Product Details

• Actors: Jean-Yves Tual, Anita Ekberg, Dyna Gauzy, Michel Peyrelon, Arno Chevrier
• Directors: Yvan Le Moine
• Writers: Yvan Le Moine, Michel Tournier
• Producers: Yvan Le Moine, Alexandre Heylen, Amedeo Pagani
• Format: Black & White, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Language: French, Italian
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• VHS Release Date: January 16, 2001
• Run Time: 101 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0767849140
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #507,846 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

First time Belgian director Le Moine weaves a grotesque, allegorical tale around the diminutive Lucien Lhotte (Jean Yves Thual), a dwarf who writes fraudulent love letters for an unscrupulous law firm to use as false evidence in divorce cases. When he is called upon to draft scurrilous prose for the firm's largest (in both senses of the word) client - the fading opera diva Countess Paola Bendoni (Anita Ekberg) - he stages a daring seduction that lands him in the arms and bed of the ample singer. However, to Lucien's dismay, their love is fleeting. When the Countess takes back her philandering husband, Lucien descends into a downward spiral of rage, despair and depraved vengeance. But as his inner demons overtake him, a blossoming friendship with a naive young trapeze artist (Michel Peyrelon) offers possible salvation.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lucien's search for companionship, January 20, 2004

By 

Kim Anehall "www.cinematica.org" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Red Dwarf (DVD)

Red Dwarf is a fine cinematic experience about Lucien, a withdrawn man short in stature and longing for affection, who writes letters for parties in divorce cases for his law firm. This is a tragic position for Lucien, since he deems himself plagued in regards to affectionate relationships. One day he meets the acrobatic orphan Isis, who lives in a circus while also befriending Paola Bendoni, an important client for his law firm. Lucien initiates a love affair with Paola, but he is rejected as Paola is only interested in a lustful adventure. This is something new to Lucien and he finds himself lost in the swirl of emotions trailing the rejection. After having regained some self-esteem, he quits his job and pursues his fatherly care for the young acrobat. Red Dwarf is a tragedy that captivates the mind as the sorrow of Lucien is depicted on the silver screen, and it provides several lesson for the viewers to think about. Le Moine has also mixed a number of controversial issues into the film that will keep the viewers feeling a flow to the film and provide an opportunity for self scrutiny of beliefs.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dark yet touching, June 12, 2000

By 

Catherine Desimone "Digimom" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Red Dwarf (Le Nain Rouge) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I rented this movie purely on the basis that it looked strange and interesting. I was right it was strange and interesting. The film is about a dwarf who works for some sort of law firm. He befriends a little girl who works at a circus and starts having an affair with one of the firm's clients. Many strange things happen and the film becomes very dark and depressing. Despite this the movie is very good and the friendship between the dwarf and the little girl is very touching. The film is sort of like a David Lynch film, but more sentimental. The actor who plays the dwarf also does a very good job, and I liked the ending very much.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sometimes the edge of sanity is where true greatness lies, October 27, 2003

By 

a 16 y/o viewer (Omaha, NE United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Red Dwarf (DVD)

dont believe what some of the other reviewers are saying this is truly one of the best films to deal with the hardships of being in a world that isnt suited for you. it is one of the bleakest yet poignantly executed studies of a man who is on the "edge" that i have ever seen. contrary to what some viewers are saying there is resolve in the end you just have to find it. at times it will make you laugh with its subtle humor and at others you will feel empathy and sadness. it is a perfect blend of comedy and tragedy with an ending that is very sublime but ends the film on a happy note. in short i would recommend this film to anyone who can deal with a film that isnt loaded with special effects and just relys on its ambience and characters to deliver a unique and enthralling cinematic experience. viva la liberati.