The Dreamers: A tribute film that questions

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Now while it isn’t possible to imitate every time one wishes to pay a compliment, it is easier to do so in subtle tributes in one’s one work. The Dreamers, directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, is one such film that tributes many great films and directors that inspired Bertolucci over the course of his career to become one of the most reputed directors in the world.

Matthew is an American studying in a university in Paris on the eve of the student riots that rocked the city in the year 1968. Being a cinephile, he loves visiting film screenings at the Cinémathèque Française as often as possible. He happens to cross paths with a brother and sister who share his love for cinema. The siblings are intrigued by Matthew and invite him to their house for dinner to introduce him to their parents. Mildly shocked and positively surprised by their openness and comfort levels, Matthew accepts the invitation for dinner and also the later invitation to move into their house once their parents move away for a month. His time in the family home is spent in amicable arguments with the brother and uncomfortable moments with the sister as he hides his affection for her in an unfolding story with the backdrop of the May 1968 riots of Paris.

The Dreamers comes across as a tribute to great directors and films from the past. It was released in the year 2003 and was directed by Bernarndo Bertolucci. The film is based on a novel written by Gilbert Adair who also wrote the screenplay for the film. The film has various references to films of the past which are probably considered by the director and writer to be the best films ever made. The references are always affirmative with characters discussing and making positive remarks about the films or wearing similar costumes as were used in the films or performing similar actions as were done by characters in those films. There are also visible references in the form of props and auditory references with music from the films being used. The tributes are not restricted to the world of cinema alone, there is praise of musical greats in the film as well.

There are various undertones in the film which are touched upon particularly in terms of what defines art. There is a struggle between a father and son in the film over who is the greater artist, the one that voices his opinion or the one that only witnesses calmly to reflect and ponder. There are insinuations of incest and questions asked about whether it should actually be considered a sin or if it can be accepted as a parallel way of thinking. The film also depicts a political struggle between administrators and workers along with a documentation of how the elite class stay aloft from political struggles since they are comfortable in their own lives.

The Dreamers probably has a niche audience that would thoroughly appreciate it. It is a good film for someone who enjoys films that revolve around lengthy conversations on topics covering political and social implications.