Les Amants (The Lovers) (1958)
-
100% of critics liked it
(9 reviews) -
78% of users liked it
(981 ratings)
The Lovers (Les Amants) furthered the reputations of both director Louis Malle and star Jeanne Moreau -- and also pushed the boundaries of American censorship (1959 vintage) to the breaking point. Moreau plays a humdrum housewife whose life brightens considerably when she meets a handsome young… More The Lovers (Les Amants) furthered the reputations of both director Louis Malle and star Jeanne Moreau -- and also pushed the boundaries of American censorship (1959 vintage) to the breaking point. Moreau plays a humdrum housewife whose life brightens considerably when she meets a handsome young archeologist (Jean-Marc Bory). The two enjoy an exquisite evening in the boudoir, and when comes the dawn, Moreau has gained a whole new outlook on things. She abandons her family in favor of Bory, even though neither has the slightest notion of what the future will hold. The Lovers gained notoriety upon its first release as the Movie With the Nude Scene: though a model of decorum by today's standards (the most suggestive moment is a shot of Moreau's hand falling limply on the bedsheets), the scene provided fodder for outraged guardians of public morals for several years. One hapless Cleveland theatre owner was arrested on an obscenity charge, a case that went all the way to the Supreme Court. The Venice Film festival took a more liberal stance on the matter, awarding The Lovers a special jury prize. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Louis Malle
- Written By
- Louis Malle
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Art House & International
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1958 Wide
- Studio
- Criterion Collection
Critic Reviews
-
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
What a difference a lay makes...
-
Dan Callahan, Slant Magazine
Jeanne Moreau at her "If it feels good, do it" best.
-
Dan Callahan, Slant Magazine
This film is nowhere close to Ophuls's landmark, but it did inaugurate Moreau's extraordinary run of '60s art films in high style.
-
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The romantic drama is about a good hump going a long way for a horny chic lady.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Jeanne Moreau
as Jeanne Tournier
-
Alain Cuny
as Henri Tournier
-
Jean-Marc bory
as Bernard Dubois-Lambert
-
Judith Magre
as Maggy Thiebaut-Leroy
-
Jose-Luis De Villalonga
as Raoul Florès, Raoul Florès, Raoul Flor?
-
Gaston Modot
as Coudray
-
Patricia Garcin
as Catherine fille de Jeanne (uncredited)
- Michèle Girardon
- Lucienne Hamon
-
Georgette Lobbe
as Marthe
-
Claude Mansard
as Marcelot
- Pierre Frag