The Dreamers

Average rating

(64%)

Starring:	Michael Pitt \| Louis Garrel \| Eva Green \| Robin Renucci \| Anna Chancellor \| Jean-Pierre Leaud
Director:	Bernardo Bertolucci
Studio:	20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time:	110 mins
Genres:	Drama
Languages:	English
Hearing-impaired:	English
Released:	(unknown)
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Bernardo Bertolucci's THE DREAMERS centres on three university students who adore the Cinematheque Francaise, and are fascinated by '60s culture--the music of Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, the films of Jean-Luc Godard, and the writings of Susan Sontag and Chairman Mao. Their philosophical conversations about sexuality, love, politics, activism, and the Vietnam War; and their daily activities--going to the cinema, protesting in support of Henri Langlois, lounging around naked, and smoking dope--are a realistic reflection of the mood and energy of that era.
The plot involves Parisians Theo (Louis Garrel) and Isa (Eva Green), a brother-sister team with a strangely intimate connection. They befriend their American classmate Matthew (Michael Pitt), and invite him to stay at their apartment for a month while their parents are away on holiday. The trio are so engrossed by their film studies that they act out scenes in an ongoing game of trivia, referencing classics like Sam Fuller's SHOCK CORRIDOR, Godard's BANDE A PART, and Frank Tashlin's THE GIRL CAN'T HELP IT. They challenge each other through mind games, deeply personal discussions, and sexual dares. Outside their sheltered apartment, the streets are teaming with violence leading up to the May 1968 Paris uprising. Nouvelle Vague icon Bertolucci weaves clips from classic films into this artful and entertaining movie, while a hard-rock '60s soundtrack adds a palpable edginess.

Rating of 4 stars out of 5

The Dreamers is Bernardo Bertolucci's penetrating look at how youthful rebellion determined to exact social and moral change during the revolutionary spring of 1968. When French twins Louis Garrel and Eva Green invite American fellow student Michael Pitt to stay at their parents' Paris apartment, they test each other's cinematic, emotional, sexual and political ideals to see how far they will go. The fact the trio are film fanatics enables Bertolucci to explore a cineaste edge to their passions, and the vintage film clips — from A Bout de Souffle and Blonde Venus to The Girl Can't Help It and Freaks — give the drama further stylish resonance. Pitt is wonderful as the sexually awakened naif who slowly comes to terms with Euro sophistication and the Blowin' in the Wind tenor of the times. Erotically explicit and unrestrained, this is a stunning return to form from the taboo-challenging director of Last Tango in Paris.

Rating of 1 stars out of 5
Halliwell's Film Guide

Set against the background of the riots that shook France, this intimate drama of a ménage a trois conjures the heady atmosphere of the times and a move from adolescent self-absorption to political action.

Highest rated reviews

29 out of 42 people found the following review helpful:

Weirdly fascinating

Hypno from LONDON, 25th October, 2004

I knew this movie would be strange, and it was. There wasn't really a story to the film, which would make you think it was rubbish wouldn't it? But far from it. The film didn't need a story. (Watch it, and you'll see what I mean). Why? I must admit I'm not quite sure why. Usually, I would be critisising a movie without a story, but this film was just incredibly weird. And that made it incredibly fascinating.

Although in many ways, it was unrealistic, it somehow managed to appear real. This made it so fascinating.

There is a lot of incest, nudity and general weirdness to this movie, but I was transfixed throughout. I wouldn't say I was disappointed it ended, but mysteriously, I wouldn't say I was pleased either. This film has a unique quality to it. It entrances you.

I do recommend it to you - although I suspect the less intelligent amongst you (how dare I!) will struggle with it. But if you're adventurous and like to watch something a bit different, go for it. It was enjoyable throughout, I must say. But that might be because I watched it alone at 2am in the morning. Perhaps the best time to watch it. Certainly not a film to sit down to with a bunch of friends and popcorn. Suitable for close couples or alone. When you watch it, you'll understand perfectly what I mean.

RENT IT!

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11 out of 14 people found the following review helpful:

Misunderstood

Cameron Hammerstein from LEICESTER, England, 4th April, 2004

Other reviewers are a little harsh perhaps.

The plot is weak, I agree. But the characters are amusing and unpredictable. There are some awkward silences but equally there are some moments of madness and hilarity.

Foreign/Arthouse cinema is not for everyone. It can be hit and miss. But what I enjoy most about it, is the lack of inhibition. The approach to taboo subjects, nudity, sexuality and role reversal are explored and embraced.

I only give it 2 stars because of the weak storyline, but I would give it a higher mark for it's boldness and explicitness

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