Bernardo Bertolucci’s “The Dreamers” is a film that I knew from the start I would have mixed feelings about. Bertolucci is famous for including scenes in his films that are generally frank and sexually explicit, and the end result often mars the finished product. This is not to say that these scenes are any less important to the overall story, but more so that either the point of them is missed by the average movie-going audience, or that they are so shocked or titillated as to miss the point of the entire film. In essence, “The Dreamers” is a terrific coming of age story that while it is set in France of 1968, still raises concerns that are felt by many young people today. The basic premise itself involves a brother and sister (Eva Green and Louis Garel) living in France and the newcomer that comes into their lives. The siblings are, how shall we say, unusually close, and when an American (Michael Pitt) is invited to stay in their home things heat up.

The story is set at a time in France when there were a lot of students rioting in the streets, and though the three find themselves caught up in the action, the film is more introspective and personal in nature.

Yes, there are a number of sexually explicit sequences, and there is an abundant amount of nudity however it is interesting to note somewhat of innocence to it all. The three characters are basically testing the waters as we all did as young people. Most parents don’t want to believe that their teen-agers are experimenting in all manner of sexual exploits out of a combination of curiosity and peer pressure, but the truth is that it is happening all the time. Though this isn’t necessarily a good or smart thing, it doesn’t mean the kids are bad. Even when I was a teen-ager, I did my share of experimentation. Admittedly my exploits were always heterosexual in nature, but I knew of those who tried a lot more than I. I wasn’t a bad kid, and the girls I slept with weren’t sleazy at all. We were all just experimenting. It is an unfortunate fact of life.

“The Dreamers” seems to take some of these ideas of the loss of innocence and experimentation to an extreme, though I could tell you stories of some of my friends who tested much darker and muddier waters than these. Sex aside, thanks to the remarkably frank performances by its cast, this film delivers some very strong character studies that will surely appeal to fans of the cinema (as opposed to fans of movies). Whether or not the sexual scenes were necessary to tell the story is up to the viewer. Personally, I feel as though they could have softened the blow some, but there is no denying the reality it brought to the experience of watching it. What is interesting to note is that in watching the film, the nudity and sex began to take a back seat to the story. Watching what was happening emotionally to these characters became more interesting than what they were doing physically and here is where I feel that Bertolucci succeeded.

The new DVD by Fox comes in two versions. The ‘R’ rated version, which is the one I’m reviewing, and the ‘Unrated’ version. I wish I could tell you what the difference is between the two, but I really don’t have a clue. I honestly can’t imagine the sex was any more explicit. Both versions come with some very interesting extra features. The first is a commentary by the director, along with writer Brian Adair and Producer Jeremy Thomas. Though it was interesting, I found it a bit ponderous and self-serving. Much more interesting was the ‘making of’ documentary feature. History buffs will probably enjoy the featurette that looks at the events that were going on during the time in which the film takes place, though I’m curious to see what people think of Michael Pitt’s singing in the Bertolucci-directed music video.

“The Dreamers” comes highly recommended to cine-philes, but I would have a hard time suggesting it to the average American audience. There are moments that some might feel border on pornography, and the chances are high that those viewers won’t see the forest for the trees.

Directed by: Bernardo Bertolucci
Starring: Michael Pitt, Eva Green, Louis Garrel, Robin Renucci, Anna Chancellor
Extras: Feature Commentary by Director Bernardo Bertolucci, Writer Gilbert Adair and Producer Jeremy Thomas, Documentary Featurette, “Outside the Window: Events in France, May, 1968” Featurette, Michael Pitt Music Video
Specifications: Widescreen (1.85:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, Spanish Dolby Surround, French Dolby Surround
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 7/13/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: R (For Strong Sexual Content and Graphic Nudity, Language and Some Drug Use)
Website

We'll give The Dreamers an A.