Liebestraum

Liebestraum

Year: 1991

Runtime: 112 mins

Language: English

Director: Mike Figgis

MysteryRomanceThrillerThrillers and murder mysteriesNoir and dark crime dramas

A story of lust, murder and dreams. A man returns to his hometown and a series of dark secrets are revealed.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Liebestraum yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Liebestraum (1991)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Liebestraum (1991). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1990s

Present-day scenes unfold in the early 1990s as Nick returns to care for his ailing birth mother and studies the old building slated for demolition. Interwoven are flashbacks to roughly the 1960s, when the original affair and the murder-suicide occurred. The juxtaposition of a peaceful town with a haunting past drives the drama.

Location

Elderstown, Illinois, Upstate New York

Set in a quiet Midwest town, Elderstown provides the backdrop for a family secret. The nearby downtown features a historic cast-iron department-store building that anchors the mystery. The town’s serene exterior contrasts with a dark history that drives the events.

🏙️ Small-town atmosphere 🏛️ Historic cast-iron architecture 🧭 Mystery of the past 🎨 Photographic backdrop

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:37

Main Characters – Liebestraum (1991)

Meet the key characters of Liebestraum (1991), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Nick Kaminsky (Kevin Anderson)

A professor of architecture who becomes obsessed with a historic cast-iron building and with uncovering his hidden lineage. His curiosity drives him to bridge past and present, pulling him into a perilous emotional triangle. He is analytical, introspective, and compelled by fate and family ties.

🧠 Intellectual 🕵️ Curious 💡 Thoughtful

Jane Kessler (Pamela Gidley)

A photographer who wants to document the old building and whose growing attraction to Nick draws them toward an affair that disrupts Paul's life. She embodies creative ambition and a willingness to face difficult truths, even as love complicates loyalty.

🎨 Creative 💖 Passionate 🔎 Insightful

Paul Kessler (Bill Pullman)

Nick's college friend and the owner of a construction company; he hosts the party where Nick and Jane's relationship begins to intensify. He becomes a witness to the unfolding tragedy and is emotionally devastated by the affair.

🧭 Loyal 🧱 Practical 💬 Reserved

Lillian Anderson Munnsen (Kim Novak)

Nick's birth mother, whose illness frames the present-day drama. Her past actions and the truth she holds about Nick's father anchor the story's revelations and bring the cycle of secrecy into the open as she nears death.

👩‍👦 Maternal 🕰️ Mysterious 🗝️ Holding Secrets

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:37

Major Themes – Liebestraum (1991)

Explore the central themes of Liebestraum (1991), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔄 Cycle of Violence

The film juxtaposes a past murder-suicide with a present-day affair, suggesting that violence and betrayal echo through generations. Nick and Jane's growing bond mirrors the earlier couple's doomed relationship, until truth and consequences overwhelm them. The narrative implies that secrets buried in the family history drive present actions. The final moments hint that breaking the pattern depends on confronting the past.

🕳️ Secrets & Memory

Family secrets buried in the past come to light as Nick investigates his origins and the truth behind his mother's illness. The revelation that Nick's birth mother and father were connected to the original affair reframes Nick's present relationships. The building and hidden history act as a timeline that ties generations together. Memory functions as both record and trap, guiding and confining the characters.

💔 Forbidden Love

Nick and Jane's affair embodies the lure and danger of crossing boundaries. Their romance triggers a cascade of revelations that threaten to repeat the past unless confronted. The triangle tests loyalty and morality, forcing each character to choose between desire and truth.

🏛️ Art & Architecture

Architecture and photography frame the narrative, turning the cast-iron building into a living record of memory. Nick's architectural eye and Jane's photography connect personal history to physical space, showing how art preserves truth.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:37

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Liebestraum

Don't stop at just watching — explore Liebestraum in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Liebestraum is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Liebestraum Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Liebestraum, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Liebestraum Summary

Liebestraum Timeline

Track the full timeline of Liebestraum with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Liebestraum Timeline

More About Liebestraum

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Liebestraum: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Liebestraum

Similar Movies to Liebestraum

Discover movies like Liebestraum that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.