The Lovers

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The Lovers

R

Released May 26, 2017

1h 34m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

113 Reviews

42%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

A man and his wife, each embroiled in an extramarital affair, are sent reeling when they suddenly fall for the least likely person imaginable -- each other.

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Critics Consensus

With appealing leads and a narrative approach that offers a fresh perspective on familiar themes, The Lovers tells a quietly absorbing story with unexpected emotional resonance.

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Tomris Laffly

Film School Rejects

The Lovers is both a tragedy and a satirical comedy, with an absolutely provocative kicker.

Jan 8, 2018

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Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

The Lovers sustains a poignant tone that makes me choke up every time I watch it.

Dec 26, 2017

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Linda Marric

HeyUGuys

Jacobs not only uses comedy to tell a brilliantly crafted and highly believable story, but is also able to keep his audiences hooked till the very end thanks to his impressive screenplay and faultless storytelling prowess.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 17, 2017

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Erica Peplin

Vague Visages

What I can say for certain is that when I left the theater after The Lovers, the world was bleaker, sadder and less compassionate than the world I had seen before.

Dec 5, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Writer-director Azazel Jacobs does a rather remarkable job of making these colorless and not particularly likable people interesting, but the film grows flaccid in the third act.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 16, 2021

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Michael J. Casey

Michael J. Cinema

Watching it, you might even want to step out on it and court a more interesting movie-hopefully something with a spark.

Rated: 1.5/5

May 18, 2021

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Dallas H

They have such an odd way to flirt. Their foreplay is a little bit off the beaten track. Why is it such an overused movie trope to have a couple visit a single-room movie theater to watch an old classic movie on a spur-of-the-moment date? Not every town in the country has a single-room movie theater cranking out the oldies at all hours of the day.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/21/24

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Janeth C

I enjoyed The Lovers! Destiny works its magic to bring two people again. Always let timing do its thing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/01/24

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Kevin L

Fine writing, strong direction, and exceptional performances. Jacobs has real skill as a writer and behind the camera. Wingers and Letts continue to show they are among our finest screen actors. 3.8 stars

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/10/24

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KB B

It was not bad but I'd probably never watch it again. Watch if there's nothing else on.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/29/24

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Vander A

Warning: This movie may make you want to slit your own throat. Unless the idea of knowing two of the most boring and blandly unattractive people in the world and getting immersed in their boring life along with their boring problems seems like a good time to you. Otherwise skip this movie completely. When people are writing movies, who in the heck thought this would be entertaining????

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/24

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carolyn h

Because there was no character development it was hard to care about the characters as they were presented as morose, whining adults. We just didn't know enough about them to wish for any particular outcome of the relationships.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Azazel Jacobs

Director

Debra Winger

Mary

Tracy Letts

Michael

Melora Walters

Lucy

Aidan Gillen

Robert

Tyler Ross

Joel

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Synopsis

A man and his wife, each embroiled in an extramarital affair, are sent reeling when they suddenly fall for the least likely person imaginable -- each other.

Director: Azazel Jacobs
Producer: Chris Stinson, Ben LeClair
Screenwriter: Azazel Jacobs
Distributor: A24
Production Co: A24
Rating: R (Sexuality and Language)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 26, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.2M
Runtime: 1h 34m

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