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IMDbPro

The Lover

Original title: L'amant
  • 19921992
  • RR
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
21K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,324
338
The Lover (1992)
Theatrical Trailer from MGM
Play trailer0:57
1 Video
60 Photos
BiographyDramaRomance
In 1929 French Indochina, a French teenage girl embarks on a reckless and forbidden romance with a wealthy, older Chinese man, each knowing that knowledge of their affair will bring drastic ... Read allIn 1929 French Indochina, a French teenage girl embarks on a reckless and forbidden romance with a wealthy, older Chinese man, each knowing that knowledge of their affair will bring drastic consequences to each other.In 1929 French Indochina, a French teenage girl embarks on a reckless and forbidden romance with a wealthy, older Chinese man, each knowing that knowledge of their affair will bring drastic consequences to each other.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
21K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,324
338
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Jean-Jacques Annaud
    • Writers
      • Marguerite Duras(based on the novel)
      • Gérard Brach(adaptation)
      • Jean-Jacques Annaud(adaptation)
    • Stars
      • Jane March
      • Tony Ka Fai Leung
      • Jeanne Moreau(voice)
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Jean-Jacques Annaud
    • Writers
      • Marguerite Duras(based on the novel)
      • Gérard Brach(adaptation)
      • Jean-Jacques Annaud(adaptation)
    • Stars
      • Jane March
      • Tony Ka Fai Leung
      • Jeanne Moreau(voice)
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 105User reviews
    • 32Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 3 wins & 7 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Lover
    Trailer 0:57
    The Lover

    Photos60

    The Lover (1992)
    Jane March and Tony Ka Fai Leung in The Lover (1992)
    Jane March in The Lover (1992)
    The Lover (1992)
    The Lover (1992)
    The Lover (1992)
    The Lover (1992)
    Jane March and Tony Ka Fai Leung in The Lover (1992)
    The Lover (1992)
    The Lover (1992)
    Jane March and Tony Ka Fai Leung in The Lover (1992)
    Jane March and Tony Ka Fai Leung in The Lover (1992)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jane March
    Jane March
    • The young girl
    Tony Ka Fai Leung
    Tony Ka Fai Leung
    • The chinaman
    • (as Tony Leung)
    Jeanne Moreau
    Jeanne Moreau
    • Narrator
    • (voice)
    Frédérique Meininger
    Frédérique Meininger
    • The mother
    Arnaud Giovaninetti
    • The elder brother
    Melvil Poupaud
    Melvil Poupaud
    • The younger brother
    Lisa Faulkner
    Lisa Faulkner
    • Helene Lagonelle
    Xiem Mang
    • The chinaman's father
    Philippe Le Dem
    • The French teacher
    Ann Schaufuss
    • Anne-Marie Stretter
    Quach Van An
    • The driver
    Tania Torrens
    • The Principal
    Raymonde Heudeline
    • The writer
    Yvonne Wingerter
    • The writer
    Do Minh Vien
    • The young boy
    Hélène Patarot
    Hélène Patarot
    • The assistant-mistress
    Frédéric Auburtin
    Frédéric Auburtin
    • Liner Pianist
    • (uncredited)
    Espérance Pham Thai Lan
    Espérance Pham Thai Lan
    • Femme
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Jean-Jacques Annaud
    • Writers
      • Marguerite Duras(based on the novel)
      • Gérard Brach(adaptation)
      • Jean-Jacques Annaud(adaptation)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film is based on the autobiographical novel by French author Marguerite Duras, whose youthful, real life romance with a Chinese man in colonial Vietnam caused a scandal.
    • Goofs
      Her lover smokes filtered cigarettes in 1929. They were not invented until the mid-'30s and not in common use until the 1950s.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Narrator: Years after the war, after the marriages, the children, the divorces, the books, he had come to Paris with his wife. He had phoned her. He was intimidated; his voice trembled, and with the trembling it had found the accent of China again. He knew she'd begun writing books. He had also heard about the younger brother's death. He had been sad for her. And then he had no more to tell her. And then he told her - he had told her that it was as before, that he still loved her, that he would never stop loving her, that he would love her until his death.

    • Alternate versions
      Available on video in two versions: the 103 min. R-rated cut and a much more explicit 115 min. unrated cut.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Jennifer 8/The Lover/Aladdin/Passenger 57/Flirting (1992)
    • Soundtracks
      Waltz in B minor Opus 69 No. 2
      Written by Frédéric Chopin (as Chopin)

      Performed by Howard Shelley

    User reviews105

    Review
    Top review
    One of the greatest films about sexual awakening
    Based on the semi-autobiographical novel of Marguerite Duras, who was born in French colonial Vietnam, this film chronicles the sexual awakening of a young French girl who falls passionately in love with a Chinese scion of a rich trading family who have his marriage already arranged. They make love passionately in a way which more truthful than is usual on the screen. This film is intensely visual, written by a major French script writer, Gerard Brach, and narrated by the powerful world weary voice of Jeanne Moreau. If you have experienced consuming sexual passion and the pain which it can engender, you will understand this film. If you haven't, this film will give you that vicarious experience. It is all the more truthful because although the relationship is interracial, the passion transcends, whereas the cultural differences block the fulfilment of their true love. It is about how people miss love trapped by convention and common sense. This is a flawless film, beautifully shot--a minor classic, much under-appreciated.
    helpful•62
    5
    • Antonius-5
    • Jun 2, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 30, 1992 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • El amante
    • Filming locations
      • Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
    • Production companies
      • Films A2
      • Grai Phang Film Studio
      • Renn Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,899,194
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $181,147
      • Nov 1, 1992
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,013,090
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
      • LC-Concept Digital Sound
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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