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Comedy

The Lovers (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Lovers (2017) movie poster

The Lovers is a 2017 comedy directed by Azazel Jacobs, starring Tracy Letts, Debra Winger and Aidan Gillen. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $2.2 million worldwide on a $50 million budget. Critics gave it 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.6/10.

IMDb rating
4.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
81%
worldwide gross
$2.2M
Echo Score
71
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The Lovers (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Director
Azazel Jacobs
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$50M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Lovers About?

The premise of The Lovers without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A long-married couple, played by Tracy Letts and Debra Winger, finds their passionless marriage heading towards divorce. Unexpectedly, a spark reignites their relationship, leading them to impulsively begin an affair. This reckless decision throws them into a humorous and chaotic situation as they attempt to navigate the complications of infidelity and the relationships they’ve recently established.

The Lovers Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • death of a lover
  • two time periods
  • actor plays two roles
  • eternal love
  • repeated scene
  • lost ring
  • india
  • story within a story
  • interconnecting rings
  • time travel
  • stolen ring
  • interracial romance
+38 more
  • nonlinear timeline
  • interracial relationship
  • blood dripping onto someone's face
  • panther
  • panther licking human blood
  • praying
  • forgery
  • forged letter
  • forewarning
  • stealing a ring
  • theft
  • scissors
  • knocked off a horse by a tree limb
  • armor
  • stealing a horse
  • helicopter
  • revolving door
  • deception
  • encampment
  • suspense
  • hit in the face
  • woman hit in the face
  • euthanasia
  • screaming
  • wedding anniversary
  • talking to the camera
  • death of a king
  • marine archaeologist
  • crying woman
  • epic
  • year 2020
  • captain
  • british east india company
  • brain dead
  • boston massachusetts
  • muder
  • year 1778
  • betrayal
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Cast & crew

The Lovers Cast

Tracy Letts leads the cast, with Debra Winger and Aidan Gillen. Directed by Azazel Jacobs; 6 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Lovers

· 2 more
From the director

More from Azazel Jacobs

More films directed by Azazel Jacobs, best-rated first: His Three Daughters, French Exit, Momma's Man and Terri.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Lovers Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Lovers 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in sensory experience (50).

71 /100

The Lovers Echo Score Breakdown

While The Lovers draws strength from its confident direction and nuanced performances, it occasionally falters in its narrative pacing. Many critics praised its smart comedic tone and engaging exploration of mature romance, noting its subtle wit and character interplay. User responses highlighted thin structural elements and uneven momentum, as well as a distracting orchestral underscore. The film's blend of charm and occasional awkwardness results in a modestly appealing comedy-drama with a mixed but generally positive resonance.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, The Lovers benefits from clear directorial choices and consistent visual presentation. Reviews emphasize Jacobs’s controlled framing and tidy production design, while the camera’s unobtrusive style supports intimate scenes. Critics noted occasional theatrical shifts in staging, and some users found editing uneven. Overall, the film’s visual coherence remains a steady asset.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film excels through richly drawn performances. Debra Winger and Tracy Letts project layered wit and disappointment, and supporting roles add depth to family dynamics. Critics celebrated the actors’ chemistry and authentic rapport. Some viewers noted fluctuating character arcs, yet the central couple’s emotional resonance endures strongly.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, The Lovers presents a familiar premise filtered through mature perspectives. Critics found its blend of comedy and cynicism engaging, but several reviews pointed to an uneven pace and a conclusion that divides opinions. User feedback frequently cited thin plotting and abrupt transitions. The net effect is a narrative that intrigues more than it satisfies.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    When evaluating the sensory experience, The Lovers pairs unobtrusive visuals with a prominent orchestral score. While some critics appreciated the film’s subtle soundscapes and cohesive visual tone, user commentary often criticized the music as overly soap-opera–like and the sound design as intrusive. Despite neat cinematography and clear props, the soundtrack’s pendulum shift can distract from immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s mature themes and performances suggest potential for repeat viewings. Critics noted enduring appeal in its adult-centric humor and character interplay, though the slow pacing may limit its allure on subsequent viewings. Audience feedback raised concerns about its modest narrative depth. Consequently, the film’s lasting appeal remains moderate, inviting selective revisits rather than frequent replays.

Plot

The Lovers Plot Summary

What happens in The Lovers from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Mary and Michael are a married couple living under the same roof but already emotionally estranged, each carrying a long-running affair—she with Robert and he with Lucy. They have promised to end their marriage after a visit from their son, Joel, and his new girlfriend Erin, hoping the upcoming trip will formalize the distance between them. Yet a spontaneous early-morning kiss between Mary and Michael shatters that plan: what begins as a secret rekindling soon evolves into a renewed, ardent connection, full of intimate moments and a surprising surge of feeling. Meanwhile, their lovers grow increasingly needy and pushy, which makes Mary and Michael harder to tolerate and harder to resist their own resurfacing emotions.

Full summary

The whole story of The Lovers, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Lovers Box Office & Budget

The Lovers grossed $2.2 million worldwide on a $50 million budget. $2.2 million came from the US and Canada and $21,562 (1%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.2M

US & Canada
$2.2M
International
$21.6K
Budget
$50M
US & Canada 99% Rest of the world 1%
Videos

The Lovers Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Lovers.

The Lovers | Official Trailer HD | A24
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Lovers?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is Mary's extramarital lover?

Cars

Cars in The Lovers

9 cars on screen, including the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta A6 Typ 5K and the 1986 Volvo 240.

All 9 cars
  • 2011 Volkswagen Jetta A6 Typ 5K in The Lovers 2011 Volkswagen Jetta A6 Typ 5K Important role
  • 1986 Volvo 240 in The Lovers 1986 Volvo 240 Minor role
  • 1997 Jeep Cherokee in The Lovers 1997 Jeep Cherokee Background role
  • 2008 Subaru Impreza in The Lovers 2008 Subaru Impreza Background role
Details

The Lovers Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “연인들” and “Los amantes”.

Also known as
  • 연인들
  • Los amantes
  • Aşıklar
  • Любовники
  • Kochankowie
  • Os Amantes
  • המאהבים
  • Die Liebenden
  • Mīlnieki
  • 我們的秘密戀人
  • 那些爱人
  • Szeretők
+4 more
  • The lovers - Ritrovare l'amore
  • Įsimylėjėliai
  • Коханці
  • รักที่หวนคืน

Seen The Lovers?

FAQ

The Lovers FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Lovers, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Lovers?

The Lovers runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was The Lovers released?

The Lovers was released on May 5, 2017.

Who directed The Lovers?

The Lovers was directed by Azazel Jacobs.

More films by Azazel Jacobs

Who is in the cast of The Lovers?

The Lovers stars Tracy Letts, Debra Winger and Aidan Gillen, among 6 credited actors.

How much did The Lovers make at the box office?

The Lovers grossed $2.2 million worldwide ($2.2 million domestic, $21,562 international) on a budget of $50 million.

How is The Lovers rated?

The Lovers has 4.6/10 on IMDb, 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 54% on TMDB.

Does The Lovers have a post-credit scene?

No. The Lovers has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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