Strangers on a Train

Amazon.com

From its cleverly choreographed opening sequence to its heart-stopping climax on a rampant carousel, this 1951 Hitchcock classic readily earns its reputation as one of the director's finest examples of timeless cinematic suspense. It's not just a ripping-good thriller but a film student's delight and a perversely enjoyable battle of wits between tennis pro Guy (Farley Granger) and his mysterious, sycophantic admirer, Bruno (Robert Walker), who proposes a "criss-cross" scheme of traded murders. Bruno agrees to kill Guy's unfaithful wife, in return for which Guy will (or so it seems) kill Bruno's spiteful father. With an emphasis on narrative and visual strategy, Hitchcock controls the escalating tension with a master's flair for cinematic design, and the plot (coscripted by Raymond Chandler) is so tightly constructed that you'll be white-knuckled even after multiple viewings. Better still, the two-sided DVD edition of this enduring classic includes both the original version of the film and also the longer prerelease British print, which offers a more overt depiction of Bruno's flamboyant and dangerous personality, and his homoerotic attraction to Guy by way of his deviously indecent proposal. In accordance with the cautious censorship guidelines of the period, Hitchcock would later tame these elements of Walker's memorable performance by trimming and altering certain scenes, so the differences between the original and prerelease versions provide an illuminating illustration of censorship's effect on the story's thematic intensity. Beyond all the historical footnotes and film-buff fascination, Strangers on a Train remains one of Hitchcock's crowning achievements and a suspenseful classic that never loses its capacity to thrill and delight. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Strange thing about this trip. So much occurs in pairs. Tennis star Guy (Farley Granger) hates his unfaithful wife. Mysterious Bruno (Robert Walker) hates his father. How perfect for a playful proposal: I'll kill yours, you kill mine. Now look at how Alfred Hitchcock reinforces the duality of human nature. The more you watch, the more you'll see. "Isn't it a fascinating design?" the Master of Suspense often asked. Actually, it's doubly fascinating. Hitchcock left behind two versions of Strangers on a Train. The original version (Side A) is an all-time thriller classic. A recently found longer prerelease British print (Side B) offers "a startling amplification of Bruno's flamboyance, his homoerotic attraction to Guy and his psychotic personality," according to Bill Desowitz of Film Comment. The laying bare of Bruno's hidden nature, along with the great set pieces (head-turning tennis match, disintegrating carousel) and suspense as only Hitchcock can deliver, makes for a first-class trip.

DVD Features:
Interactive Menus
Newsreel:Hitchcock newsreel footage
Production Notes
Scene Access
Theatrical Trailer:Five trailers of Hitchcock movies

Customer Reviews:

I found no suspense here!.......2007-08-19

This is a very superficial story. I can't even categorize it as a thriller.
I relied on the reviews and the name recognition of Alfred Hitchcock, but I was tremendously disappointed.
It is a mediocre movie in black and white.
I do not have any desire to watch it again.

Stranger things have happened! Another Hitchock classic!.......2007-05-14

This is one of my most favorite movies and wow, Granger stole the movie from Walker. Walker died soon after making this movie, but it was a true classic. This movie is reasonably priced on Amazon, so buy it with true faith in how great it will be. The movie lasts for generations. I enjoy it every time I see it.

Never talk to a stranger.......2007-04-04

In Alfred Hitchcock's "Strangers on a train" (1951), Robert Walker gave a remarkable and disturbing performance as Bruno, a spoiled playboy - psychopath who came up with a brilliant idea of committing a perfect murder - find a stranger who hates someone strong enough to wish them dead and swap murders with him - he kills yours, you kill his. While on a train, Bruno introduces himself to a handsome rising tennis star, Guy (Farley Granger) who is going through a rather nasty public divorce with his unfaithful wife Miriam in order to marry the woman he loves, Anne Morton. Guy hates his wife but would he kill Bruno's dominating father if Bruno murders his wife?

One of the most discussed and analyzed Hitchcock's films, "Strangers on a train" is considered one of the most satisfying thrillers ever. It is based on the early novel by the master of the psychological crime thrillers, Patricia Highsmith and it is a great artistic achievement in the thriller genre due to the masterful and creating Hitchcock's directing. Many scenes stand out and some are simply carved in the viewer's memory like the head turning tennis match with only one head never turned and the eyes fixed on Guy's's face and these are Bruno's eyes.

Beware of Friendly Well-Dressed Strangers.......2007-03-24

Two cabs drop off two men at a train station in Washington DC for long distance travel. Bruno Antony makes his acquaintance with Guy Haines, the tennis star. Their characters are quickly established. Bruno is a too-friendly stranger (a bad sign?), a ne'er-do-well rich man's son. Bruno has the idea of committing the perfect murder: no motive to point to the killer. Guy humors Bruno instead of telling him where to get off (not a New Yorker). Guy's wife, pregnant with another man's child, no longer wants the divorce. Guy is so angry he threatens to strangle her. We see Bruno described as a "naughty boy". Bruno's father threatens to get medical treatment for him. [Does the apple fall far from the tree?] So Bruno goes ahead with this imagined contract, He stalks Miriam, Guy's wife, who goes to an amusement park with two men. [This shows popular entertainment before television.] And Bruno carries out his self-appointed mission.

Guy returns on another train. Bruno is lurking in the shadows of night to see him. The police drop by Guy's home. Guy visits Ann Morton, a Senator's daughter, and hears of Miriam's murder. There is humor in the Senator's remarks. The professor on the train remembers little. Now Bruno begins to stalk Guy. [The police don't notice this?] There is a funny scene at the tennis club where people's heads move mechanically, except for one man. Bruno's conversation with the Senator shows his increasing insanity, and so does his trick with the old lady. He is so weird it can create a scandal in Washington! Ann Morton figures out what happened: her sister Barbara resembles the late Miriam Haines! The watching detectives also see that "something funny is going on".

Guy calls Bruno to tell him his plan will be followed. [We see a watchdog that doesn't bark as a stranger?] There is a surprise here! The police learn of Guy's absence from home. Ann visits Bruno's mother, but little is accomplished. Bruno plans his revenge. Luck upsets Bruno's plan when the lighter slips from his hands. A crowd watches its retrieval. Once again Bruno visits the amusement park [remember them?] waiting for the darkness to cover him so he can plant Guy's lighter at the crime scene. The merry-go-round plays "Ain't We Got Fun". Guy shows up to follow Bruno, a fight on the carousel while "The Band Played On". There is a dramatic finish to the ride, and the truth is discovered at last when it slips from Bruno's hand.

You can pick out some faults in this story, but it seems quite good with its mixture of drama, suspense, and humor. Raymond Chandler wrote the screenplay.

Strangers on a Train.......2007-03-19

I'm not a real Hitchcock fan, but this movie by far is my favorite of anything he's done. The story line, suspense and drama is absolutely first rate. If you want to try a Hitchcock film, this one is it.

Average customer rating:

Explores the raw pain of marital dysfunction
Summer of '42 for the 21st century
Never mind Elle Fanning, here's an 'ell of a panning
Beautiful Movie....
Excellent movie

The Door in the Floor
Starring: Elle Fanning , Jeff Bridges , Kim Basinger , Jon Foster , and Larry Pine
Director: Tod Williams
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
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ASIN: B00005JMU1
Release Date: 2004-12-14

Product Description

Four-time Academy Award nominee Jeff Bridges and Academy Award winner Kim Basinger give stellar performances in this critically acclaimed film, adapted from the #1 best-selling novel, A Widow for One Year, by Academy Award winner John Irving. The Door in the Floor chronicles one pivotal summer in the lives of famous children s book author Ted Cole (Jeff Bridges) and his beautiful wife, Marion (Kim Basinger). It is a provocative story about one couple s emotional journey into a world of daring sensuality and stunning honesty.

BONUS MATERIALS :

Frame on the Wall: The Making of The Door in the Floor

Novel to Screen: John Irving

Anatomy of a Scene

Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Tod Williams, Director of Photography

Terry Stacey, Editor Alfonso Goncalves, Composer Marcelo Zarvos and Costume

Designer Eric Daman

System Requirements:

Running Time 111 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Jeff Bridges demonstrates once again that he is one of the finest actors in film. Ted Cole (Bridges, Seabiscuit, The Big Lebowski), a successful writer/illustrator of children's books, invites a young student named Eddie (Jon Foster) to be his assistant for a summer. Eddie doesn't realize he's being drawn into the middle of a dissolving marriage until Ted's wife Marion (Kim Basinger, L. A. Confidential) invites him into an affair--which Ted both condones and resents. Slowly, Eddie comes to understand the secrets that are tearing the marriage apart. Bridges never shows off; everything he does seems simple, natural, almost unavoidable, but it's also utterly watchable. Whether you like the movie will depend on whether you like John Irving (The Door in the Floor is based on part of his novel A Widow for One Year), but Bridges's performance is undeniable. Also featuring Mimi Rogers (The Rapture). --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Explores the raw pain of marital dysfunction.......2007-07-22

I remember how searing and raw this film was when I first watched it. Kim Basinger and Jeff Bridges do a remarkable job of showing how a happily married couple can fall prey to blame, guilt, shame, drinking, infidelity and more after a tragedy befalls them. Having another child does not make the situation better, either. Everyone suffers in the end. Still, it has bits of humor and unpredictability that make you want to keep watching. Little Elle Fanning, who turned five during the filming, possesses a lot of gravity and sadness for one so young. She is never annoying the way most child actors are. Also watch for Mimi Rogers as the woman Bridges has an affair with, at least for a while. Bridges also provided the haunting drawings used as part of the storyline.

Summer of '42 for the 21st century.......2007-05-07

Deft performances from Basinger and Bridges elevate this low key coming -of- age drama with resonances of poignancy and subtlety.
This is satisfying and beautifully conceived within the parameters of the scenario.
Thoroughly recommended and will withstand repeat viewing.

Never mind Elle Fanning, here's an 'ell of a panning.......2007-05-06

Not for a moment did I buy this young kid's obsession with a children's author. Really likely. Nor did I buy into his hots for a fifty something women. The babysitter, sure (Bijou Phillips, good but unheralded in an admitedly small part.) But someone's mum? He might think, "not bad", but he'd be having a Barclay's over the help. And I didn't buy him getting caught having a Barclay's either. If you were going to do something that risky with someone's underwear, you wouldn't risk it with someone in the house. And if you did, at that the very least you'd find out where they were in the house and be acutely aware of the slightest creak which an old house would have plenty of. Basinger appears like a ghost. Nope.

In the special features, John Irving appears unconcerned about the impact of the couple on the young student because he says the young always get over things quickly and move on. This is palpable nonsense. Getting used by selfish and corrupt people at a young age can do lasting and heart felt damage. This sneeking admiration of the repulsive couple and the suggestion that the student is somehow matured and enlightened by the experience, makes Floor in the Door a hard sell. And I haven't exactly been buying up to this point. Irving seems to have a continual need to push the envelope with this incest stuff. Maybe he just wants to be European.

On the plus side, if you're looking for different then this is it, I guess.

Beautiful Movie...........2007-01-03

I had never heard of this movie until recently. I seen it at the local movie rental and seen that Ebert gave it a recommendation. I'm so glad I rented it. It was a beautiful movie, that really makes you feel human. I know that sounds funny, but it does. In a world of so much superficiality, it makes you feel human. Your flaws are no bigger than any one elses. We all take different paths in life and we all make our own mistakes. Jeff Bridges gave a wonderful performance. I also thought Fanning was good, much better than her sister. Two big thumbs up!

Excellent movie.......2007-01-03

This is a great movie on so many levels. It is a glimpse at the frailty of humanity. It's funny, some of the reviewers who were disgusted by this movie, seem to think we humans are always perfect (or should always be perfect). Well sorry to burst their bubble, we aren't. And there was also quite a few reviews that complained about the nudity. There was no gratuitous nudity. In other words, there was no nudity just for the sake of nudity. The nudity in the movie had a purpose and needed to be in the movie. So you can ignore the reviews from the moral superiorist who think they own the world and should censor movies to their standards. This is an art house movie with a lot of meaning lurking under the surface. It's not a movie that will appeal to the average movie goer because the average movie goer isn't sophisticated enough to understand a movie like this. I don't say that to be insulting. My theory is, if the shoe fits, so be it. This movie will appeal to a small audience that understands and appreciates deep conflicted works of art. And that's what I consider this. Open the door in the floor and you will be pleasantly surprised!

Average customer rating:

Well acted Canadian drama
A Small Story, Well Told
Home is Not Where the Heart Is.

Marion Bridge
Starring: Rebecca Jenkins , Hollis McLaren , Nicola Lipman , Molly Parker , and Joseph Rutten
Director: Wiebke Von Carolsfeld
Manufacturer: Film Movement
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ASIN: B0006OJH5O
Release Date: 2005-01-01

Product Description

Marion Bridge, Toronto Film Festival winner, is the April selection in The Film Movement Series. In the midst of struggling to overcome her self destructive behavior, the youngest of three sisters, Agnes (Molly Parker), returns to her hometown in Novia Scotia determined to confront the past. Her arrival sets in motion a chain of events that allows a family of women to each in their own way re-connect with the world and each other. First time director Wiebke von Carolsfelds debut speaks volumes about sibling and parental relationships with a beautifully realized tale of loss, healing and humor. Subscribers receive a socially important film such as Marion Bridge to own on DVD each month.

Customer Reviews:

Well acted Canadian drama.......2006-09-26

"Marion Bridge," as the other reviewers have noted, is a drama about three estranged Irish-Canadian sisters, Theresa, Louise, and Agnes, who reunite to help their dying mother. Actually, only one sister is estranged, Agnes, played by Molly Parker, who apparently developed a serious drug/alcohol problem as a teenager and fled from her Cape Breton Island home to Toronto years ago and has since had only fleeting contact with her family. However, at film's beginning she has returned home, having recently accepted sobriety, in order to mend fences with her family.

It's not easy. Her oldest sister, Theresa (Rebecca Jenkins), resents Agnes' attempts to "meddle" into what she views as her responsibilities- the care of their mother and Louise. In addition, Louise (Stacy Smith), an unambitious tomboy whose life revolves around tv hockey games, looks upon Agnes' return as an unwanted disruption of normality and something to be tolerated until Agnes abandons them again. Agnes insists that she's changed and throws herself into the care of their dying mother (Maguerite McNeil) of whom we get the idea was not a good mother.

However, Agnes' return is not just about reuniting with her sisters, but also to confront the issue that undoubtedly drove her self-destructive streak. She's drawn continuously to a small antique shop to look upon Joanie, the sixteen year old girl who works and lives there (played by baby-faced Ellen Page who actually looks like she's twelve, and whose knock-out performance in the 2005 movie "Hard Candy" is what led me to watch "Marion Bridge"). Also, she and her sisters must confront the man whom they all blame for nearly ruining their lives- their father.

Overall, "Marion Bridge" is a well-acted and character driven film. However, it does have a "Lifetimey" feel about it, but that's a given when dealing with a low budget drama about familial relationships. Yet the film kept me interested in these characters, and I was particularly moved by the storyline involving Joanie and Agnes (Also minor SPOILER ALERT- I really liked how Agnes does the right thing as to that relationship). Molly Parker is very good in the role of Agnes, a woman whose made mistakes and is now trying to win back trust, and she's also stunning to look at.

This is the second movie I've seen set in Cape Breton Island this year. The other was Allan Moyle's delightfully quirky 1999 film, "New Waterford Girl." Since the two films share the same setting, they also share the same overcast skies and stark landscapes. I've heard some complaints about both films from Cape Breton Islanders about how skies above their homes are not perpetually overcast. However, I like it. As someone who grew up in northeast Ohio, where we didn't get that many sunny days either, I found the overcast skies comforting. Further, the landscapes exhibited in both films have me thinking of Cape Breton as a possible vacation destination. Finally, both films feature Allister MacGillivray's lovely "Song for the Mira" which I guess has become a sort of unofficial anthem for Cape Breton Island. It's such a pretty song. In "Marion Bridge" it is sung by Molly Parker, Stacy Smith, and Rebecca Jenkins, and they're not bad!

A Small Story, Well Told.......2006-04-20

I have not read the book that MARION BRIDGE is based on, but the movie's plot is easy enough to summarize. A young woman returns to her hometown in Cape Breton to join her two sisters in caring for their ailing mother.

But while that may be the plot, the story is much deeper and richer. All three of the actresses playing the sisters are quite good at biting off their lines of dialogue with each other in that familiar familial way people have. And while the movie does ultimately have a few cheesy moments, the film's intelligent direction and the presence of the actresses (there are virtually no men in this film) more than make up for it.

By the way, don't be thrown off by the strangely awful jazz music that opens the film. It doesn't fit the tenor of the story (it almost seems like something from a horror film). The film itself has no violence, sex, or even strong language that I noticed.

SIDELIGHT: Our protagonist in this film, Molly Parker, is also a featured actress in the excellent HBO series DEADWOOD.

Home is Not Where the Heart Is........2005-04-06

Marion Bridge is a heavy-duty and emotionally draining experience not just for the viewers, but even more so for the three Cape Breton sisters. Howevever, all that they have endured over the decades or just during their reunion days together, will have a wonderful and meaningful outcome. Do prepare yourself for some tearjerking moments as this film can be kind of heartbreaking, especially the three leads are so impeccable to watch!

Having moved or ran away from home to Toronto more than a decade ago, Agnes(Molly Parker) is called by her older sister Theresa(Rebecca Jenkins) to come home to care for their ailing alcoholic mother(Marguerite McNeil), who had never cared about her daughters. The youngest sister Louise(Stacy Smith) is also reluctant to be involved in any family matters. It's not an easy thing for Agnes to go home and face all the things and people she had left behind, and there is also a secret relationship she share with a teenager girl in the neighborhood. She treats her with gifts and things, and the girl wondered why? The darkest secret that the sisters shared have to come to surface again as it had haunted them for years. They must summon all their courage and unconditional love to go and pay one last visit for the man that had "ruined" their lives.....

Molly Parker is brilliant, and she carries the film, but it was Rebecca Jenkins whose more powerful performance that ultimately stoled most of the scenes. The landscape of Cape Breton also is very appropiate as it provides a sense of gloomy feel for this sad movie.

Average customer rating:

Tries too hard to be artistic
Essential French cinema: Carax's 'Les Amants du Pont-Neuf .'
jazzman
Crazed and self-destructive.
Stunning, Mesmerizing, Outstanding

The Lovers on the Bridge
Starring: Juliette Binoche , Denis Lavant , Klaus-Michael Grüber , Edith Scob , and Georges Aperghis
Director: Leos Carax
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0000DZ3DW
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Amazon.com

How can a movie be so ludicrous and so ecstatic at the same time? The Lovers on the Bridge stars Juliette Binoche as a street person (there, in a nutshell, is the ludicrous part) who was formerly an artist, but began to go blind and whose life fell apart as a result. She hooks up with a homeless street performer (Denis Lavant) who lives on a bridge in the middle of Paris that has been cordoned off for repairs. He falls madly in love with her; she can't bear the thought of being close to anyone. Both are more than a little irrational. But this banal scenario is merely the pretext for a series of lush and stunning images--including midnight water-skiing, fireworks displays, wandering through falling snow, burning posters in subway tunnels--and richly committed performances from the actors. It's not quite as overwhelming on video as it is on a movie screen, but there's such a gushing of emotional images that it's hard to resist the angst and yearning passion. Though the film dives into some cliches, it manages to avoid others; when Binoche's wealthy family starts looking for her, a frightened Lavant tries to keep her hidden away, and you really don't know whether their relationship can possibly survive. An unusual and sweeping film--and an example of the power of visual images to create a state of rapture. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Martin Scorsese presents Academy Award(R)-winning star Juliette Binoche (Best Supporting Actress 1997, THE ENGLISH PATIENT, CHOCOLAT) in a uniquely uplifting story of two misfits who risk everything for love! A homeless artist who is losing her sight, Michele (Binoche) finds herself drawn into a passionate relationship with a troubled street performer named Alex. Then, despite all obstacles, they together find love and shelter on the famed Pont-Neuf bridge in Paris. But, in time, their unlikely love will be tested as Michele's secret past catches up with her! With memorable performances from an outstanding cast, you'll be swept away by the stirring romance of this wonderfully inspired motion picture!

Customer Reviews:

Tries too hard to be artistic .......2007-09-04

Late one night I happened to be flipping through channels with my boyfriend when we stopped at the Independant Film Channel to watch what we thought would be an amusing French movie (The Lovers on the Bridge). We were not intrigued by the dramatic plot the info box on the tv told us, we were rather drawn into the film by the ridiculous plot it had. "A blind artist falls in love with a homeless man on a bridge in France," sounds like a winner, so we left the channel on even though the movie was partly over. Right away we found ourselves watching the silhouettes of a crazed man and woman frolicking loudly upon a beach at night. Did I mention they were naked? Yes all you saw were their silhouettes, but very obviously we could see the man atleast was naked. After that feast for our eyes, we watched as the rest of the movie dragged on, each scene an obvious attempt to push the main characters further into their desperation/drunkeness/hopelessness/homelessness/artistic loneliness. Each new "twist" in the plot was ridiculously predicatable and made us say, "Are you serious? They actually spent money to make this into a movie?" Finally the "dark" movie ends in what is supposed to be a "happy" ending but really makes the movie seem even worse as it only shows the recklessness of both characters and doesn't resolve the tension between the characters. It's like the writer of the film had an idea to make a dark artistic story but didn't want a tragic ending as most films of the genre do so he decided to abrubtly end the story and carry both characters away happily in a boat to the middle of no where, out of the story and thankfully now, out of my mind.

Essential French cinema: Carax's 'Les Amants du Pont-Neuf .'.......2007-08-19

This is a love story that will taunt you, challenging your notions of both love and homelessness. It is a love story you won't soon forget. With his films Boy Meets Girl (1984), Mauvais Sang (1986), Pola X (2000), and Process (2005), French film director, Leos Carax (1960) established a cult following with his poetic film style and depictions of tortured love. Set around Pont Neuf bridge while closed to the public and under repair, and using the Paris streets, subways, and the River Seine as a film set, Lovers on the Bridge (Les Amants du Pont-Neuf) (1991), tells the story of two lost souls, Alex (Denis Lavant) and Michèle (Juliette Binoche) who sleep on the bridge. Both are homeless in the City of Lights. Michèle's only companion is a cat named Louisiana. Alex is fire-eating street performer, addicted to wine and sedatives. Michèle is an artist on the run from her past, also addicted to wine, and afflicted with a rare eye disorder that leads to blindness. Despite their hard existence, together they experience laughter, passion, and fireworks; Michèle even waterskis the Seine. As Michèle's vision deteriorates, she becomes increasingly dependent on Alex who, fearing Michèle will leave him, prevents her from receiving the new medical treatment she needs, demonstrating that the course of love never does run smooth. Will their love endure? Highly recommended.

G. Merritt

jazzman.......2006-09-27

Oh, it's unforgettable all right. Without a doubt, the weirdest movie I
have ever seen. Repulsive and nauseating as well. I actually threw up
after enduring this pretentious piece of crap from (SHOCK!) France. One
disgusting, weird scene after another, after another. And the film is FULL
of lies. The French have come up with their share of cinematic turkeys
before, but this thing sets a whole new standard. How about homeless,
drunk idiots water skiing with fireworks in the background? How many times
have you EVER seen that in real life? One of the reviews on the
DVD jacket calls this "one of the decade's most thrilling films" (Vogue
Magazine). I don't think these film critics get out much, if this is their
idea of "thrilling". There is a scene of the 2 lead characters running
naked on a beach at night. If you look closely, there's more to it than
just that. I just shook my head in amazement. Weeeeeirrrrd. I thought
many times of just ejecting the DVD out of the player. Just too much to
stomach or even believe. A colossal piece of crap from France.

Crazed and self-destructive........2006-09-01

"Lovers On The Bridge" is notorious, but not very popular. It caused a big scandal in France, not because of its content, but because of the caprices of its director Leos Carax. Much of the film takes place on the Pont-Neuf bridge in Paris, and Carax demanded to be allowed to film right on the bridge. So, the bridge was closed off just for him, and even then he couldn't finish filming. After he was kicked out, he built a life-size model of the bridge and part of its surroundings, somewhere in the countryside, and tried to finish filming there. Even then he went over budget three times, thus causing three separate producers to go bankrupt.

The film was a complete failure, commercially. Critics thought it was too long and too self-important. The public just didn't bother to see it. As a result, Carax's career was basically over by 1992. Since then he's only made one film, "Pola X" in 1999. (There's word that he's making another one right now, though.)

What is "Lovers On The Bridge" about? It stars Carax's favourite actor Denis Lavant as Alex, a bum who lives on the Pont-Neuf. Sometimes he puts on a fire-eating act to entertain passersby on the street. The rest of the time, he gets drunk. He's also addicted to pills of some kind.

One day, a woman shows up on the bridge. She doesn't talk about her past, but Alex finds out that she comes from a rich family. She was abandoned by her rich boyfriend, and she has a problem with her eyesight which will eventually make her blind. Because of these problems, she decides to run away from home and go slumming on the Pont-Neuf.

Naturally, Alex falls madly in love with her. They cavort on the bridge together and steal money from rich tourists. Then of course they're separated. Alex does a whole bunch of desperate and stupid things and loses his will to live. Maybe you can guess whether or not they're reunited in the end.

Carax's underlying worldview in this film is exactly the same as in his two earlier films, "Boy Meets Girl" and "Bad Blood." He believes in a thing called love, you see. But his idea of love has a lot of narcissism in it. His lovers are hopelessly self-absorbed. They can never have any kind of normal life together, simply because they would be unable to support each other. They can get drunk together, but they can't feel so much compassion or empathy. Alex, in particular, is a psychopath. He tries to prevent the woman from curing her eye problem, because he doesn't want her to leave the bridge.

And Carax also believes that the sensory impact of a film is more important than the logic of its narrative. So, this film contains many vivid, visually brilliant scenes that don't make much sense if you think about them. For example, Carax thinks that guns are romantic, so he puts a gun into the film and uses it in a long dream sequence. The sequence doesn't have much bearing on the plot, and actually it makes his heroine look cold and vicious, but it's exciting to watch.

The greatest scene of this sort is the one where the lovers celebrate Bastille Day by screaming and doing cartwheels on the bridge, to a deafening medley of classical, rock and rap music. The content of the scene has no meaning. But the effect is ecstatic. And in a way, it really captures a youthful feeling of falling in love.

If Carax's worldview doesn't appeal to you, then you'll probably agree with the critics who savaged the film. They have a point. But still, "Lovers On The Bridge" is Carax's best film.

First of all, he has a much stronger script than before. His two earlier films are full of long, artificial monologues, which are recited into space by the characters. But here, the dialogue is much more terse. Alex doesn't say much at all, and this is very appropriate to his character.

Second, Carax paid attention to the setting of his story. The plot might not be very believable. Of course that's the point. Carax wants to overwhelm the emotions by any means necessary. But nonetheless, the opening of the film just shows a few scenes taken at a homeless shelter in Paris. They are unrelated to the plot, and the main characters don't appear in them. But they make a very strong impression. Carax shows the bad conditions in which his characters live, without making anything up. Somehow, this realistic introduction makes the rest of the film much more convincing.

Third, the romance is just a little bit more subtle than in Carax's earlier films. In "Bad Blood," for instance, it was hard to see why Julie Delpy loved Denis Lavant so much, since his character there was basically the same as here. But here, Carax implies that the heroine isn't quite in love with Alex. Or rather, she is, but only up to a point. She loves him while she's slumming on the bridge, but she doesn't want to take him with her when she leaves. She shows no concern for him when he suffers the most from her absence. She does remember him later, but she only wants to see him on her own terms. In other words, she's like him. That's not very nice, and in fact the main characters of this film are not nice people, but it's believable at least. It's also hard to see why she went down to the bridge in the first place, if she's like that, but that's not really the point. Carax needs the bridge because it allows him to make his grand spectacles.

I honestly don't know if I'd recommend this film. It's alternately unpleasant and thrilling. But it is Carax's best film. There's nothing else that's quite like that.

Stunning, Mesmerizing, Outstanding .......2006-01-25

This review refers to "Lovers on the Bridge"("Les Amants du Pont-Neuf")VHS(Miramax)

Well, you already know from my title of this review that I have fallen head over heals in love with "Les Amants du Pont-Neuf".I viewed it last night and have not been able to get it out of my head. It is a film in which the characters, the story, and the setting touched me very deeply.

The film opens with a very hard but real look at homeless life in the streets of Paris. It is very tough to take and not for the sensitive. As we slowly move to the Pont-Neuf bridge, we meet two denizens that have found shelter while it is being refurbished and closed to the public, and learn the meaning of true love. Michelle, a young woman losing her sight, and Alex a street performer who can not sleep without the aid of drugs form a beautiufl bond. They share everything, and seem to make the best of their situation at every moment. When Michele's past throws a new twist to into their lives, their love goes through a long and heartwrenching test.

Written and Directed beautifully by Leos Carax, this film seems very real. Carax, doesnt dwell on the small stuff, nor does he feel the need to explain the events, but leaves the audience to just absorb the story and in some cases, come to their own conclusions. I enjoyed this style very much. Juliet Binoche is simply amazing. She is so versitile, and will have you falling in love with her 'Michelle' as she always does. Denis Lavant is outstanding as the man who will do anything to keep his love by his side.

This film runs a little over 2 hours, and I didn't want it to end, nor did I even realize the time had gone by so quickly. I was totaly immersed in this film.It won three awards from the European Film Awards.Best Actress for Julitte Binoche, Best Editing, Nelly Quettier, and for the exquisite filming by Jean-Yves Escoffier,Best Cinematographer. This edition of the VHS is in French and has subtitles in English (ASIN: B00003L9CA). It is a full frame picture(modified to fit your screen), and has excellent sound in Hi-Fi Stereo.

The film is a stunning, mesmerizing, and an outstanding study of "The Lovers On The Bridge". A must see for fans of 'La Binoche', French films or just fine filmmaking.....Laurie

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Excellent Critics' Choice Randolph Scott western-double-feature #1 from yesteryear
Very Pleased and pleasantly surprised!.

Randolph Scott Double Feature 1 (B&W)
Starring: Randolph Scott , Charles 'Chic' Sale , Mrs. Leslie Carter , Kathleen Burke , and Ann Sheridan
Director: Charles Barton , and Edwin L. Marin
Manufacturer: Critic's Choice
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000CBEX4G
Release Date: 2006-05-16

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Excellent Critics' Choice Randolph Scott western-double-feature #1 from yesteryear.......2007-01-28

The two black and white westerns featured here are both excellent western fare although "Abilene Town" is the main event here and is without doubt the better film, although perfectly viewable it is let down by a less than perfect transfer to DVD (Star rating reduced accordingly). Strangely enough although eleven years older and somewhat dated "The Fighting Westerner" transfer to DVD is excellent! All well worth the low asking price from Amazon.

ABILENE TOWN (1946 - 89 Minutes).
Based on the novel "Trail Town" by Ernest Haycox and well scripted by Harold Shumate with some excellent one-liners - The story is set in Kansas five years after the end of the Civil War. Abilene is the town at the end of the Chisholm Trail and depicts the struggle between cattlemen and homesteaders in between the two is upright town marshal Dan Mitchell (Randolph Scott) who is trying to calm down the homesteaders led by a head-strong Henry Dreiser (Lloyd Bridges) whilst routing out the corrupt cattlemen. Vying for the marshal's attention is dance hall queen Rita (Ann Dvorak) and general store keeper Ed Balder's (Howard Freeman) daughter Sherry (Rhonda Fleming). Jet Younger (Jack Lampart) is wanted for a train robbery and an out-of-town murder; Dan sets off to capture him with county sheriff "Bravo" Trimble (Edgar Buchanan). Later the homesteaders fence off the cattle trail, leading to the cattlemen stampeding the cattle across the homesteaders land resulting in several deaths. Culminating in both sides facing each other across the streets of Abilene.

Directed by Edward L. Marin with some nice Fordian touches like the hymn singing in the church with the 23-year old Rhonda Fleming in fine voice, also the haunting strains of `Glory Glory Hallelujah' at the homesteaders camp. Marin also seemed to have Scott alternately (according to his attire) to look like Gary Cooper or William S. Hart. On its release in January '46, critics of the day reported that "Scott showed his age (47) also he looked tired and in need of a rest" Indeed little or no rest lay ahead for him as over the next 15 years discounting a cameo appearance he made another 40 films 38 of them westerns; half-a-dozen of them minor-masterpieces and culminating in Sam Peckinpah's elegiac RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY (1962).

THE FIGHTING WESTERNER (1935 - 70 Minutes).
Formerly known as "Rocky Mountain Mystery" Based on a Zane Grey story "Golden Dreams" this charming early Randolph Scott contemporary western is, more or less a semi-comic murder mystery set in the West. Mining engineer Larry Sutton (Randolph Scott) teams up with a cantankerous Deputy Sheriff "Tex" Murdock (Charles "Chic" Sale) to solve a series of murders in a Nevadan Radium Mine. James Ballard (George Marion Sr.) has hired Sutton for his mining expertise on arrival at the mine he is fired on by Rita Ballard (Ann Sheridan). From here on in the story moves at a fast pace as Sutton and Co try to solve the Rocky Mountain mystery.

Directed by Charles Barton. Scott is perfectly at home in the title role. The love interest is supplied by 20 year-old former Beauty Queen Ann Sheridan in only her second major role. Charles "Chic" Sale (1885 - 1937) played "Ben Gunn" in the 1934 version of TREASURE ISLAND. Halliwell's Film Guide records: Mrs. Leslie Carter (a rare screen appearance, and just as well to judge from her performance) plays Mrs Borg the housekeeper.

Very Pleased and pleasantly surprised!........2007-01-15

I had never seen these two Randolph Scott westerns before, and boy I was bowled over by Ann Dvorak's dancehall scene. Wow where have I been! Actually wrong generation. I'm sure my grandfather would have known about Ann Dvorak.
Both movies were very interesting in their own way. Abilene Town shows the stress between ranchers and cattleman, and the difficulty presented to Abilene in living with both sides. Rhonda Fleming is beautiful, but looses out to Ann Dovrak in the end. Lloyd Bridges is good as one of the young ranchers. Seems to be a very authentic story, but one very short section of the film has contrast problems.
Rocky Mountain Mystery, based on a Zane Grey story, is typical of the kinds of westerns I remember seeing on Saturday morning television in the fifties. I wonder if it was originally meant to be a serial, because of the way Randy Scott seems to escape from certain death every 20 minutes or so? Very entertaining, and like a lot of these movies the gorgeous outdoors, trees, range, seems to steal the movie from the actors, even when filmed in black & white.

The Door in the Floor / Swimming Pool Value Pack

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The Door in the Floor / Swimming Pool Value Pack
Starring: Elle Fanning , Jeff Bridges , Kim Basinger , Jon Foster , and Larry Pine
Director: Tod Williams , and François Ozon
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000788052
Release Date: 2005-04-26

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The Lovers on the Bridge [Region 2]
Starring: Juliette Binoche , Denis Lavant , Klaus-Michael Grüber , Edith Scob , and Georges Aperghis
Director: Leos Carax
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00004VYGP

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ASIN: B00005LDEY

Marion Bridge [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Netherlands ]

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Marion Bridge [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Netherlands ]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Netherlands released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0), Dutch (Subtitles), SPECIAL FEATURES: Scene Access, Interactive Menu,

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Tries too hard to be artistic
Essential French cinema: Carax's 'Les Amants du Pont-Neuf .'
jazzman
Crazed and self-destructive.
Stunning, Mesmerizing, Outstanding

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ASIN: B00005NT57

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Customer Reviews:

Tries too hard to be artistic .......2007-09-04

Essential French cinema: Carax's 'Les Amants du Pont-Neuf .'.......2007-08-19

jazzman.......2006-09-27

Crazed and self-destructive........2006-09-01

Stunning, Mesmerizing, Outstanding .......2006-01-25

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