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Trailer+1 trailer

The Lover

1992Movie1 h 55 minR

DramaRomance
55
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb6.8Metacritic595.2Rotten Tomatoes28%79%

An explicitly sexual, deeply romantic drama movie about growing up and history, with standout performances and cinematography.

Good for thought-provoking · adults · partner watch

Skip it if you want fast pacing · you're watching with family

Where to watch

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Not for laughs, warmth or scares.

Movies with

Story

She gave her innocence, her passion, her body. The one thing she couldn't give was her love.

A poor French teenage girl engages in an illicit affair with a wealthy Chinese heir in 1920s Saigon. For the first time in her young life she has control, and she wields it deftly over her besotted lover throughout a series of clandestine meetings and torrid encounters.

Feels like

  • Erotic Period Drama
  • Forbidden Romance
  • Coming-of-Age Tale
  • Colonial Setting
  • Intense Passion
  • Psychological Complexity
  • Visually Lush
  • Melancholic Tone
  • Non-Linear Narrative
  • Power Dynamics

Cast

12 of 12

Crew

Directed by
Jean-Jacques Annaud
Written by
Jean-Jacques Annaud, Marguerite Duras, Gérard Brach
Produced by
Claude Berri
Music by
Gabriel Yared

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

January 22, 1992 · 1 h 55 min · R

Released
January 22, 1992
Runtime
1 h 55 min
Age rating
R
Content
Nudity, Sexual Content
Genres
Drama, Romance
Original language
French
Also spoken
Chinese, English
Made in
France, United Kingdom, Vietnam
Box office
$5 million
Available in
57 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

Cynicism Catalyst, Elephant in the Living Room, Mommy Issues +9

  • Cynicism Catalyst
  • Elephant in the Living Room
  • Mommy Issues
  • Homoerotic Subtext
  • Opium Den
  • Star-Crossed Lovers
  • The Patriarch
  • Window Love
  • Ephebophile
  • Idle Rich
  • Love at First Sight
  • Blatant Lies

12 of 44 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream The Lover?"

Questions about The Lover

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Lover?

KanopyFandango at Home FreePluto TVOVIDTubi TV

In the United States, The Lover streams on OVID, and it is free with ads on Kanopy, Fandango at Home Free, Pluto TV, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 5 other countries.

Is The Lover worth watching?

55
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 55 (IMDb 6.8, Rotten Tomatoes 28%, and Metacritic 59). Audiences rate it higher (66 out of 100) than critics (44).

Is The Lover good for date night?

Partner WatchAdultsSolo Watch

It suits a quiet night in as a couple: romance is 9 of 10, but the viewing guide doesn't list it for date night.

Is The Lover plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (7 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is The Lover in English?

FrenchChineseEnglish

No, it was made in French, with some Chinese and English.

What tropes does The Lover use?

Cynicism CatalystElephant in the Living RoomMommy IssuesHomoerotic SubtextOpium DenStar-Crossed LoversThe PatriarchWindow LoveEphebophileIdle RichLove at First SightBlatant Liesand 32 more

TV Tropes lists 44 tropes for it, including Cynicism Catalyst, Elephant in the Living Room, and Mommy Issues.