Four Nights of a Dreamer (1971)

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:

bridge | female nudity | kissing | male female relationship | hugging | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

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)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

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

A beautiful, haunting film

Quatre nuits d'un rêveur was shown in the U.S. with the title Four Nights of a Dreamer (1971). It's written and directed by Robert Bresson, based on the short story "White Nights" by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Bresson has moved Dosteovsky's story from 19th Century St. Petersburg to 20th Century Paris, which I think works very well. Both cities are centers of art and romance, and the story and film are all about art and romance.

Jacques, a painter (Guillaume des Forêts), prevents Marthe (Isabelle Weingarten) from committing suicide, and naturally, he falls in love with her. (In view of Ms. Weingarten's sadness and her ethereal beauty, Jacques basically had no choice but to fall in love with her.)

However, we soon learn that Marthe is in love with another man. He has been in the U.S. for a year, and was due home on that day. That fact that he did not call her is what prompted her suicide attempt.

The film follows Marthe and Jacques for the four nights of the title. They walk the streets of Paris, and return to the Seine where musicians on a tourist boat are playing samba music. Jacques is serious about his painting, and discusses art with a friend who comes to visit.

We know something is going to happen, but we don't know what. You'll have to see the film- -or read the short story--to find out what that something is.

Bresson--as always--directs with the secure sure hand of a master. Every shot is beautifully framed, and we can almost feel the Paris night and hear the lapping of the Seine against its banks.

We saw this intense, quiet film at the wonderful Dryden Theatre in Rochester's Eastman House. Other reviewers have noted that it's difficult to purchase on DVD. That's unfortunate, because it would work fairly well on the small screen, and it definitely is worth finding and seeing. It's a jewel-like masterpiece.