The Dreamers [DVD] [2003]]

This is an amazing movie. If you have been reading any of these reviews I am sure it goes without saying that it is not for everyone so I won't dwell on that. I will address the nudity/sexual aspects of the film up front by simply repeating what many of the other reviews have said: there is certainly nudity, openly sexual scenes, and a variety of taboos explored in varying degrees, but they are presented rather matter-of-fact and not with strong eroticism (though, I admit that for any red-blooded, heterosexual male, even if she were just sorting socks or filling out a tax return, it would be hard to judge any scene with a nude Eva Green as "not erotic").I believe that the sex primarily reinforces the innocence, or naivete, of the twins' -- Isabelle and Theo's -- private universe where they, as spoiled child-adults, endulge any desire or whim. This is in contrast to the anger and intensity which dominates their pretense at social-activism, driven by simple-minded reaction (war -- bad) to the turbulent times (the 60's). But they are just two sides to the same coin -- they truly are "Dreamers", detached from reality by a wall of denial. When anything happens which forces them to deal with reality, such as having the true nature of their relationship discovered by their parents, the results are not pretty. (Actually, it is a little ambitious to suggest that their parents discovered the true nature of their relationship when it isn't clear that even they understand the true nature of this confusing mix of polyamory, bisexuality, incest, voyeurism, fraternity, obsession, and just a hint of sadomasochism.) Matthew, the young American student whom they "adopt," is torn between the seductive nature of their universe (including his attraction to and love of Isabelle and Theo) and his own grounding in reality -- though he is as young as they are, he possesses a maturity and true thoughtulness which they lack. So long as they all remain primarily isolated in their apartment, their private universe mostly prevails, but in the end their differences in the "real" world is what tears them apart.The acting is superb throughout -- there is some very impressive work here. The cinematography is also excellent and the use of clips from classic films is brilliant, reinforcing not only the establishment of the characters' love of cinema but also the degree to which these "dreamers" are lost within their fantasies. The ending is amazing and rather abrupt. (mild spoiler alert) It will likely leave most viewers feeling a bit unfulfilled but that fits the movie. The ending likely would leave the characters feeling unfulfilled -- ultimately, no matter how much he wanted to be a part of Isabelle and Theo's universe, Matthew could never remain there. When reality came crashing through, the characters acted according to their nature and their differences severed the bond for good.Some have complained that the film is too slow. It is a bit slow but when doing a character-study, how much "study" is too much? How much is enough? I, personally, was riveted throughout. Those who were not riveted, likely weren't really connecting with the movie anyway and more aggessive editing likely would not have changed that. The movie is not for everyone.The only other Bernardo Bertolucci movie I have seen is "Last Tango in Paris" about which I was not very enthusiastic. It was an impressive film but ultimately I could not buy into the story -- I found the characters and situations ultimately unbelievable and that made all the good things in it difficult to appreciate. The same thing could have happened here -- these characters certainly are not like anyone I know or would even imagine but the acting, the script, and the directing drew me in -- I rather imagine that for many, that was not enough, and they wound up disliking the film as a result. I can't explain why it worked for me and I sure can't say whether it will work for you but the bottom line is, it worked for me. I enjoyed this movie.

Bertolucci's revolutionary film takes place in the tumultous summer of 1968 in which a young American, Matthew (Michael Pitt) has come to Paris to study French. He becames a cinephile and a frequent patron of the Cinemateque Francais, the breeding ground for the New Wave movement. Shortly after the firing of Langlois, he meets fellow cinephiles Isabelle (Eva Green) and Theo (Louis Cassel) and scores an invitation to dinner.That's how it begins, but this movie isn't linear and it cannot be deciphered merely by the order of events. Quite frankly, I was amazed by Fox Searchlight releasing what may be one of the most revolutionary and sexually progressive films of recent years. In the streets, the young and old found their revolutionary voices in 1968 and fought to institute governmental changes, but inside this chic apartment another revolution is taking place as well only this one involves fewer persons.Matthew is clearly enamored of Isabelle and Theo (though this latter relationship isn't as developed as in "The Holy Innocents", which I found took away from the storyline) but he is not transfixed by them. He realizes that though they observe the world, they purposely keep themselves outside of it. Theo's father correctly observes early in the movie that to understand the world and change it, you have to become part of it. This is a lesson Matthew is constantly aware of and tries to pass on to his new friends. The first inkling of how grounded he is in this reality comes with the Zippo scene (my favorite) in which his casual observation of how a simple lighter fits into every possible place. Life allows us to fit into many possible spaces as we constantly change and constantly search for the ideal spot, but the cosmic lesson in it is that we will fit into them and consequently, will fit ideally into the one we pick out. We must allow ourselves to inhabit the spaces and become part of them in order to test the waters all the while and we do this by leaving the comfort of our original spot and become part of the overall world.The sexual relationship between Isabelle and Matthew was passionate, realistic and completely believable. We live in very hypocritical times where nudity has become more taboo than violence and it was a pleasure to see young people making love with all of the intimate gestures that take place between lovers. It obviously takes a great director to pique our cinematic memories and remind us that it takes two nude bodies to make love. The nude scenes between the brother and sister were a bit troublesome to the audience I saw this movie with, but the incestual nature of their relationship in the book has been erased. To me, they just seemed dangerously, asphixiatingly bound to each other, the nudity being just part of said obsession.All three actors do a fine job, but it takes a brave director to end a film with a police action about to take place to the sounds of Edith Piaf's "Je Ne Regrette Rien". Bertolucci understands his young protagonists and knows the many errors they will continue to commit before they pick and choose what is right and what is wrong because he has been there himself. And he regrets nothing. We should all be so lucky.

Classic Movie!