The Lover
1992, French. Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud.
She gave her innocence, her passion, her body. The one thing she couldn't give was her love.
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.
- Runtime
- 1h 55m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- French
- Rated
- R
Start now and it ends at ….
Worth the Hype
Clear your evening for this.
7.0/10 from 792 TMDB viewer ratings.
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Where to watch The Lover
The Lover is streaming on OVID in India.
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YouTubeAvailability in India as of 8 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Cast & crew
- Jean-Jacques AnnaudDirector
- Jane MarchThe Young Girl
- Tony Leung Ka-faiThe Chinaman
- Frédérique MeiningerThe Mother
- Arnaud GiovaninettiThe Elder Brother
- Melvil PoupaudThe Younger Brother
- Lisa FaulknerHelene Lagonelle
- Jeanne MoreauNarrator (voice)
- Xiem MangThe Chinaman's Father
- Philippe Le DemThe French Teacher
- Ann SchaufussAnne-Marie Stretter
- Tania TorrensThe Principal
- Espérance Pham Thai LanFemme
Details
- Released
- 22 January 1992
- Original title
- L'Amant
- Country
- France, United Kingdom, Vietnam
- Written by
- Gérard Brach, Jean-Jacques Annaud
- Box office
- $5M
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News & fan talk
What The Lover is based on
The Lover is based on The Lover, a 1984 novel by Marguerite Duras, published by Les Éditions de Minuit.
Novel · 1984
The Lover
By Marguerite Duras
Published by Les Éditions de Minuit
Source details from Wikidata and TMDB.
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The Lover: quick answers
Is The Lover worth watching?
Our verdict is Worth the Hype: Clear your evening for this. It scores 7.0/10 from 792 TMDB viewer ratings.
How long is The Lover?
The Lover runs 115 minutes (1h 55m).
Does The Lover have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Lover. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Lover parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
The Lover is rated R in India. Check the rating guidance before watching with young children.
Which OTT platform is The Lover on?
The Lover is streaming on OVID in India. (Checked 8 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Lover?
If you liked The Lover, try Lolita, The Quiet American, Anna Karenina.
Who directed The Lover?
The Lover (1992) was directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud and stars Jane March, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Frédérique Meininger.
What is The Lover based on?
The Lover is based on The Lover, a 1984 novel by Marguerite Duras, published by Les Éditions de Minuit.