Alex, a young homeless man, is seen as the film begins walking in a drug induced state in the middle of an avenue in Paris; it's a miracle he is not killed!. When he falls, a car almost goes over him, resulting in an ankle fracture. Alex finds Michele, another homeless woman, sleeping in his spot when he returns to the oldest bride in Paris, Pont Neuf, which is being repaired.
Thus, the bridge acts as a refuge for Alex, and Hans, another poor man who has given up on life, or so it seems. Hans supplies Alex with drugs, and the new arrival is a threat, as far as he can see. Alex is taken with the mysterious Michele, who has an eye patch and appears to be losing her vision, something we are never told what caused it.
Michele is a girl that comes from privilege, judging by a letter Alex finds. It's clear to see the hold the young woman has on the homeless man, and he falls head over heels with her. The happiness, alas, is short lived. Alex has discovered a poster in the metro asking about Michele's whereabouts. In it, a pending operation that will save her eye is mentioned. Alex, who doesn't want to lose her, starts a series of fires that has a tragic consequence.
Suffice it to say that the two lovers are reunited after they both seem to have dealt with their problems and we watch them sailing the Seine toward what appears will be a happier life.
Leos Carax got excellent performances out of the two leads. Juliette Binoche makes an enigmatic Michele and Dennis Lavant is convincing as Alex. Klaus Michael Gruber is seen as Hans.
The film could have improved with badly needed editing. Jean Yves Escoffier, the cinematographer captures the magnificent fireworks from the celebration of Bastille Day in Paris. The music by David Bowie, Dimitri Shostakovich and Benjamin Britten is heard in the background.
Thus, the bridge acts as a refuge for Alex, and Hans, another poor man who has given up on life, or so it seems. Hans supplies Alex with drugs, and the new arrival is a threat, as far as he can see. Alex is taken with the mysterious Michele, who has an eye patch and appears to be losing her vision, something we are never told what caused it.
Michele is a girl that comes from privilege, judging by a letter Alex finds. It's clear to see the hold the young woman has on the homeless man, and he falls head over heels with her. The happiness, alas, is short lived. Alex has discovered a poster in the metro asking about Michele's whereabouts. In it, a pending operation that will save her eye is mentioned. Alex, who doesn't want to lose her, starts a series of fires that has a tragic consequence.
Suffice it to say that the two lovers are reunited after they both seem to have dealt with their problems and we watch them sailing the Seine toward what appears will be a happier life.
Leos Carax got excellent performances out of the two leads. Juliette Binoche makes an enigmatic Michele and Dennis Lavant is convincing as Alex. Klaus Michael Gruber is seen as Hans.
The film could have improved with badly needed editing. Jean Yves Escoffier, the cinematographer captures the magnificent fireworks from the celebration of Bastille Day in Paris. The music by David Bowie, Dimitri Shostakovich and Benjamin Britten is heard in the background.