The Dreamers (2003)

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Bernardo Bertolucci

Cast: Michael Pitt, Eva Green, Louis Garrel

Running time: 115 minutes

Matthew left California to go study French in Paris at the end of the 1960’s as an exchange student. During a protest at La Cinématèque, he meets Isabelle and Théo, twin brother and sister, who have a very particular incestuous relationship. Soon, Michael moves in with them and falls madly in love with the lifestyle of having sex and of talking movies, music and books. But, can something so idyllic really last?

Set against the backdrop of the student riots of 1968, in Paris, The Dreamers offers a very compelling look back in time, when young people were trying very hard to liberate themselves and each other, be it sexually, spiritually or politically.

While I found the main characters a little pretentious and annoying at first, they soon became so honest and real to me that they brought me back to my former years of ideals, when we so wanted things to be like in the movies and in the books. I most certainly never got to liberate myself sexually quite as much as Matthew, Isabelle and Théo, but I sure did talk art and dream a lot. There was some solid acting here by all three main actors.

From the director that also gave us Last Tango in Paris, The Dreamers is a very good film about the dreams of youth. Whatever the generation, the kids are always more eager for change. Some scenes, involving nudity, sex and blood, might shock and disgust some people, but it is well worth watching for those open minded enough to take it.

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