Original subtitles

Francine Forget came to your party

to ask your forgiveness.

And she came to see your father.

To find out more about Jean.

Still, it's quite something to approach you,

34 years later,

with the real letter her brother wrote before he died.

That takes nerve.

No?

FIRES

Hello.

A good-looking teenage boy

wants to be a girl.

He goes to see a doctor.

Why weren't you at brunch on Sunday?

You'll have to ask your mother.

She said you wanted to go

after what Dr Lemaire told you.

What?

Well, that your brother

wanted a sex change.

And you'd had enough.

Your mother made it quite clear she didn't want me to stay.

I wish I hadn't gone.

I came off disturbed.

I'm not one of you.

We're from different worlds.

I had no right to come.

What happened?

She didn't mention the letter?

What letter?

The one Jean wrote before he died.

No.

Drop you at the pool?

He was my age?

He blames himself.

For having loved a man.

No. Not only that.

There's something else.

Look. Here, he says:

"I've hurt those around me. Who?

Jean was kindness itself.

Maybe if he hurt someone, that person got revenge?

- Remi invited me fishing. - Yes, I heard.

You, alone for 4 days.

It'd be great to spend a day together.

Maybe even a whole night?

- I have to get going. - Claudine...

These moments with you are just amazing.

I feel the same.

Any calls? Any messages?

No. Nothing.

Oh no... Mylene called.

- "Mylene"? - Marc's Mylene.

What does she want?

Listen to her message.

Oh my God! You gave me a fright.

Was the pool good?

Yes.

Did Jean Forget hurt anyone?

Of course not. Why do you ask that?

I'm curious.

Why was he beaten? Because he was gay?

Maybe.

Were you in love?

No.

Let's say we were very close.

- You slept with him? - God! No.

You wanted to.

I want to come to the pool with you next week.

Of course. I'd love that.

Normally, your things reek of chlorine. Not this time.

When's our trip to your parents' in Saguenay?

Marc!

What?

- Your head in the clouds? - Is it soon?

- The first week in July. - Oh yeah! That's right.

- What? - I knew there was something.

- No. You didn't forget? - No, no.

It's just that...

You know, the fishing trip, in northern La Tuque, avec Remi...

- What "fishing trip"? - I told you 2 or 3 days ago.

- You never mentioned that. - Yes, yes, I did.

You... I hate it when...

- You didn't tell me. - Don't worry. Forget it.

Bye, stubborn little dude.

Have a good day.

No class, I'm going to see Grandma.

I whipped something up.

- There are 2 formats. - That's good. I won't wait.

Cool outfit, Claudine.

- Thanks. - She has a big lunch.

Marc: Hi! Isn't life...

Marc Lemaire.

He's an early bird. I like them both, Alex.

Get both, then.

You can alternate.

Got your ball dress?

It's not for a week.

At the last minute, she'll scream: "Help, Mum!"

Oh yeah, I thought I'd get Francine Forget to do my hair.

I want to know why she left your party.

If I take you there, Stephanie!

Marc: Hi! Isn't life beautiful? Remi fishing.

Mylene and Herve in Saguenay. You and me?

No one normal would do that.

Write another letter,

say her brother wrote it.

It was hard enough for Claudine then.

I kept telling her it wasn't her fault.

I can see why she's angry.

Don't tell her I saw Francine and read the letter.

That's between us.

You should keep away from her.

That woman's not well.

Grandma, her brother killed himself after someone beat him badly.

She wants to know who. It's normal.

It's none of our business.

- Have you been waiting long? - I just got here.

- You want to write about Jean? - Yes. I'm interested in his story.

Thanks.

A teenager

who wants a sex change in the 1980s, sees a doctor,

is a victim of homophobia and commits suicide,

it's rich material.

I want to use it as inspiration for a novel.

I understand.

I must say...

since Marc told me about the letter Francine gave you...

He told you about that?

It's fascinating.

That she wrote a letter

and pretended Jean wrote it, it's incredible.

Thanks for not telling Marc we're meeting.

I want to have a solid story first.

You're the only one I've told.

I brought you some photos.

Can't you see? I'm fascinated in the fire, Jean Forget...

Half an hour after Claudine got home,

the phone rang.

It was our friend Maurice,

to warn us there was a fire at the Lemaires'.

I can tell you, it didn't take long.

We got dressed, jumped in the car.

When we got there, it was all ablaze.

- The little boy saw Claudine... - Marc?

He lunged at her.

The doctor arrived after that.

It's strange...

He came and dropped the girls off,

but got home after us.

Yes, that's true.

What did he do?

Your grandfather learned later

from his friend Maurice... - Detective?

Yes.

On that night,

someone saw the doctor

with Jean Forget.

After he dropped Mum home,

he saw Jean Forget? - Yes.

In the doctor's car.

And then...

it implied that...

- What? - Well, you know...

They were kissing.

Right?

Look at him.

Whenever Maurice is mentioned, he...

We never went

to his place.

He was ashamed of his family.

His father was an alcoholic and his mother was a bit meek.

Submissive.

In fact, Jean was always at our house.

Mentioned my father-in-law?

I didn't know he was seeing Dr Lemaire.

- Surely... - No.

It's funny. You knew he wanted a sex change.

Not really.

He talked about wanting to dress like a girl.

When he was in my room, he'd often try on my clothes.

It was fun.

Did you keep the letter Francine wrote to you?

God! You've got me there...

I don't know.

Could you check?

It'd be interesting to see her handwriting,

her style.

How do you know that?

Pops' pal, Maurice, was investigating the fire.

5 minutes for each hand.

It wouldn't surprise me, my brother and Dr Lemaire.

When I saw him at the party...

I dunno... I don't trust him. His face.

He left Rimouski after the fire.

He wanted to skip the party.

Don't forget,

Jean was 17. He was a minor.

So, the great, award-winning paediatrician,

no more boasting, that's for sure.

Hi. I don't want to bother you.

I just wanted to say I'm thinking of you,

wish you a good weekend.

That's kind.

No. Purely selfish reasons.

I can hear your voice and feel close to you.

Going to the country?

Yes.

Get my message?

Yes.

What do you think?

Well...

it's a bit complicated.

Leave it to me.

Can you meet now?

No.

It was worth a try.

Claudine?

I have to be home by 7 pm.

Okay. Good. I'm on my way.

- Hello, honey. - I've got big wigs from Toronto.

They want to have a drink. I can't refuse.

Okay. That's fine.

I'll be home at 7 pm.

We'll leave for the cottage at 8 pm, I promise.

There's leftover pasta.

I'll be fine. Only 1 glass, I don't want to drive.

I have mineral water with clients.

I know, darling. I'm winding you up. See you.

"He shall serve me.

"He who walks in a perfect way.

"He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house,

"he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.

"Morning by morning, will I destroy

"all the wicked of the land to cut off from Jehovah City

"all the workers of iniquity."

Psalm 101,

Verses 6 to 8.

In the image of Our Lord, Jesus Christ,

we should be able to say:

"I am the way,

"the truth, the life."

Or at least we should, all day long,

strive for this ideal of perfection.

- Yes, Remi. - Missed each other's calls.

I wanted to say sorry, I can't make the fishing trip.

We're going to Saguenay,

Mylene's family. - Next year, then?

Yes. Then I can plan around it. It was a bit short-notice.

Francine Forget,

her number is 514-555-0184.

- 555-0184? - Yes.

Her salon is in Saint-Hubert, in the Plaza.

Okay.

- Holidays soon? - I've had enough.

Just one more exam to go and the ball next week.

I wanted Jean to sleep over, but Mum said no.

Imagine a guy sleeping in your bedroom!

8 of clubs.

If you knew he was gay, would you have let him?

Still no. 9 no trumps.

Remi, if Alex told you he wanted to change sex...

I wouldn't say... It'd be a shock.

We accept our kids as they are.

- Your turn, Remi. - No call.

It's hard to love your fellow man,

your neighbour or your colleague, just the way they are.

They're different, you reject them.

For loving another man, Francine's brother

was almost beaten to death.

Yes, Etienne?

It says in the letter: "My love has killed me."

Exactly.

We could interpret it another way.

In other words?

"My love has killed me",

"my love"

could be the man he loved.

So...

if you replace the word "love" with "man",

that makes "the man I loved has killed me"?

It seems strange, but you see what I mean.

Interesting.

We like the evening, but we have to get up early.

If you like, we can have one last group prayer,

for Francine's wish to be granted.

- Then, you can go. - It's been a long time...

Let yourself go.

Jacques will guide you.

We never ask enough. Ask a lot,

get a little. - Group prayer is powerful.

We'll ask the Lord to intervene on your behalf.

We could all hold hands.

Close your eyes.

Almighty God,

in the name of our friend Francine, who is turning to You,

we ask You to bring into her life the one her brother loved

and, if possible, the one who hurt him,

in order to appease her childhood heart

and for her soul to find peace.

Blessed art Thou,

Lord Jesus Christ

Amen

God is love.

I love open endings.

Think they'll live together?

Yes.

And will it last?

A while, at least.

I don't think it will last long.

I walked right into it. I was trapped.

It doesn't matter, Francine.

Can you believe I prayed? No. He scares me.

Calm down.

Something amazing happened.

There was this man, I found out he's a policeman, who said...

Just thinking about it makes me shiver.

- What? - It makes me wonder

if Lemaire beat up my brother.

How come?

What's on your mind?

Nothing.

Liar.

I was thinking of 2 things.

One, Remi's still waiting for my reply about fishing.

I'm keen to do it once in my life.

And it's with the kids.

But it's too late.

If I'd known earlier...

Yeah, yeah. It's fine. You wanted to know.

And the other thing?

What?

You were thinking of 2 things.

I was thinking about us.

About you, Herve, our future.

- And? - That's all.

Hey, you started.

What about "our future"?

I was wondering what everyone wonders:

where will we be in 20 years?

What will Herve be like? When he's 20, I'll be 60.

That sort of nonsense.

It's not nonsense.

You're handsome when you're pensive.

Almost finished?

About 10 more to do.

You're amazing.

Thanking each person...

It's the least I could do.

- I'm going up. - I'll join you shortly.

What made your dad marry Helene?

Love.

Yes. I got that much.

But why now?

Because they're ready.

I don't know.

In life, at a certain point,

you feel like you have to do things.

Has he lived with another woman?

No.

Did you want him to when you were younger?

I'd have wanted it for him.

It often felt like he was just living for me.

But I didn't miss that, if that's what you meant.

I think, after my mother's death,

my father never got close to a woman for fear of losing her.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight to you. Thanks again.

Did it go well?

I look awesome in Mylene's dresses.

Very funny!

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

Have a good evening?

Okay.

Let's just say my mind was...

elsewhere.

On a terrace in Tuscany eating antipasti,

with a nice glass of wine.

Marc...

Goodnight.

I have an idea.

What if, after the solicitor, the kids came here?

We could have Champagne. It's a major event.

Getting the keys to their first place.

- Yes. - Invite Marc. We owe him that.

We don't owe him anything.

- He got a nice fat commission. - It could be fun.

Okay then. It's my swimming night.

- Send him a message. - No. It's your idea.

I don't know what to put.

- You're better than me. Call him. - I'm hopeless.

You're the communications pro.

Honestly, sometimes, you're...

Message from Remi. Just a moment, baby.

"Champagne at our house with the kids after solicitor."

That's cool. Champagne!

See, baby,

every time something important happens in your life,

you take a step forward, we'll celebrate it.

A pledge, man to man.

You say he wasn't effeminate, I'm surprised.

Well, he wasn't built like a football player either.

In the photo with Claudine, he looks quite androgynous.

Jean was a girl.

His internal mechanisms matched the female psyche.

He must have valued you.

I don't know.

Were you attached to him?

I didn't want him alone with his issues,

his turmoil.

Who could he confide in there?

It's funny, he never told Claudine or you

about the man he loved.

You know,

the lover story,

I say this without prejudice,

I wonder if he invented it.

Jean had a strong propensity for mythomania, fabulation.

Sometimes, he got carried away.

He had ideas of grandeur.

Like what?

He wanted to be an actress.

He pictured himself at the Oscars.

He was lively,

intelligent, brilliant.

Maybe too much so.

He was headstrong.

What did you like most about Jean?

The woman.

- Cheers! - To you, my gorgeous kids.

To your first home.

You have to live in it now. Take care of it, pamper it.

- Give it a soul. - Thanks.

Thanks. You're really incredible.

I can't wait until I'm 18.

And thank you to Marc too,

who found you a damn fine duplex.

Yes. Thank you.

Look, I'd like to take the...

but it's thanks to you that I'm here.

If you hadn't stopped at the cube...

- True. - ... I wouldn't be here.

Claudine didn't want a real estate agent.

He won't let me forget that.

Yes I will.

To this wonderful adventure.

Cheers!

We're painting it this weekend.

Yes, but if the weather's like this...

Don't bug Marc.

He's given us fantastic after-sales service....

I'm off. My pool time.

- I'm coming too. - No. I'm going.

- I'll pop off now too. - Already?

What about your exam?

Oh yeah. That's true. Next week then.

- I can drop you off. - No, thanks. I'll walk.

- No... - Marc!

- Can you drop me off? - Sure, no problem.

- I'll take you, it's on my way. - If you want.

Which tube is it?

- After the pool. I'll show you. - I'd rather...

- On Bisaillon corner. - Okay. Yes. I know.

I know the way.

- What about the pool? - I know a shortcut.

You can drop Claudine off first.

Yes, but I have to go that way afterwards anyway...

it's all good.

No problem.

We dodged a bullet.

I'm going to the pool.

Not to the hotel.

No. I mean it.

Drive me to the pool.

I can't play this game.

The sneaking, the lies.

Let's have a break this week, if you don't mind.

We can talk early next week.

I'll contact you.

He treats the boy who wants to become a girl...

Who is in actual fact a girl...

Does the doctor fall for the girl?

What are you doing?

I'm looking... it upsets me... for the friggin' letter for Francine.

- What's all this? - Where did I put it?

What's going on?

I don't know.

Turning 50...

stirs everything up.

I love you.

Remi, I love you.

It's going to be 33 degrees today.

33!

Great for the ball tonight.

What time do we leave the house?

5.30 pm at the latest.

Is she still doing her hair at...

What's-her-name... Francine Forget?

No, no. That was just to rile me.

She and Fatima are getting it done together.

From Marc: Impossible to wait :)

Need to see you today if you can.

Our daughter's ball!

Know what? My appointment

ends at noon. Shall we do lunch?

I join you or you join me. What do you think?

Okay. Yeah.

It's Jerome. I really have to take it.

Jerome?

- What's urgent? - I'll put him in.

Tell them to wait.

I'll find it for you as soon as I get there.

- I said they'd have it at 11 am. - Okay. They will.

Hi.

I'm so happy to hear you.

I want to see you.

When?

Right now.

Midday at the latest, I have to be gone.

Our hotel in half an hour?

I'd prefer Dominion Square.

Fine by me.

I'm on my way.

What were you doing Doctor Lemaire with Jean Forget

while your house was burning?

You'll be mad,

but I have an emergency.

We said 11 am.

- It's Claudine. - No!

- I'll be there at noon. - You're pissing me around!

It'll be done by 12.15 pm. I'll bring them myself.

It's hard to believe, I was jealous of Claudine.

He spent more time with her than us.

He had a point.

Our place wasn't liveable.

It was dirty, grimy. It was embarrassing.

The only beautiful thing was him.

It was Jean.

He was...

radiant.

You saw him, and then...

You really loved him.

Jean was my big brother. I was in awe of him.

Do you regret what happened?

No.

Not at all.

I needed intensity.

For sure.

And you awakened my desire.

You opened my eyes to what I have.

What we lose sight of or take for granted.

Thank you.

I was just a digression.

A gift.

A wonderful gift.

When I saw Jean after he was beaten,

I almost vomited; he looked so awful.

That bad?

The horror. Imagine: an open wound instead of a face.

A monster.

He left the hospital, came home...

Holed up in his room.

Two weeks later,

he killed himself.

I really have to go.

No.

It can't end like this.

It can't be over.

We have to find a way to keep it alive.

I'm scared, Marc.

Of what?

Of losing what matters most to me.

The idea of hurting Remi, Alex and Steph, if they ever found out,

it's killing me.

Here.

- A tip for you. - Thank you.

That's lovely.

You know where I am.

Here...

I photocopied Jean's letter for you.

You can keep it.

- Are you sure? - Yeah.

For Jean to live on in your book.

As for me...

I need to turn the page.

As Claudine Grenier helped me understand:

it's up to me to forgive myself.

Whoever hurt Jean, I'll never find them.

One last thing,

do what you want with it, if it helps:

while your husband's house burned,

Jean was with your father-in-law.

They were seen in his car,

kissing.

The dust will settle.

We'll give it time.

I'm so pleased I saw you.

Take good care.

Are you going to the cottage?

- It's Steph's ball tonight. - Oh yes, that's right.

And tomorrow, we paint the duplex.

It's funny, I can't see you with a roller.

And yet...

Right, well...

It'll be okay.

Have a good weekend.

Let's organise something soon,

with Mylene, Remi...

- Both our families. Okay? - Yes.

From Claudine: Sorry. Can't find the letter.

Let's all get together soon.

- What's wrong? - There's no time.

- Is he in danger? - Jump in a taxi.

- Tell me it's not serious. - I don't know.

- How can you not know? - I'll explain later.

Subtitles: ECLAIR