Your Soul's Other Half ("The Dreamers" film review)

             They say twins are inseparable because they share each other’s souls. But what if somebody suddenly comes in between the two souls? Would they still be inseparable?

            “The Dreamers” is a film about Matthew (portrayed by Michael Pitt), an American student who resides in Paris to learn the French language. The story starts in 1968 when Henri Langlois (portrayed by himself), founder of the French Cinematheque, gets fired. In the protest, Matthew meets Isabelle (portrayed by Eva Green) and Theo (portrayed by Louis Garrel), peculiar twins who share with him the same passion for classic films. When the twins’ parents (portrayed by Robin Renucci and Anna Chancellor) leave home for a vacation, Matthew lives with them. There they played games related to the movies they have watched. As time passes by, Matthew notices a special and unusual attraction between the two siblings and as he gets to know them better, he falls in love with both of them. They get closer and closer to each other until their “little” games elevate to sexual games which eventually confuses their minds. And when they finally get nearer and nearer to reality, the Matthew, Isabelle and Theo find themselves set apart by their beliefs.

            Symbols are present in various parts of the film. The first one is the house where the three live. It serves as a shell – a comfort zone. It separates them from the reality waiting for them outside. Isabelle’s room is also a symbol. It represents her inner child and her innocence. Like what Matthew said, it is a side of Isabelle he has never seen before. Another symbolism is the birthmark on Isabelle and Theo’s arm. It signifies the bond between the siblings. It shows that although they don’t look exactly alike, they are still identical and inseparable.

            The movie is quite disturbing because of the unusual bond between Isabelle and Theo. Though it is expected for twins or siblings to be affectionate with each other, their situation seems to be different. They are comfortable – excessively comfortable – with each other. In fact, it was the first time I saw siblings who sleep next to each other without any clothes on. In the normal world, it will be scandalous and it will go against the morals of the Church because they were not anymore kids to do that kind of thing.

            Despite this, I still admire the kind of relationship between them. Isabelle loves Theo so much that she chooses to forget how she feels for Matthew. I also admire her for saying that she wants Theo to be with her forever because this rarely happens nowadays.

            I don’t relate much to this movie because I don’t have a brother though I think it’s cool to have one. But I do have a not-so-little sister whom I love so much no matter how many quarrels we’ve had. She’s a little bit hot-tempered but I’m really trying my best to get along with her and to be the best sister she could ever have.

            The film is not that bad, but it’s also not that good either. I think it takes a great critic to really understand the film well.