Four Nights of a Dreamer (1971)
"Quatre nuits d'un rêveur" (original title)

The 'dreamer' is Jacques, a young painter, who by chance runs into Marthe as she's contemplating suicide on the Pont-Neuf in Paris. They talk, and agree to see each other again the next ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Bresson

Writers:

Robert Bresson, Fyodor Dostoevsky (short story "White Nights")

Stars:

Isabelle Weingarten, Guillaume des Forêts, Jean-Maurice Monnoyer

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Isabelle Weingarten	...	Marthe
Guillaume des Forêts	...	Jacques
Jean-Maurice Monnoyer	...	Marthe's Lover
Giorgio Maulini	...	Locksmith
Lidia Biondi	...	Marthe's Mother
Patrick Jouané	...	Gangster

Storyline

The 'dreamer' is Jacques, a young painter, who by chance runs into Marthe as she's contemplating suicide on the Pont-Neuf in Paris. They talk, and agree to see each other again the next night. Gradually, he discovers that her lover promised to meet her on the bridge that night, and he failed to turn up. Over the next couple of nights, Jacques falls in love with her - but on the fourth night her original lover returns...

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Plot Keywords:

night | lover | love | bridge | painting | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

2 February 1972 (France)

Also Known As:

Four Nights of a Dreamer

Filming Locations:

Pont Neuf, Paris 1, Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Albina Productions S.a.r.l., I Film Dell'Orso, Victoria Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Quotes

Marthe: What's the matter?
Jacques: I love you. That's the matter.

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Connections

Referenced in Poetry in Motion (1982)

User Reviews

Striking cinematography and an intelligent script make for a fascinating film

"Four Nights of a Dreamer" is my first Robert Bresson film, and my first impression of his style and ethos. This film is one of several adaptations of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "White Nights", but from what I gather from reading about the other adaptations this is the only one worth seeing other than Luchino Visconti's lovely "Le notti bianche". While I enjoyed that film nearly as much as this one, "Four Nights of a Dreamer" is more striking and ambitious, thanks to Bresson's intelligent and thoughtful screenplay and the beauty of the cinematography and simple economy of Bresson's direction.

The adaptation is loose, but needs to be. Dostoyevsky's writing is too reliant on the reader's perception and the emotional core of the story to be effective when literally translated to film, but is ripe for interpretation, and Bresson's is particularly interesting as he moves the story to 1970's France, introduces more emotion and passion to the characters, and actually makes the cinematic cliché of the aimless artist interesting and involving.

The story is simple, Jacques (the 'dreamer') meets Marthe as she is about to commit suicide because her lover had promised to meet her that night after being away at Yale for a year but hadn't shown up, they become friends, share their stories over four nights until Marthe's lover shows up and they are forced to part. Bresson's script is remarkable, though, in its occasional wit and humor, in the uniqueness of its characters, in its observations on modern life and being in love. Even more impressive than the screenplay is the striking cinematography by Pierre Lhome, particularly during the nighttime scenes in Paris, which is shockingly beautiful at times.

My first impression of a legendary director like Bresson could have resulted in disappointment, but I am now interested in exploring his filmography because I found his mute style so appealing. Most interesting was his ability to be very literal and clear through his use of the camera without seeming heavy-handed at any point. This is a wonderful, strikingly beautiful film.

9/10