The Dreamers
The Dreamers

Movie spotlight

The Dreamers

2003
Movie
115 min
English

When Isabelle and Theo invite Matthew to stay with them, what begins as a casual friendship ripens into a sensual voyage of discovery and desire in which nothing is off limits and everything is possible.

Insights

IMDb6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes56%
Metacritic53/100
Google Users70%
Director: Bernardo BertolucciGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

In 1968 Paris, amidst student protests and civil unrest, an American student, Matthew, befriends a French-Italian couple, Isabelle and Théo. The three bond over their shared love for cinema and retreat into the secluded apartment of Isabelle and Théo's parents. As the outside world erupts, they engage in increasingly intense games of film reenactment and sexual exploration, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'The Dreamers' garnered a mixed reception from critics. While many acknowledged Bertolucci's directorial skill and the film's visually lush aesthetic, some found the narrative lacking and the exploration of themes to be superficial or gratuitous. The performances, particularly from the young lead actors, were often praised.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stylish direction and evocative atmosphere of a turbulent era.

  • Criticized for its explicit content and a plot that some found underdeveloped.

  • The film's exploration of cinematic obsession and youthful rebellion was a recurring theme in discussions.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally highlight the film's sensual and provocative nature, with many appreciating its artistic ambition and aesthetic appeal. However, some viewers found the story to be less engaging than its visual and thematic elements.

Fun Fact

The film was shot in English, French, and Italian, reflecting the international nature of its themes and its characters.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

It's Paris in the springtime, in 1968, and the students are revolting. "Matthew" (Michael Pitt) is visiting from the USA and he encounters the siblings "Theo" (Louis Garrel) and "Isabelle" (Eva Green) with whom he shares a fascination with ...