LES AMANTS DE PONT NEUF

France, 1991, 125 minutes, Colour.
Juliette Binoche, Dennis Lavant, Klaus- Michael Gruber.
Directed by Leos Carax.

Leos Carax is, to say the least, an idiosyncratic director, making an impact in the 1980s, then getting attention from this film. Later films include Holy Motors and Pola X.

At the time of filming, the Pont Neuf bridge was under repairs and the screenplay takes advantage of the characters taking refuge on the site. So, on the one hand, there is a grim side of the film, homeless people on the streets and on the bridge, in institutions, in jail, on the other hand there is some spectacular photography of the city of Paris including a fireworks show.

The film introduces its two characters, Alex played by Dennis Lavant who appeared in several of the director’s films, as a circus acrobat, addicted to alcohol and drugs, almost run over by a speeding car on a deserted street, taken into care, hospital, then returning to his favourite spot on the bridge, protected by a former security guard, arms, Klaus- Michael Gruber. Observing the car going past and Alex on the Road, is Michelle, an artist, yet suffering and incapacitating illness, affecting her eyes. She is also on the streets, memories of a failed love affair, wanting to avoid her family who are interested in her getting treatment.

The film is a character study of an odd couple, their interactions, the clashes, getting to know each other, friendship, helping each other.

Alex in fact spends some years in jail after trying to destroy posters asking Michelle to make herself known to family so that she can receive treatment. Eventually, she visits him in jail. When he gets out, they meet up, renew their friendship and, in an extravagant moment, fall into the Seine, are rescued by a barge which is sailing to La Havre – and their future?

1. The title? Paris? The bridge (under repairs 1989-1991)? The lovers, an odd couple?

2. The work of the director, romanticism, bizarre aspects of life and characters, visually spectacular sequences? The musical score, classics and contemporary?

3. The introduction, Alex, drunken state, wandering the road, Michel, with her paintings, the fast car, Alex’s injuries to his leg?

4. The story of Alex, the circus, his age, height, small, gymnastic? Drinking and drugs? Living on the street? His fixed spot? The protection of Hans, their friendship, discussions? The collection of the street people, going to the institution, signing documents, refuge? Alex and his injuries, in the hospital, the cast on his leg, his stick? Seeing him wandering the streets, going to a special spot? Encountering Michelle, his reactions, wanting to oust her, the advice of Hans, his protection?

5. The story of Michelle, her background, family, talent with painting, her illness, her eyes, the deterioration, limitations of site, mental situation, on the street, wandering with her paintings, her paints, the scenes of her painting, relying on her memory, the painting of Alex as he lay on the street, her memory? Her spots, Hans and wanting to move her on? Her eventually talking with him, his listening and help?

6. The development of the friendship between Alex and Michelle, their spots, talking, her leaving, his going to find her? Stealing the fish at the market, their meal, sushi? The gradual confiding in each other?

7. The effect of each on the other, friendship, support, consolation, moments of love?

8. Michelle and her disappearance, the posters searching for her, Alex destroying them, burning them?

9. Michelle, the story of her love for Julien, going to meet him, leaving him?

10. Alex, his behaviour, violence, imprisonment, three years, the change in him?

11. Michelle, her sight restored, coming to visit him, the effect of the absence between them?

12. Alex out of jail, reunited with Michelle, on the bridge, the struggle, falling into the water, underwater, each surfacing, the passing barge, the last trip, the sand, going to Le Havre, there deciding that that was where they wanted to go?

13. The background of the city of Paris, the sites, the life, the people, spectacular aspects, the fireworks, the music, Alex and his gymnastics, Michelle’s paintings?