The Dreamers (2003)

A young American studying in Paris in 1968 strikes up a friendship with a French brother and sister. Set against the background of the '68 Paris student riots.

Director:

Bernardo Bertolucci

Writers:

Gilbert Adair (screenplay), Gilbert Adair (based on the novel)

Stars:

Michael Pitt, Louis Garrel, Eva Green

2 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Michael Pitt	...	Matthew
Eva Green	...	Isabelle / Sister
Louis Garrel	...	Theo / Brother
Anna Chancellor	...	Mother
Robin Renucci	...	Father
Jean-Pierre Kalfon	...	Self
Jean-Pierre Léaud	...	Self (as Jean-Paul Leaud)
Florian Cadiou	...	Patrick
Pierre Hancisse	...	First Buff
Valentin Merlet	...	Second Buff
Lola Peploe	...	The Usherette
Ingy Fillion	...	Theo's Girlfriend

Storyline

Paris, spring 1968. While most students take the lead in the May 'revolution', a French poet's twin son Theo and daughter Isabelle enjoy the good life in his grand Paris home. As film buffs they meet and 'adopt' modest, conservatively educated Californian student Matthew. With their parents away for a month, they drag him into an orgy of indulgence of all senses, losing all of his and the last of their innocence. A sexual threesome shakes their rapport, yet only the outside reality will break it up.

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Plot Keywords:

female full frontal nudity | menage a trois | brother sister relationship | 1960s | brother sister incest | 

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Taglines:

A new film by director Bernardo Bertolucci

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated NC-17 for explicit sexual content

Did You Know?

Trivia

Leonardo DiCaprio was offered the role of Matthew, but turned it down because he was in pre-production with The Aviator (2004). Michael Pitt, who bears considerable resemblance to DiCaprio, was cast in his place.

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Goofs

Early in the film, Matthew hides a stolen photograph of Isabelle in his underpants to prevent his hosts from seeing him with it. Later, he loses a contest with Isabelle and is forced by her to strip and the photograph is still inexplicably in his underwear, even though several days have passed and he is wearing completely different clothes.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Matthew: The first time I saw a movie at the cinématèque française I thought, "Only the French... only the French would house a cinema inside a palace."

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Crazy Credits

The end credits scroll down the screen (top-to-bottom), and multi-line entries are written to be read bottom-to-top.

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Alternate Versions

US R-rated version runs ca. 3 minutes shorter than the uncut NC-17-rated version.

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Connections

Referenced in Side Walls (2005)

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Soundtracks

Third Stone from the Sun
(1967)
Written and Performed by Jimi Hendrix
Published by Experience Hendrix LLC
(p) 1967 Experience Hendrix LLC/MCA Records
Courtesy of Experience Hendrix LLC
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises & Universal Music Special Projects France

User Reviews

From Sexual Hedonism To Political Activism

THE DREAMERS (3 outta 5 stars) Interesting project by the renowned director Bernardo Bertolucci... dealing with the events of 1968 in France... a time of great social upheaval, as rioting students took to the streets to shut down the French government. The main characters are a young American student who has come to France to study film... and a very unconventional brother and sister who recruit him to their offbeat lifestyle. All three are obsessed by film (as many young people were in 1968... the glory days of the avant garde)... and also with the concept of breaking rules and societal taboos. With their parents away for the month and the flat to themselves, bets are made on film trivia and the penalties for not identifying a particular moment from a particular film become more and more shocking. Only leaving their home to watch films, the trio are basically oblivious to the growing trouble in the streets... until finally they can sit passively no more. Very intriguing concept and the acting is fine... but ultimately I thought the conclusion fell a little flat... the transition from sexual hedonism to political activism didn't really work for me... it all seemed a little abrupt and could have been explored a little deeper. Worth watching and discussing though.

Details

Country:

UK France Italy USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

20 February 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Dreamers

Filming Locations:

Palais Chaillot, Paris 16, Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$142,632, 8 February 2004

Gross USA:

$2,532,228

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,121,165

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Searchlight Pictures, HanWay Films, Medusa Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min 112 min (R-rated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1