The Dreamers

Initially I wrote a mini-review that made some sort of childish remark regarding Michael Pitt's schlong but then I realised the movie itself was about people being stuck in a childish and sexually immature way of life and how necessary it is to break free from that and now I am confused and feel slightly embarrassed. Damnit.

Masturbatory nonsense. Despicable characters do despicable things, and Bertolucci overindulges in every way possible. From the constant name dropping and film clips to the needlessly explicit sex, this lacks a degree of subtlety that could help it more effectively capture the political and social unrest.

The film is partly Bertolucci's lovesong to the French New Wave and classic cinema, and that part works. It's like a Godard film in reverse: appropriating the the joie de vivre of Bande à Part which was in turn Godard whimsically showing his appreciation for American cinema. However, the film also makes attempts at sexual exploration and social commentary, at which it is a bit less adroit. The commentary seems rather inserted and is only relevant insofar as it relates to the political clima

we get it the french are sick and like sex

Banal, toothless masturbation from a washed-up wannabe, reminiscing on his Good Ol Days.