Matthew
(Michael Pitt) is an American studying in Paris. He is passionate
about watching films, both good and bad, anything as long as it is
film. It is during the political turmoil of Paris
in 1968 that Matthew discovers a new passion of his when he meets
Isabelle (Eva Green) and Theo (Louis Garrel), incestuous twins who
invite Matthew to stay with them while their parents are away on
holiday.
The three explore
their newfound sexuality, in turn touching, ridiculing and then
touching each other some more while becoming more and more enwrapped
in their own little world which is confined to their parents’
apartment. The confines of the apartment are broken both figuratively
and literally when the political uprising that has been boiling
pierces the bubble they have formed around themselves.
CRITIQUE
The packaging
for The Dreamers DVD contains words such as love,
passionate, and lust. I found few if any of these things in a
movie that begins to explore the Cinephile movement in Paris, a
time of revolution and true passion over film, but chooses instead
to focus on the meeting of three adolescents who like to touch
pee-pees.
The kids speak of
passion, and debate films, who is funnier, Keaton or Chaplin?
Meanwhile though, they have no money and can’t fend for themselves, it
is in their own heads that they are intelligent and politically aware
individuals. They have no life experience and romanticize the films
they watch, believing that reenacting scenes from a film will bring
them the emotional experiences that they witnessed on the screen.
I haven’t seen this
much male frontal nudity in awhile and feel that director Bernardo
Bertolucci was using the nudity and masturbation scenes more for shock
effect than for art’s sake. He does however cut in scenes from movie
classics, including Goddard’s Breathless. This is an
interesting effect and a nice nod to excellent filmmaking, but it made
me realize that I should be watching the classic movies rather than
The Dreamers.
I don’t care for
Michael Pitt, his acting hasn’t grown since his days on Dawson’s
Creek, and the character he portrays here doesn’t seem intelligent
enough to have the deep conversations he is having. Eva Green, making
her film debut, is playful and coy and is the most talented of the
three. Louis Garrel captures the pride and demeanor of a French man;
then again, he is French.
The Dreamers
chooses an unusual dichotomy in balancing a political uprising with
incestual sex. The two seem to have little to do with each other, and
each aspect could have made for a strong stand alone piece, however
the sum does not equal the quality of the parts and instead The
Dreamers is a disappointment.
THE VIDEO
The Dreamers
is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. Bertolucci uses a
lot of natural lighting and this gives the film a more personal
feel. Video quality looks very nice; no major flaws, a mostly
clean presentation.
THE AUDIO
The Dreamers
is presented in 5.1 Dolby Surround with options for Spanish and
French Dolby Surround. It can also be subtitled in English, or
Spanish. The sound was crisp and clear.
THE EXTRAS
Feature
Commentary by Director Bernardo Bertolucci, Writer Gilbert Adair
and Producer Jeremy Thomas.
The commentary gets into casting, transforming the original
novel into a screenplay, shot choices and many other things. The
track is informative however the three speakers are extremely
dry.
Bertolucci Makes
The Dreamers Documentary
is probably the single most interesting part of the DVD. Bertolucci
was alive and in France
during the Cinephile era. He has great knowledge of it, and it seems
to me that he should have made a film centered on this movement. This
documentary also offers some behind the scenes footage with the
actors.
Outside the Window:
Events in France, May, 1968
featurette.
This feature includes some more background information on the
political situation in France during the sixties, and furthers my
opinion that the focus of the film should have been shifted. Much of
the same information is covered in the documentary, making this
feature seem unnecessary.
Michael Pitt’s
Music Video “Hey Joe”, directed by Bertolucci, is next. This is
the music video for a song from the film, I was surprised to hear
Michael Pitt (Matthew) singing and was pleasantly surprised by his
singing.
Theatrical Trailers:
The Dreamers and GardenState teaser trailer.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Dreamers
is a film that has too much to say. It needed to find its focus to
come across better. The film hits on interesting topics, but chooses
the less interesting route and explores the sexuality of young
adolescents. I would recommend reading the book over watching the
film.
