The Lovers on the Bridge

On Paris's Pont-Neuf, deserted due to renovations, two outcasts find refuge: Alex, a volatile and self-destructive vagrant, and Michèle, a young painter losing her eyesight. Their meeting sparks an unexpected connection; a path to redemption for two people burdened by physical and emotional scars. Amidst fireworks and solitary nights, their relationship deepens, becoming both passionate and precarious. Alex's volatile nature drives him to protect Michèle, while she, haunted by her past and encroaching blindness, struggles to maintain her independence. The City of Light, transformed into a raw and dreamlike space, provides the backdrop for their volatile love story, a tale of tender beauty punctuated by sudden violence. But reality intrudes: their fragile equilibrium is disrupted when Michèle learns of a potential treatment to restore her sight.

In this poignant and visceral film, Leos Carax captures the tragic beauty of love and survival in a cruel world. The Lovers on the Bridge is a heartbreaking ode to passion, fueled by Juliette Binoche and Denis Lavant’s powerful performances, Carax’s bold direction, and stunningly recreated sets in Montpellier. The film is a singular testament to love's defiance against despair.

Thibault Ramet (Lettres, UNIL)