I’m not sure exactly what it is venerated Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci is trying to say with his latest risqué offering, but narrative ambiguity is but one of several attributes that make “The Dreamers” a worthwhile — if somewhat flawed — film. At times, this meditation on reckless youth and political turmoil in 1968’s Paris may leave you feeling lost and frustrated, but you cannot help but also feel that even when he’s missing the mark, Bertolucci’s incomparable perception of the human condition is inspirational. This movie is undeniably provocative, something inherent to the Italian director’s work, yet sorely lacking in modern American cinema. “The Dreamers” will make you think — though, at times, unfortunately, you may be thinking something along the lines of “What the hell is going on?”
What’s going on when we meet American exchange student Matthew (Michael Pitt) is a revolution. The popular director of the Cinematheque Francaise has been relieved of his duties by the French government, and the students who adore his taste in rare movies have taken to the streets in protest. There, Matthew meets seductive brother and sister Theo (Louis Garrel) and Isabelle (Eva Green), who take him under their wing and, ultimately, into their home (the folks, conveniently, head off on a month-long holiday). The three leads are green enough not to recognize or care about the ridiculousness of their overwrought musings on life, the universe and everything. And that’s the point — aren’t we all a bunch of pompous asses at that age? And being French pompous asses, Theo and Isabelle, are prone to saying and doing especially outrageous things, which is quite bewitching for young Matthew. Doubly so once they all start getting naked. And once they start, they don’t stop, either. The full frontal variety that, in George Dubya’s America, will (and did) garner an NC-17 rating. All the youthful self-discovery and sexual experimentation very effectively pulled off by this talented trio of actors is accompanied by a wicked soundtrack that includes Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Edith Piaf. (Rated NC-17 for explicit sexual content. Running time: 116 minutes)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 13, 2004. Read the original PDF.