The Dreamers (2003)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Bernardo Bertolucci

Writers:

Gilbert Adair (novel)
Gilbert Adair (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 October 2003 (Italy)

Genre:

Drama | History | Romance

Plot:

A young American studying in Paris in 1968 strikes up a friendship with a French brother and sister. Set against the background of the '68 Paris student riots.

Plot Keywords:

French | 1968 | Friendship | Riot | Crotch Shot

Awards:

8 nominations

Cast

Michael Pitt	...	Matthew
Eva Green	...	Isabelle
Louis Garrel	...	Theo
Anna Chancellor	...	Mother
Robin Renucci	...	Father
Jean-Pierre Kalfon	...	Himself
Jean-Pierre Léaud	...	Himself (as Jean-Paul Leaud)
Florian Cadiou	...	Patrick
Pierre Hancisse	...	First Buff
Valentin Merlet	...	Second Buff
Lola Peploe	...	The Usherette
Ingy Fillion	...	Theo's Girlfriend

Also Known As:

Innocents (France)
Paris '68 (UK) (working title)
The dreamers - I sognatori (Italy)

MPAA:

Rated NC-17 for explicit sexual content.; Rated R for strong sexual content and graphic nudity, language and some drug use. (edited version)

Runtime:

115 min | USA:112 min (R-rated version)

Country:

France | UK | Italy

Language:

English | French

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Peru:18 | Taiwan:R-18 | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Canada:R (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | Iceland:16 | Hungary:18 | Israel:18 | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:R | Brazil:16 | Canada:16+ (Québec) | Denmark:11 | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-18 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R21 (cut) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:NC-17 (original rating) | USA:R (cut)

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company:

Recorded Picture Company (RPC)

Trivia:

First film since Orgazmo (1997) that was released theatrically in the US with a NC-17 rating. Even with its NC-17 rating, major theater circuits like Regal and AMC agreed to show this film.

Goofs:

Continuity: Position of the fathers hands, when he realizes Matthew isn't listening to him at the dinner table.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Matthew: The first time I saw a movie at the cinématèque française I thought, "Only the French... only the French would house a cinema inside a palace."

Movie Connections:

References Henri Langlois (1970)

Soundtrack:

La mer

One of the Best Movies of the Year

In 1968, while living in Paris for learning French, the nineteen years old American Matthew (Michael Pitt) meets the also film lovers, amoral and incestuous twins Isabelle (Eva Green) and Theo (Louis Garrel) in the "Cinémathèque Française" in the Palais de Chaillot and they become best friends. They stay together in the twin's apartment, while many social protests are arising on the streets of Paris.

"The Dreamers" has been released on DVD in Brazil a couple of months ago, and it certainly is one of the best movies of the year. The story conflicts the dreams of three youngsters, who breathe and see the world through the cinema, and the reality of life, on the social movements on streets of Paris. The stone through the window of their apartment is a metaphor of the awakening of Isabelle and Theo. The direction is superb, the cinematography and camera are amazing, the erotic story having the background of true events is delightful and the performance of the cast is perfect. The beauty of the unknown Eva Green is very impressive, and I really recommend this outstanding movie. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Os Sonhadores" ("The Dreamers")