L'amant (1992)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Jean-Jacques Annaud

Writers:

Jean-Jacques Annaud (writer)
Gérard Brach (writer)

Release Date:

30 October 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

She gave her innocence, her passion, her body. The one thing she couldn't give was her love.

Plot:

In 1929 French Indochina, a French teenage girl embarks on a reckless and forbidden romance with a wealthy, older Chinese man, each knowing that knowledge of their affair will bring drastic consequences to each other.

Plot Keywords:

Chinese | Indochina | Vietnam | Sexual Desire | Limousine

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Jane March	...	The Young Girl
Tony Leung Ka Fai	...	The Chinaman
Frédérique Meininger	...	The Mother
Arnaud Giovaninetti	...	The Elder Brother
Melvil Poupaud	...	The Younger Brother
Lisa Faulkner	...	Helene Lagonelle
Xiem Mang	...	The Chinaman's Father
Philippe Le Dem	...	The French Teacher
Ann Schaufuss	...	Anne-Marie Stretter
Quach Van An	...	The Driver
Tania Torrens	...	The Principal
Raymonde Heudeline	...	The Writer (end)
Yvonne Wingerter	...	The Writer (beginning)
Do Minh Vien	...	The Young Boy
Hélène Patarot	...	The Assistant Mistress

Also Known As:

The Lover (UK)

MPAA:

Rated R on appeal for graphic and explicit sexuality.

Runtime:

115 min | USA:103 min (R-rated version) | USA:115 min (unrated version) | Germany:111 min (25 fps)

Country:

France | UK | Vietnam

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby | LC-Concept Digital Sound

Certification:

Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Iceland:16 | Germany:12 | Italy:T | Argentina:16 | Australia:R | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Hong Kong:III | Portugal:M/18 | Singapore:R(A) (original rating) | Singapore:R21 (re-rating) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:NC-17 (original rating) | USA:R (re-rating on appeal)

Filming Locations:

Ho Chi Min (Saigon), Vietnam

Company:

Films A2

Trivia:

Duras' real Chinese lover was called Lee.

Quotes:

The Elder Brother: Do you want to fight? Take care little buddy. It'd take two of you to do the job.
The Chinaman: Oh no. A lot more than that. Four of me. You have no idea how weak I am...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Une américaine à Paris (2005) (TV)

Wonderfully evocative, refreshingly original, intriguing cinematography.

My wife and I were enraptured and thoroughly enjoyed this gem. Deeply evocative and so real that we nearly felt the rain and hot humidity, we were swept along on this unique journey. The external and newsgroup reviews did not ring true for us. Well OK, the characters were very sad and March delivered stilted lines at times, but there was so much magic to see and hear! She sizzled. He struggled. They both yearned for what could not be.

Those harbour and river scenes were no Hollywood set or computer graphics, but just had to be the real thing: Vietnam! The reviews said 'not erotic' and 'like Penthouse'...?!? Just look beneath the surface: even though both characters are trapped in cultural barriers and subsequently repress so many emotions (especially the girl), they escape into the blissfully unreal world of the rented room where emotions run deep albeit confused.

You will not find the usual American 'formula film' composed of glitz, action, intrigue, syrupy sweetness and a predictable ending. Instead here is a film that is complex yet simple, both beautiful and ugly, about separateness and unions, and the sufferings of those who love but cannot love. We were captivated, enchanted. If you are prudish or do not like 'foreign films', then avoid this film. However, if you have ever travelled in Asia, if you love creative cinematography, if you enjoy small subtleties, if you like an insight into the past and a time of strong desires... then see this film! It was refreshing, and we did not want it to end.