🎞 MTDbBest ofBy yearBy genreBy runtimeBrowse (app)

MTDb › Best of › 1992 › The Lover

The Lover poster

The Lover (1992)

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

7.0/10 · 785 votes 1h 55m r RomanceDrama

#26 of 75 films from 1992 #496 of 1371 in romance

Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud · Written by Gérard Brach, Jean-Jacques Annaud, Marguerite Duras

▶ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

A poor French teenage girl engages in an illicit affair with a wealthy Chinese heir in 1920s Saigon. For the first time in her young life she has control, and she wields it deftly over her besotted lover throughout a series of clandestine meetings and torrid encounters.

Cast

Jane Marchas The Young Girl
Tony Leung Ka-faias The Chinaman
Frédérique Meiningeras The Mother
Arnaud Giovaninettias The Elder Brother
Melvil Poupaudas The Younger Brother
Lisa Faulkneras Helene Lagonelle
Jeanne Moreauas Narrator (voice)
Xiem Mangas The Chinaman's Father
Philippe Le Demas The French Teacher
Ann Schaufussas Anne-Marie Stretter
Tania Torrensas The Principal
Espérance Pham Thai Lanas Femme
Hélène Patarotas The Assistant Mistress
Yvonne Wingerteras The Writer (beginning)

Facts

Release dateJanuary 22, 1992
Runtime115 min (1h 55m) — about the same as the 1992 average of 109 min
GenresRomance, Drama
Original titleL'Amant
LanguageFR
Box office$5,013,090
IMDbtt0101316

More from Jean-Jacques Annaud

The Name of the RoseThe Name of the Rose1986 · ★ 7.5 · 2h 10m Enemy at the GatesEnemy at the Gates2001 · ★ 7.4 · 2h 11m Two BrothersTwo Brothers2004 · ★ 7.2 · 1h 49m Seven Years in TibetSeven Years in Tibet1997 · ★ 7.2 · 2h 16m The BearThe Bear1988 · ★ 7.1 · 1h 37m Quest for FireQuest for Fire1981 · ★ 7.0 · 1h 40m

If you liked The Lover

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

Forrest GumpForrest Gump1994 · ★ 8.5 · 2h 22m Dilwale Dulhania Le JayengeDilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge1995 · ★ 8.5 · 3h 10m Cinema ParadisoCinema Paradiso1988 · ★ 8.4 · 2h 4m A Dog's WillA Dog's Will2000 · ★ 8.4 · 1h 44m In the Mood for LoveIn the Mood for Love2000 · ★ 8.1 · 1h 39m Chungking ExpressChungking Express1994 · ★ 8.0 · 1h 43m Before SunriseBefore Sunrise1995 · ★ 8.0 · 1h 41m TitanicTitanic1997 · ★ 7.9 · 3h 14m

Questions

How long is The Lover?
The Lover runs 115 minutes (1h 55m).
Is The Lover worth watching?
TMDB users give it 7/10 across 785 votes, which places it #26 of 75 films released in 1992 in this index (top 67%) and #496 among 1371 romance titles.
Who directed The Lover?
The Lover was directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. Other well-rated titles by the same director: The Name of the Rose (1986), Enemy at the Gates (2001), Two Brothers (2004).
Who stars in The Lover?
Jane March as The Young Girl; Tony Leung Ka-fai as The Chinaman; Frédérique Meininger as The Mother; Arnaud Giovaninetti as The Elder Brother; Melvil Poupaud as The Younger Brother; Lisa Faulkner as Helene Lagonelle.
What is The Lover rated?
It carries a r certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for The Lover?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/5416.

Browse

Best of 1992Best romanceRomance of the 1990sBest dramaDrama of the 1990sAll lists
MTDb·Best films by year, genre and runtime·A century in numbers·Browse and watch trailers

Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.