The Dreamers

2003, Drama, 1h 56m

162 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

Though lushly atmospheric, The Dreamers doesn't engage or provoke as much as it should. Read critic reviews

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The Dreamers Photos

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Movie Info

In May 1968, the student riots in Paris only exacerbate the isolation felt by three youths: an American exchange student named Matthew (Michael Pitt) and twins Théo (Louis Garrel) and Isabelle (Eva Green). Having bonded over their mutual love of cinema, Matthew is fascinated by the sense of intimacy shared by Isabelle and Theo, who were born conjoined. When the twins' bohemian parents go away for a month, they ask Matthew to stay at their place, and the three lose themselves in fantasy.
  • Rating:
    NC-17
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Bernardo Bertolucci
  • Producer:
    Jeremy Thomas
  • Writer:
    Gilbert Adair
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $2.5M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Fox
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Dolby SR
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Michael Pitt
Matthew
Eva Green
Isabelle
Louis Garrel
Theo
Robin Renucci
Father
Anna Chancellor
Mother
Florian Cadiou
Patrick
Pierre Hancisse
First Buff
Valentin Merlet
Second Buff
Bernardo Bertolucci
Director
Jeremy Thomas
Producer
Gilbert Adair
Writer
John Bernard
Co-Producer
Fabio Cianchetti
Cinematographer
Jacopo Quadri
Film Editing
Jean Rabasse
Production Design
Eric Viellerobe
Set Decoration
Louise Stjernsward
Costume Design
Eric Viellerobe
Set Dresser
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for The Dreamers

All Critics (162) | Top Critics (50) | Fresh (97) | Rotten (65)
Full Review… David Ansen Newsweek Full Review… Kim Newman Empire Magazine Full Review… Geoff Andrew Time Out Full Review… Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness Full Review… Peter Rainer New York Magazine/Vulture Full Review… Peter Bradshaw Guardian Full Review… Brendan Lemon Out Magazine Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Full Review… Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Full Review… Michael Wood The New York Review of Books Full Review… A.S. Hamrah Reason Online Full Review… Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com
View All Critic Reviews (162)

Audience Reviews for The Dreamers

  • Apr 20, 2016
    Dreamy, romantic and effortlessly weird, the Dreamers plays out less like a film and more like an unfinished script or a thrown away play. It's great and very cool and there's a 50% chance that you were engaged by the film enough to be blown away by its clever ending, but unfortunately I don't think they delved into the themes presented enough, instead they just teased the audience with them. It's angsty melodrama isn't anything new or refreshing. The camera-work is good if a bit boring at times.
    Harry W Super Reviewer
  • Dec 27, 2013
    Although it's far from perfect, The Dreamers is edgy and fast-paced enough to work well as an enthrallingly unusual 1960s period piece and a heartfelt love letter to film.
    Joey S Super Reviewer
  • Dec 02, 2011
    I love artistic films like this one, sex, passion and love is never boring.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Oct 05, 2011
    Wild and ambitious, The Dreamers is a Bernardo Bertolucci masterpiece that candidly declares an erotic affection for cinema with references to Breathless, Band Of Outsiders, and other classics. For cinephiles, The Dreamers is a daring and nostalgic exploration of cinema, sex, and politics with equally daring performances from the talented ménage à trois - Michael Pitt, Eva Green, and Louis Garrel. Strictly for mature audiences only.
    Jan Marc M Super Reviewer
See All Audience reviews

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