In 1929 French Indochina, a French teenage girl embarks on a reckless and forbidden romance with a wealthy, older Chinese man, each knowing that knowledge of their affair will bring drastic ... Read allIn 1929 French Indochina, a French teenage girl embarks on a reckless and forbidden romance with a wealthy, older Chinese man, each knowing that knowledge of their affair will bring drastic consequences to each other.In 1929 French Indochina, a French teenage girl embarks on a reckless and forbidden romance with a wealthy, older Chinese man, each knowing that knowledge of their affair will bring drastic consequences to each other.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 3 wins & 7 nominations total
- The Chinaman
- (as Tony Leung)
- Narrator
- (voice)
- Liner Pianist
- (uncredited)
- Femme
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe film is based on the autobiographical novel by French author Marguerite Duras, whose real-life romance with a Chinese man in colonial Vietnam caused a scandal.
- GoofsHer lover smokes filtered cigarettes in 1929. They were not invented until the mid-'30s and not in common use until the 1950s.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Narrator: Years after the war, after the marriages, the children, the divorces, the books, he had come to Paris with his wife. He had phoned her. He was intimidated; his voice trembled, and with the trembling it had found the accent of China again. He knew she'd begun writing books. He had also heard about the younger brother's death. He had been sad for her. And then he had no more to tell her. And then he told her - he had told her that it was as before, that he still loved her, that he would never stop loving her, that he would love her until his death.
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits are shown against a backdrop of what is presumably the author, Marguerite Duras, writing down her story.
- Alternate versionsAvailable on video in two versions: the 103 min. R-rated cut and a much more explicit 115 min. unrated cut.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Making of 'The Lover' (1991)
Those harbour and river scenes were no Hollywood set or computer graphics, but just had to be the real thing: Vietnam! The reviews said 'not erotic' and 'like Penthouse'...?!? Just look beneath the surface: even though both characters are trapped in cultural barriers and subsequently repress so many emotions (especially the girl), they escape into the blissfully unreal world of the rented room where emotions run deep albeit confused.
You will not find the usual American 'formula film' composed of glitz, action, intrigue, syrupy sweetness and a predictable ending. Instead here is a film that is complex yet simple, both beautiful and ugly, about separateness and unions, and the sufferings of those who love but cannot love. We were captivated, enchanted. If you are prudish or do not like 'foreign films', then avoid this film. However, if you have ever travelled in Asia, if you love creative cinematography, if you enjoy small subtleties, if you like an insight into the past and a time of strong desires... then see this film! It was refreshing, and we did not want it to end.
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Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,899,194
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $181,147
- Nov 1, 1992
- Gross worldwide
- $5,013,090
- Runtime1 hour 55 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1