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The Lovers

Play trailer Poster for The Lovers R 2017 1h 34m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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The Lovers

The Lovers

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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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Critics Reviews

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Tomris Laffly Film School Rejects 01/08/2018
The Lovers is both a tragedy and a satirical comedy, with an absolutely provocative kicker. Go to Full Review Ben Sachs Chicago Reader 12/26/2017
The Lovers sustains a poignant tone that makes me choke up every time I watch it. Go to Full Review Linda Marric HeyUGuys 10/17/2017
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Erica Peplin Vague Visages 12/05/2023
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. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 08/16/2021
2.5/4
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. Go to Full Review Michael J. Casey Michael J. Cinema 05/18/2021
1.5/5
Watching it, you might even want to step out on it and court a more interesting movie-hopefully something with a spark. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dallas H @RT53171010 12/21/2024 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. See more Janeth C @RT08019995 11/01/2024 I enjoyed The Lovers! Destiny works its magic to bring two people again. Always let timing do its thing. See more Kevin L @Lakeman 07/10/2024 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 See more KB B @Okbullard 06/29/2024 It was not bad but I'd probably never watch it again. Watch if there's nothing else on. See more Vander A @RT27493688 01/17/2024 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???? See more carolyn h @RT09614790 12/31/2022 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. See more Read all reviews
The Lovers

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Lovers

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Movie Info

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