The Lover (1992)

The Lover (1992)
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Writers: Jean-Jacques Annaud (writer)
Gérard Brach (writer)
Release Date: 22 January 1992 (France) more
Genre: Biography - Drama - Romance


* Cast:

Jane March ... The Young Girl
Tony Leung Ka Fai ... The Chinaman
Frédérique Meininger ... The Mother
Arnaud Giovaninetti ... The Elder Brother
Melvil Poupaud ... The Younger Brother
Lisa Faulkner ... Helene Lagonelle
Xiem Mang ... The Chinaman's Father
Philippe Le Dem ... The French Teacher
Ann Schaufuss ... Anne-Marie Stretter
Quach Van An ... The Driver
Tania Torrens ... The Principal
Raymonde Heudeline ... The Writer (end)
Yvonne Wingerter ... The Writer (beginning)
Do Minh Vien ... The Young Boy
Hélène Patarot ... The Assistant Mistress


* Awards:


- Academy Awards, USA:

*1993 Nominated for Oscar: Best Cinematography (Robert Fraisse)



- Awards of the Japanese Academy:

*1993 Nominated for Award of the Japanese Academy: Best Foreign Film




- César Awards, France:

*1993 César for Best Music Written for a Film (Gabriel Yared)



Nominated for César:

Best Cinematography (Meilleure photographie)
Robert Fraisse

Best Costume Design (Meilleurs costumes)
Yvonne Sassinot de Nesle

Best Editing (Meilleur montage)
Noëlle Boisson

Best Foreign Film (Meilleur film étranger)
Jean-Jacques Annaud

Best Production Design (Meilleurs décors)
Hoang Thanh At


- Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA:

*1993 Golden Reel Award: Best Sound Editing - Foreign Feature




* Plot:


It is French Colonial Vietnam in 1929. A young French girl from a family that is having some monetary difficulties is returning to boarding school.


She is alone on public transportation when she catches the eye of a wealthy Chinese businessman. He offers her a ride into town in the back of his chauffeured sedan, and sparks fly.


Can the torrid affair that ensues between them overcome the class restrictions and social mores of that time?


Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Maugerite Duras.