#429: MALLE, Louis: The Lovers (1958)

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MALLE, Louis (France)
The Lovers [1958]
Spine #429
DVD


Louis Malle unveiled the natural beauty of Jeanne Moreau in his breakthrough, Elevator to the Gallows. With his follow-up, the scandalous smash The Lovers, he made her a star once and for all. A deeply felt and luxuriously filmed fairy tale for grown-ups, perched on the edge between classical and New Wave cinema, The Lovers presents Moreau as a restless bourgeois wife whose eye wanders from both her husband and her lover to an attractive passing stranger. Thanks to its frank sexuality, The Lovers caused quite a stir, and was censored and attacked for obscenity around the world. If today its shock has worn off, its glistening sensuality and seductive storytelling haven't aged a day.

90 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in French
2:35:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2008
Director/Writers


Inspired by Point de lendemain by Dominique-Vivant Denon.
Dialogue by Louise de Vilmorin.

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Twenty-page booklet featuring an essay by film historian Ginette Vincendeau.

Commentary

None.

Selection of archival interviews

With director Malle, actors Moreau and de Villalonga, and writer de Vilmorin.
Gallery

Of promotional material from the U.S. release.
Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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