Not a scene but another film recommendation.

The Lover directed by: Jean-Jacques Annaud - Starring: Jane March and Tony Leung

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

The Lover is a film that even after I’ve finished watching it, it lingers in my mind. Perhaps because it touches so many senses, the story permeates into ones psyche. This film actually seems to transport the viewer to another time, another place, 1929 Indochina to be precise. As I listen to the narrative I can feel myself there, Vietnam of the 1930’s, the heat of the day, the wind in my face as I am on the ferry crossing the Mekong River.

This semi-autobiographical recollection of Marguerite Duras is a beautifully told and photographed story of a first and lasting love that was to be denied due to the social mores of the time, a classic tale of star-crossed lovers. The passion and sex in this film is gentle and erotic. I’ve concluded that Duras was a forward thinking woman, forced to age sooner than she should have due to her family situation. At a tender age she was forced to deny her true feelings of love due to strong prejudices and societal values. She even tried to convince herself that it wasn’t really love at all that she felt for the Chinaman.

One fascinating tidbit about the story is that the characters don't have names. The character played by Jane March is only known as the young girl and the part played by Tony Leung is only known as the Chinaman. This leads one to think that either she is protecting identities or she wanted the story to have a feel that is more universal in scope and others may have had a similar experience and could relate to it on some level.

I found this film to be a wonderful period piece and great escape. I like the way I felt transported and was able to slide into the story. Would I recommend this film? Oh yes I would. I would also say if you prefer to read you can pick up Duras' book by the same title.

One of the first lines of from The Lover or L'Amant, Duras's semi-autobiographical novella:

"Everyone says you were beautiful when you were young, but I want to tell you I think you're more beautiful now than then. Rather than your face as a young woman, I prefer your face as it is now. Ravaged."

*sigh*

Here is a video clip that I adore and gives you a glimpse of the film.

__________________