on documenting his experiences. He decides to tell his story rather than withdraw from life. The looming deadline drives his creative plan.
When:Late stage Where:Home
- 6
Creating a letter and memory box for his son
He assembles a letter and memory box for his baby son Oscar, providing tangible keepsakes and messages. This becomes a deliberately crafted act of legacy-building. The gesture links present struggle to future moments of fatherhood.
When:During illness Where:Home
- 7
Blog as narration
Neil communicates through blog posts that form the film's narration. The blog threads memories and impressions of life as it unfolds. This storytelling choice keeps his voice central even as his body weakens.
When:During illness Where:Online/blog platform
- 8
Memories of love, friends, and speed
The film revisits joyful memories: falling in love, partying with friends, and fast motorbike rides. These scenes contrast with his illness and remind viewers of vitality. They anchor his enduring humanity amid decline.
When:Throughout life Where:Various
- 9
Direct storytelling and sensory imagery
The film's narration is direct and unguarded, paired with vivid sensory images of a life well lived. It keeps his voice intimate even as medical details surround him. The approach emphasizes immediacy and authenticity.
When:Throughout Where:Film screen
- 10
Sharing a final journey to prompt reflection
By documenting his journey, Neil invites viewers to question their own lives and how they live. His openness makes the final months feel like a universal invitation to appreciate ordinary moments. The film becomes a catalyst for introspection.
When:End Where:Audience/screen
- 11
Revaluing the ordinary
Images of a life well lived highlight ordinary moments that many take for granted. The narrative encourages viewers to notice everyday joys anew. It shows resilience by finding meaning in small experiences.
When:Throughout illness Where:Home and everyday life
- 12
Endurance, humor, and legacy
The film closes with Neil's enduring humor and a testament to human adaptability. His final messages linger, shaping how viewers think about life, death, and storytelling. It remains a personal testament to a life lived fully.
When:End Where:Film's conclusion
Who Are the Main Characters in I Am Breathing?
2 characters, among them Neil Platt (Himself) and Oscar Platt: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- NP
Neil Platt (Himself)
Played by Neil Platt
Neil is a British man whose daily life is transformed by ALS. Despite progressive physical decline, his humor remains intact and his outlook becomes more reflective as he documents his final months. He narrates the film through a direct, unflinching blog, shaping the viewer’s understanding of life’s value.
- 🎗️ Protagonist
- 🧭 Narrator
- 🗒️ Blogger
- 👨👦 Father
- OP
Oscar Platt
Played by Oscar Platt
Oscar Platt is Neil's baby son, the future recipient of his letters and memories. His presence anchors the documentary as Neil aims to document meaningful moments for his child. The film uses Oscar's existence to highlight the fragility and value of everyday life.
- 👶 Child
- 🧡 Family
- 🧭 Legacy
Where and When Is I Am Breathing Set?
I Am Breathing is set in United Kingdom (Early 21st century). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Early 21st century
Takes place over roughly one year as ALS progressively incapacitates Neil Platt. The period reflects modern attitudes toward illness, family, and personal storytelling. The narration is anchored by Neil's blog and memory box, grounding the events in a contemporary context.
Where
United Kingdom
Set in the United Kingdom, the film follows a British family through the intimate lens of a personal documentary. It centers on home-based scenes that reveal how daily life continues amid a life-altering diagnosis. The UK setting contributes to the film's straightforward, down-to-earth storytelling.
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- 🎬 Documentary
- 🏡 Everyday life
What Are the Themes of I Am Breathing?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Resilience, Memory and Joy and Suffering.
-
01
Resilience
The film centers on Neil's enduring humor and adaptability in the face of a terminal illness. It shows how everyday joys—love, friendship, and the sense of life—are preserved by determination. The narrative demonstrates how resilience redefines what it means to be alive.
-
02
Memory
Neil's letters and memory box, paired with blog posts, turn experience into a lasting record for his son Oscar. The film emphasizes memory as a tool to communicate meaning beyond spoken words. It invites viewers to reflect on what people choose to leave behind.
-
03
Joy and Suffering
The story blends moments of laughter with devastating illness, highlighting the complexity of human life. It shows how relationships adapt under strain, and how humor can coexist with hardship. This duality makes the film both intimate and universal.
What Kind of Film Is I Am Breathing?
Bittersweet in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Sad
A deeply moving and intimate documentary that balances the profound sadness of a terminal diagnosis with a hopeful look at life's beautiful moments, leaving viewers reflective and emotionally stirred.
- reflective
- melancholic
- hopeful
- sad
- intimate
- tragic
- terminal illness
- mortality
- father and son
- legacy
Content notes: terminal illness, death, degenerative disease.
Quiz
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Where to Watch I Am Breathing
Stream it on DocAlliance Films, or rent or buy it from DocAlliance Films. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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