Thomas’s review published on Letterboxd:
The most attractive leading trio ever? I´m not arguing against it. This was my third watch of “The Dreamers” and now I´m at the point where I can admit that it´s one of my favorite movies, as controversial as it may be. If it wasn´t for the cinematic perfection that is “The Conformist”, it would be my favorite Bernardo Bertolucci movie. The cocktail of cinema, sex, politics, and coming of age is simply intoxicating to me, especially since it´s presented with such elegant camerawork, sumptuous production design, playful editing, evocative music, and charismatic performances. “The Dreamers” brims with life, sensuality, and the spirit of youth, which is characterized by sexual experiments, social transgressions, newfound freedom, idealism, heightened emotions, and naivety. In a behind-the-scenes interview, Bertolucci said that he regrets that he didn´t make a movie about youth while he was young himself, so he felt the need to make at least one before he died. I think there is a great synergy between the old director´s nostalgic, experienced view on youth and the young actors´ authentic, in-the-moment portrayal of youth. Furthermore, I appreciate movies that allow the tension of moral ambiguity. It´s hard to imagine that this film could have been made in a Hollywood system where right and wrong have to be clearly spelled out. One aspect of “The Dreamers” that speaks to me personally is how it portrays both the allure and the danger of arrested development. Who always dreams will never grow and truly live. Then again, who never dreams will probably lead a very dull life…..that´s why I love to return to Isabelle, Theo, and Matthew now and then to indulge in their dreams together with them.
I really had fun reading my previous review, so I just copy it here
The hangout film for horny cinephiles.
Or how an Italian director tries to out-French the French by making the most French movie possible (apart from being mostly in English): lots of cigarettes, a loose narrative, deep conversations about art, philosophy, and politics, and beautiful people being naked a lot. The film ticks all the boxes.
“The Dreamers” is an unconventional yet resonating coming of age film, a fascinating time capsule of Paris 1968, and a captivating as well as thought-provoking meditation on the relationship between cinema, sex, and politics.
Is it indulgent? Yes, but I love it. Passionate film buffs discussing movies and recreating their favorite scenes, while also having free-spirited sex and planning the revolution, is my kind of comfort film. Especially when the film buffs are as ridiculously attractive as Isabelle, Theo, and Matthew. Eva Green is especially mesmerizing and enchanting and the clear standout, but Michael Pitt and Louis Garrel are also great. The three have fantastic chemistry and their complex and complicated relationship dynamic is intriguing and weirdly endearing despite being strange and ultimately unhealthy. I love the dialogue and I often felt the urge to participate in their discussions.
The film is a love letter to cinema and full of references, some obvious and some much more subtle. In the year between my first watch and this rewatch, I´ve seen many more Golden Age Hollywood classics and French New Wave films, which is why I noticed and understood more references than before. That was a nice feeling. I´m sure that I will discover something new with every rewatch.
Furthermore, “The Dreamers” is masterfully crafted. The sublime cinematography, beautifully composed shots, gorgeous production design, hypnotic atmosphere, and phenomenal soundtrack make it a feast for both eyes and ears. It´s simply marvelous.
The film oozes a youthful spirit and a great sense of freedom, sensuality, and joy of life. Sexual revolution and political revolution are shown as connected, with cinema being a strong influence on both. The movie is also about young people forming their identity. Theo and Isabelle call themselves “children of the cinema” and they have based their whole personas on their favorite movies (I feel called out). Yet their bravado only hides their uncertainty, insecurity, and fear of the real world. That´s why they make up their own little secluded world to dream, experiment, and search for purpose. They see cinema and sex as forms of revolution, but they use them more as ways of escapism.
Of course, this dream world couldn´t last forever. In fact, it almost killed them and ironically, it is reality that saves their lives, in form of a brick that is thrown through their window. The real world is out there on the streets. At this point, at least Matthew realizes that he has to grow up and move on. Cinema and sex will probably not safe the world, but it was a nice thought. He can´t follow Isabelle and Theo into their fantasy world anymore, but what a beautiful fantasy it was.
You can call the film pretentious; I find it aesthetically pleasing, nostalgic, engrossing, and evocative.
Ah, to sit in a bathtub with Eva Green and discuss movies. What a life, even if it doesn´t last long.
