Original subtitles

"In Paris, a rendezvous

"May not always be for you.

"It may be a surprise,

"or it may be unwise..."

A7 PM RENDEZVOUS

See you Saturday, then.

That's a long way off.

I'm free tonight.

I've an exam tomorrow.

I'll study all night.

I'm busy tomorrow night.

You can't move your work up?

No, I've a file to complete, and I don't have all the data.

So we'll meet for dinner.

Tonight?

No, tomorrow.

I said it's impossible.

You can break off for a little while.

No, if I dine with you, I'll want to stay.

Let's be smart and save our strength for Saturday, OK?

I guess so.

Have a good day.

Esther!

How're things?

Hi, Felix, you OK?

Excuse me, I'm in a rush.

There's a party at Rodrigue's tomorrow night.

I hope you'll come.

I know, but I can't make it.

Try. We'd love to have you.

No, tomorrow is really out.

If your boyfriend doesn't want to, you come alone.

Who said he didn't want to?

I don't know...

"Want to" isn't it, he can't come.

He's got work to do.

So come alone.

Why not?

I don't want to.

I can't let him slave all night while I party.

That's what love is.

Let it be a lesson to you.

He doesn't mind going out without you.

What nonsense!

So you say!

I know him, you don't.

Maybe you don't.

You can't see the woods for the trees.

Know the "Dame Tarting" café near the Pompidou Museum?

No, I dislike that area.

Your buddy likes it. Or he knows a chick who likes it.

What?

I often see him there with her, around 7 pm.

Often?

Twice, so far. I don't hang out there.

He can have a drink with anyone he likes.

Every day?

You just said you only saw him twice!

He's not there every day because it happens

that yesterday at 7 pm he was with me a mile away.

And Tuesday night?

Day before yesterday?

That's right.

You look worried.

Certainly not!

Anyway, I don't need a spy!

If that's all you have to say, forget it!

Listen, I just wanted to say,

if he goes out on his own, So can you.

That's no insinuation.

I only said what everyone knows. I hope you know it too.

You're full of hot air.

Now go away! Good-bye!

Come to the party anyway?

I said no!

Bye, Esther.

Hermione?

Yes, "Major offenses in civil law.”

I think it went alright.

I'm calling to say I'll be late.

I need to nap for a while.

Let's say around 4 pm?

Sorry I'm late.

It's OK.

So your written exam went well?

I think so.

How sweet, you have everything set up.

Leery of the oral?

No, but I still need to put in 5 or 6 hours of work.

Was it this course?

If not, you can do Javillier's.

No, this one's fine.

I half-know it already.

Then you'll breeze through it.

Probably.

You don't look happy about it.

But I am!

Tea?

Something else? Fruit juice?

No, thanks.

You've been crying!

No.

Well, yes. But it's nothing.

Really?

An idiotic idea drifted into my head.

An idea?

Just my imagination, it's nothing real.

Horace!

Why him?

Yes, him. I love him, I think about him.

So you cry?

It's nothing!

Did you fight?

Not at all.

I told you, I'm imagining things.

That he'll ditch you?

Certainly not!

But you're scared you'll lose him?

Yes, a bit, since I love him.

Not if he loves you as you love him.

He loves me as much.

- You sure? - Yes!

Absolutely sure? Positive?

You can never be sure of anything!

Especially when people insinuate... all kinds of things.

What are you getting at?

Esther!

Say what you like, I won't believe a word!

I don't mean anything!

Esther, you know me!

Esther? Are you listening?

If you think I'm insinuating...

It's not you!

It's that creep Felix!

He says he saw Horace with a girl in a café.

Horace told me he was dining with his parents that night!

Felix? He's crazy about you!

He wants you all to himself!

True or false, such things hurt!

Maybe.

But if you flip whenever you see your guy with a chick,

you're in for a lot of weeping.

Have you seen him?

No.

Not since you met him.

But before that,

you know he always had 3 or 4 girls on the string.

Yes, he was a skirt-chaser.

Well, those days are over.

I feel I can change him.

He must choose: it's me or the others.

All or nothing!

How will you go about it?

I won't shitty-shally.

I'll make him face up to things.

I'll remind him we vowed never to hide anything.

And the truth will out, as it has.

He'll lie and deny it.

Guys like him are sly.

You'll just make him more secretive.

It's poor tactics.

What's the right tactic?

I don't know.

Do as he does to you: make him jealous.

I don't want to be with someone

if I can't be sincere with him,

if I have to put on an act.

I want to be myself, especially with him.

I won't date other guys to make him jealous.

Then find another guy.

To change him, take him as he is.

That's the only argument he'll accept.

You can't alter human nature.

Of course not, but...

You throw yourself at him too much.

Perhaps.

Maybe one shouldn't reveal one's feelings.

But that's so sad.

Maybe, but it's life.

Whenever I'm myself, it backfires on me.

So when a guy drifts away, I do too, and it works

nine times out of ten.

I hate doing that, too,

but you have to play the game.

Make him feel you're surrounded by guys.

Which guys?

The ones I know don't measure up.

Find new ones.

THE NEXT DAY...

Hi.

Do I know you?

No.

But I won't pester you for long.

You want to pester me?

Certainly not.

But my dentist is on vacation.

And?

The one I'm going to across the street

isn't my regular dentist.

You know where he is, 50 go keep your appointment.

In another 5 minutes: I hate waiting rooms.

That's why you're pestering me?

Only 3 minutes, if you don't mind.

Let me explain.

I don't know this neighborhood.

I was afraid to be late, so I got here early.

Coming out of the subway, I saw you and figured

I'd be stupid to pass you up.

The best encounters happen when you least expect them,

when you start or end a vacation,

or have an urgent appointment.

My bad luck turned good

because it made me bold.

Boldness doesn't always pay.

I'm afraid it'll make you late.

Maybe. When do I see you again?

When you return to the dentist?

He'd be a different one.

Then you'll find a different girl

to soothe the anxiety of waiting.

Got a telephone?

No.

Want my number?

Don't bother, I won't call you.

I'll come here every day.

I'm leaving on vacation next week.

OK, so long.

Know the "Dame Tartine" café near the Pompidou?

Yes.

I'll be there,

around seven this evening.

I'd like some honey.

There's light and dark...

Liquid and solid.

Solid...mountain honey.

Wait, I can't find my wallet.

Sorry, I won't buy it.

OK.

See you later.

Sorry.

I'm furious, it drives me nuts!

That's the first time it's happened to me.

It's my fault, I'm too scatterbrained.

It had...

My ID card, my driver's license,

all my student cards.

The doorbell rang.

I'll call you back, Mom,

be good.

Who is it?

Esther Moncoffier?

That's me.

Then this is yours.

My wallet! Come in!

Great! Where'd you find it?

In the Montparnasse market, at noon

I couldn't come sooner, I had a class.

Sit down.

The money's gone, of course.

But the cards are here, that's what counts.

There was only $10 in it, the guy made a bad haul.

Where was it?

On the ground, under a tree.

I found your address inside

and brought it here instead of to the police.

Sorry I couldn't come earlier...my class.

Forgive me.

Please!

How can I thank you?

I'd rather come here than to the cops.

You didn't have to pick it up.

I nearly tripped on it.

I was late, so I walked behind the stalls, under the trees.

He got rid of it fast, without being seen.

Know when it was stolen?

I even know who stole it.

What? Someone you've met?

A guy who tried to hustle me. I couldn't get rid of him.

He was quite handsome, too.

Very polite, for a hustler.

Too polite to be honest.

But no, he seemed to have a kind of false modesty,

a guy who's too shy

to tell his girlfriend he loves her,

but not too shy to try a pick-up.

With just the right dose of awkwardness

so that you don't reject him at once.

Get it?

They're the most dangerous.

As a hustler or a thief?

Both, I guess.

I've heard such stories before.

A friend's wallet was swiped by a guy who tailed her in a store.

Respectable-looking guy,

middle-management type, in a suit and tie.

That wasn't this guy's style.

But he didn't look a doper or poor, either.

Odd.

For $10, it wasn't worth it.

He has to keep changing markets, too.

He'd earn more by begging.

No, at least stealing is exciting.

Especially with a pick-up to boot.

You don't sound too sore.

His disappointment amuses me. If I see him again,

I'll laugh in his face.

Not me. Things like that infuriate me.

6:30 already!

Any bus go to the Pompidou from here?

No, take the subway. Where are you going?

A café near the museum,

"Dame Tartine." Know it?

You're going to the "Dame Tartine"?

Now that's amazing!

The fact is...

I don't know if I can explain this...

You see... when the thief left me,

since I wouldn't take his phone number or give him mine,

he said he'd be at "Dame Tartine" around 7 pm.

A thief who makes dates?

You sure he stole your wallet?

Who else?

If it wasn't him, he'll be there.

Come with me and make sure.

I'd bug you.

Not at all. These things tickle me. I'm curious, too.

OK, I'll come.

I doubt he'll be there.

But I have other reasons for going,

which I can't explain to you now.

Maybe later.

If you like mystery, this is your day!

It suits me, too.

I can't explain now, either.

But you'll see.

We'll see!

Do you like this area?

No.

I do, it's pretty.

As a place, I love it.

But I don't like all the people

sitting on the ground.

No, look, it's mysterious. That's Paris,

mysterious Paris.

Behind the Royal Palace there are weird little streets.

Parisians don't live there.

They're provincials. You from Paris?

No, maybe that's my trouble. I'm from Montpellier.

I'm Paris-born.

You're a real Parisienne.

What's wrong?

Let's go this way.

No, look, my friend's here. He's seen us. Come on.

Listen, Aricie...

What?

Nothing.

He's not the...?

The thief? No.

He's your boyfriend?

Yes. No, not yet.

I really don't want to bug you.

No, I'm glad you're here.

I don't wholly trust the guy.

I'd like a stranger's view.

He seems hooked on me, phones all day long, but...

Tell me what you think.

What?

I want your opinion.

Alright.

Horace.

Esther.

Pleased to meet you.

Have a seat.

I'll be in the way...

No, I'm glad you're here.

It's a good lookout point.

We're waiting for someone.

Can I tell him?

A guy. A very handsome guy.

A thief.. .he steals cash,

not just hearts.

How do you know?

So that's why you came!

Of course.

He won't come.

How do you know?

You look unhappy.

Completely.

Did you know we were old friends?

Childhood friends.

We tell each other everything.

Really?

He believes us!

No, we met barely an hour ago.

You shouldn't have told him.

Sorry. Too bad. Anyway, I found her wallet.

Empty.

Some guy swiped it at the market.

A handsome, charming guy.

Maybe he wasn't the thief. If he comes, that'll prove he wasn't.

Then I'll fall into his arms.

He still doesn't get it.

Not really.

Think about it.

I'll make a phone call.

Some story!

You only met her an hour ago?

Yes, I found her wallet on the ground

and took it to her.

Who's this thief?

She thinks it was a guy who hustled her.

Why would he come here?

He said he would. The fake date was part of his pick-up act.

A date here? It's hard to believe.

It is a coincidence.

Coincidences happen.

Why'd the guy make the date for this place? It's weird.

Why did I, who had a date here,

find the wallet? That's the question.

You told her of me?

I just mentioned the place.

And she came along?

Sure.

I didn't think her coming would annoy you so.

I thought it would amuse you.

If you like, we'll leave.

Wait a sec.

She's tactful. She felt we wanted to talk.

You bet. I have something to tell you.

I must be going.

I've been invited to vacation down south

and I have to leave at once.

A change of scene

is what I need. Paris is sickening at this time of year.

Have a nice evening.

Esther! Wait! Let me explain!

Don't bother, it's all very clear!

You're leaving town?

Sure. If you can go out with girls, I can travel with boys.

I don't care...

...for that girl!

That's not her story.

What's she say?

You run after her.

She's the one who phones me all day.

You can't ditch her?

That's why I'm here, to tell her it's off.

Yeah, sure!

You see I'm running after you

and ignoring her.

Well, go join her.

Your rendezvous was with her.

Wait a minute!

I'm going home. I want to be alone.

Dinner tonight?

We'll take the train. My work can wait.

A plane, then?

Nonsense!

We can drive to Brittany tonight.

I said I want to be alone, and that's that!

And tomorrow?

Tomorrow, too.

- The day after? - Ditto.

Next week?

I dunno. We'll see! Good-bye!.

They left?

Your friends...

What'll you have?

Nothing, I'm off.

You can wait for them.

I'm waiting for no one.

OK.

I know, it's tough.

We're not all lucky enough to have a wallet stolen.

Beer, please.

Dutch, Belgian...?

Dutch.

"A rendezvous can be unwise,

"or be a surprise..."

THE BENCHES OF PARIS

At times I envy bums.

They live in the heart of Paris.

It's a privilege not everyone has.

You could find quarters in the center.

Sure.

But on the edge of town I get twice the space for the price.

It holds all my books.

And out of town?

No place for the books.

It's a rented room.

There's just space for my textbooks.

Over the city line I have space.

A familiar problem.

Soitis.

Now I'm hoping for an apartment in the suburbs.

That's not Paris, either.

20 minutes away.

I can't be too choosy.

Living and working in Paris

is out for the time being.

That doesn't scare me.

I see it as an ideal, a goal in life.

If that's your only goal!

You don't share it, southern gal?

I like Paris.

But Marseilles is better?

If the man I loved didn't like it,

and I really loved him, I'd sacrifice it to him.

You don't have to sacrifice anything.

You'll find a job in Math easier than I will in Lit.

You won't have to go into exile as I will

in the sticks.

I hope not.

But if you had to,

you'd go with your man?

I'd have to be mad about him.

Besides, the question doesn't arise.

I can't love anyone who longs to live in the sticks.

What if he dreams of living in Paris?

If it's a dream, no.

He can just make it come true.

Why quit my present boyfriend, with his brilliant future,

for some teacher dreaming of getting to Paris before he retires.

You keep saying you don't love

your brilliant technocrat.

I don't love you, either.

Not yet?

"Not yet," if it makes you happy. But the decision...

Yes?

...if it happens... may take a very long time.

MEDICIS FOUNTAIN

I wanted you to see this.

The sculpture?

He is Acis, a Sicilian shepherd.

She is Galatea,

a sea nymph.

They're in love.

And him?

He's Polyphemus, the Cyclops.

He loves Galatea, too. He'll toss a rock at them.

I can't see his eyes.

No.

When I first came to Paris, I was in love with that girl.

You brought me here to show me your ex?

To show I was faithful to an image.

She doesn't look like me.

Yes she does. She has long legs.

But she's curvy.

That's her position.

I have hips like a boy's.

No way.

You're feminine, girlish.

- Please! - Nobody's looking.

So? I hate to be touched in public.

The other day, by the river...

River banks are different.

Let's sit down.

Not there. Here, against the tree.

I love to sit against trees.

You're moving the chairs.

Tough!

I don't know about you, but some people hate this park.

I don't, particularly.

Is it too rectilinear?

No. And if it is, you can introduce a bit of novelty.

Paradoxically, I think it's better for lovers

than, say, an English garden.

That's what bothers me.

When I'm with a guy, I don't like seeing other couples.

I want us to be alone, unique.

In a crowd, maybe,

but not with lovers.

When I see girls and boys doing what I do, it...

We're alone.

For the moment.

Are you cold?

We can move.

Certainly not.

Don't want a drink at the café?

I'm not thirsty, thanks.

Some pastry?

Thanks, I'm not hungry.

We're fine here.

You hated it before.

Before?

Before you sat down.

I just preferred this chair to that one.

I'm fine.

What's in your mind?

What I just said.

You've looked worried today.

You're right. I can tell you: I'm not happy here.

Come to the café.

No. By "here"” I mean the whole park.

The park

and the whole Latin Quarter.

Yet you live here.

That's just it!

You're scared to meet Benoit!

Yes. It's stupid, but that's how it is.

You said you didn't care if he saw us.

But not in his neighborhood.

It's your neighborhood, too.

Ours, then.

Two-timing him here is a double betrayal.

He'll be equally unhappy wherever he sees it.

I'm thinking of me, not him.

Here I'd be ashamed, elsewhere I wouldn't.

- Ashamed? -Yes.

He mustn't see me do with someone else what I did with him.

I mean, in the same places.

I want him...

...to know I'm imaginative.

So where do we meet next?

I have an idea, but...

What is it?

It's really two. I'll think it over and call you.

Always mysterious.

That's what makes it fun.

SAINT VINCENT'S CEMETERY

When it comes...

...to modern tombs, I prefer utter simplicity

to lots of slick curlycues.

I prefer this one.

It's like a jungle.

I really like it.

It's back to nature.

But the stuff above it is crummy.

Ridiculous!

As a kid, I resented that some people had houses and others not.

I don't like the houses.

I'd have liked a tree.

Like that?

No. A real tree, with a trunk. Like those.

For example...

You say that's a grave?

I don't believe it.

Amazing!

There are two graves, one here, the other there.

You can't... Are you crazy?

Why can't you laugh in a cemetery?

Laughing isn't the problem.

You don't swing from a memorial tree.

I don't care,

but people have a death cult.

Russians picnic with their dead.

Not in trees!

Look at that one.

That's a tomb?

It's splendid!

Know him?

Steinlen? Yes.

Know who he is?

No.

A caricaturist, a poster artist.

Famous for his cats.

Think he died sitting down?

Seated!

I hate misbehaving with a boy in public.

With Benoit?

And others before him.

With him it became obsessive.

For example, he never took my hand.

If he could see you now!

Today, unlike the other day,

I almost wish I'd meet him.

He'd see for himself. I wouldn't have to explain.

It might be a long wait.

So much the better. I'm in no hurry.

It's still too early.

You said you don't love him.

But I did, once, more than I love you now.

So I need time.

He doesn't suspect?

No. He's still jealous, but far less than before,

when he had no reason to be.

You'll have to break it to him.

No.

I'm incapable of telling someone I don't love him.

You'll let him know indirectly?

That's not easy, either.

All my hints go right over his head.

Lately we've talked little... I mean about ourselves.

He studies so hard, he hardly notices me.

Yet he loves you?

In his way, yes.

I love this street.

I wonder what's behind it.

Nothing.

It's the Bateau Lavoir!

You're right!

This is the entrance, the Bateau Lavoir was behind.

The surrealists' studios.

The surrealists?

No, the cubists.

The surrealists came later.

Who told you that?

My uncle said it was the surrealists.

Maybe they met here, but not as residents.

Look: Picasso,

Modigliani, they weren't surrealists.

Max Jacob was.

No he wasn't.

He was.

He wasn't a surrealist.

BELLEVILLE PARK

I'm glad to see you.

- You found it easily? - Yes.

Lovely, huh?

Magnificent.

I have good news.

The guy in the suburbs is leaving. I get the apartment.

I have four months to wait.

Four months is nothing.

Since school began, I've hated where I am.

I'll have to defend my territory

as stubbornly as a Redskin.

Your territory?

The guy I'll share the place with has a girlfriend

who has moved in and is gradually taking over.

Suppose you took a girl, too?

-You? - No.

Two together is bad enough.

Sharing with another couple...no thanks.

Don't worry, I'm not suggesting anything for now.

But my future quarters are roomy.

I can show them to you now.

Don't get any ideas.

I've no intention of moving in with you.

If you break with Benoit?

I'll live with a girlfriend. I need time to think.

Instead of hanging around the streets,

we can go to my place for a bit.

Why not? You don't want to come ever?

Maybe once.

And we'll stay six feet apart.

It's more fun kissing on a sofa

than on a park bench, a wet one at that.

I disagree.

I said "kiss," that's all.

You don't trust me.

Yes, but I prefer benches.

Even if we freeze?

A burning kiss in icy air is delicious.

But it's not cold today.

LA VILLETTE PARK

It's prettier than I thought.

Never been here?

To Science City, and the geode, yes.

But not this side.

It's a bit dreary.

Because it's winter. Well, nearly.

The Mills

of Pantin?

Behind them is Bobigny,

where I live.

3 subway stops. Want to go?

I do not.

So those are the suburbs, and that's Paris.

I'm all turned around.

It's confusing from here.

At the edge of Paris, I'm lost.

If I ask where Paris is, people think I'm kidding.

You're surprised?

Which way from here?

This way.

Straight ahead.

Straight around a bend!

There may be a short-cut here.

No.

We go all the way around, or backtrack.

Or...

Do this.

Use your imagination, dear.

MONTSOURIS PARK

Those ducks are teals.

That's a black-necked swan.

I don't see

any mandarin ducks.

You know about birds!

Some of them.

You're literary.

So what?

So you're interested in science.

Everything interests me. That's normal.

No. Nothing interests Benoit.

Except what he needs for his work

or to shine in society.

When we go out, he always has a purpose:

go to a museum or a show,

whatever's talked about.

We never just wander around.

He has no talent for boredom.

You mean he can't bear to be bored.

No.

I like to do nothing, even to the point of boredom.

It's pleasant, even instructive.

I'd say you're never bored.

A matter of vocabulary.

I love you.

Me, too.

So leave Benoit.

Yes.

Right away.

No.

Why not?

I told you. I want it to come naturally.

For now, I've no reason to quarrel with him.

When will you have?

Someday, I hope.

Love him?

No. I used to love him.

More than I love you now,

but I don't love him any more. I'm sure of that.

I put up with him, as long as he leaves me in peace.

He's so absorbed in his work

that I don't mind living with him, sleeping beside him.

I'll say something that will shock you:

I like the situation I'm in.

Yet it's theoretically a situation I detest:

being a married woman with a lover. No, sir!

He's not quite your husband and I'm not at all your lover, alas.

Luckily!

I put up with both of you

because I do different things with each of you.

For example, he's not affectionate, he doesn't like kissing me.

In the street?

Even at home.

With you, I don't feel I'm betraying him

because we don't do the same things.

You don't do anything with him.

Doesn't mean I'll do everything with you.

For now, I just feel like strolling.

TROCADERO PARK

Let's sit on that bench.

Isn't it a bit cold out?

So where do we go?

I don't know. A café?

There's no one at my place today.

I said I'd never go there.

Not even if it's empty?

You wouldn't come because of my buddy and his chick.

It's a reason.

There are others?

First of all, you're going too fast.

I won't do any more there than here.

Better not.

So?

The place lacks poetry.

You don't know it.

You've said so.

And it's too far away. I hate the outskirts.

You want poetry? I do, too.

Let's go on a trip. Anywhere you like.

I'd like... Tahiti.

Find something closer.

- Corsica. - Too far.

How about the seaside?

Know Dieppe, F,camp, Etretat?

No.

I bet they're glum in winter.

And Benoit?

Tell him the truth, ditch him, or say you're at your parents'.

He'd phone me there.

I could let Mom in on it,

but not Dad.

Or my brother. No, that's no good.

I'd love to hug you in a secluded place.

When I have a room of my own,

you'll come?

Of course.

Living with Benoit is increasingly a drag.

Having to be with you in the street is a drag.

So come to my place when the others are out.

That's any afternoon.

It's not far: 35 or 40 minutes.

We mustn't take the poetry out of our affair.

THE AUTEUIL GREENHOUSES

Sit down.

We have to talk.

I've considered your idea

I'd like to travel with you.

To Etretat?

No, to Paris.

We're in Paris.

Not as travelers.

All we do is roam the city.

We're tourists.

Let's do it for real and go to a hotel.

A hotel? In Paris?

Yes.

Talk about poetry! A hotel room for the day?

No, for the night.

Like real travelers.

But you can't get away.

He's the one who's getting away.

For two days, to a wedding in Lyon.

We must take advantage of this.

Is this the break-up?

Yes, it's underway.

Well?

OK?

What's wrong?

You dreamed of this and now you seem lost.

This means...

you'll move in with your girlfriend.

Probably.

Can I go see you?

On rare occasions.

Don't rush things.

I'm suggesting something beyond your fondest wish,

and you're not happy!

I am.

It's wonderful.

So wonderful that...

I think of the future.

Let's stick to my proposal.

We'll see about the rest later.

Take things as they come. It'd be wonderful

to spend two whole days and nights together undisturbed.

What'll we do during the day?

What we're doing here, but with time before us.

We can even walk in the Luxembourg,

being as shameless as you like.

We'll go to the museums we don't know. Take the river boat.

Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, or Notre Dame.

I get it.

You really want to go to a hotel in Paris?

What kind of hotel?

There's one I've always wanted to go to.

When we passed it the other day in Montmartre,

I even thought

that if ever...

But of course I didn't tell you.

In Montmartre? Where? When?

In September.

The little square at the foot of the hill,

beside the Bateau Lavoir.

Yes, a pretty square...

There's a hotel?

Hidden behind the chestnut trees.

It's reasonably priced.

You inquired?

Our trip is planned, as if by a travel agency:

meet in the East Terminal at noon on Friday,

as if we'd got off a train, with luggage.

I advise you to take a huge suitcase,

you'll feel more like a tourist.

You want to play tourist,

so I bought a city map. We'll be foreign, talk other languages.

Can you speak Chinese?

No, but anyway it's Japanese.

Is Montmartre that way?

Where's the Eiffel Tower?

What's up?

Quick, come and look.

That guy...it's Benoit.

No. Looks like him, maybe...

It's him!

He had the coat and bag this morning.

So he never left!

They're going into the hotel.

Who's the girl?

I don't know who she is.

I couldn't lie to him, but he did a whole number on me!

You're sure it's him?

Or it's a hallucination!

Wait a minute.

Think of the odds.

Out of all Parisian hotels, he picks this one!

It makes sense:

he knew the place, I told him about it.

We almost went there.

It's a bit like us: we were both staying with friends.

Instead, we went to the seaside in the summer.

So that's why you wouldn't go with me?

Now you know!

I teased him about not going to that hotel.

I said I missed it.

That bothered him.

He suspected I went there with others.

I didn't at the time! I was playing a head game with him.

But he ended up stealing my idea!

He has no imagination!

We're free now.

It's great for us! You need no excuse to break it off.

Don't make me laugh! Just because...

he left me doesn't mean I'm yours!

If I'd wanted you,

I would have left him!

That's not what you said.

Don't always believe me.

Happy now? Feel like laughing?

Not really.

You think of yourself! You don't ask about my feelings!

I've been humiliated.

Instead of consoling me, you try to take advantage of me!

That's love?

I feel your pain!

I said that to reassure you.

Shut up.

You wanted to be consoled...

I don't need it. We should get going.

Wait a minute! I can't just leave you here!

Stop, or I'll never see you again!

You're the last man I want to see now.

I say that so you'll stop hoping.

It's probably over between us.

Your fate is linked to Benoit's, no matter what we do.

You helped me deal with him. But I don't need you now.

You're his mirror image. Without him, you don't exist.

How can you say that!

Where you going? His place?

My parents', until Monday.

Then where?

Maybe to my girlfriend's. There's my bus!

"A rendezvous can be a surprise,

"or it can be unwise..."”

MOTHER AND CHILD 1907

Was it hard to find?

Your directions were good.

Want a drink?

I'm not thirsty.

Not even coffee?

I had some this morning.

Sit down.

I'm OK, thanks.

I've got to finish something.

You're staying at a hotel?

No, I'm with friends.

Anita's friends?

I know Martin and...

Isabelle?

Right, Isabelle!

How's Anita?

Didn't she write you?

Yeah...

She said it was your first time in Paris.

I was here once with my parents.

Your French is great.

Thanks.

I had a French boyfriend. I spent summers with his family.

As to the Picasso Museum... it's close by.

I know.

You like Picasso?

Some works, not all.

You're studying art?

Interior design.

Same thing.

Not quite.

You paint?

Not really. I sketch a bit.

I'm the opposite. I paint but I can't draw.

Really?

I paint without drawing.

Shapes emerge from the paint.

Who are those people?

I don't know. You tell me!

A painting should tell a story, but not completely.

They're half-asleep, on their way to work.

It's a bit sad.

Think so?

That's like a concentration camp.

People waiting to be killed.

You're overdoing it!

It's not sad.

It's more like...

people returning from a picnic.

That's a crowd on the move.

So it's a bit ambiguous, a bit dark,

but the painting's not finished!

Gray and brown are depressing colors.

Life's colors!

I wouldn't hang that on my wall.

You're a decorator!

When I see art, I think of where it goes.

A woman once bought one of my paintings to go with her sofa.

I was young then, so I got angry.

Sorry! I've been mean.

You're a decorator. That's your slant.

Let's go?

Some spot you found!

You don't like it? Places like this are rare in Paris.

I'm not kidding!

It's nearby.

I know.

- Like the neighborhood? - No, it's sad.

You mean that?

I like run-down houses

better than repainted ones.

Give me that

over that, any day!

You'd like the street to be pink, or mauve, or baby blue!

Paris isn't about pastels!

In Sweden, the streets are colorful

because the buildings aren't that old.

If these places were white, they'd look cleaner.

Cleanliness is sad.

If Paris were too clean, I'd stop painting it.

I like the lack of colors here.

That gray is too blue.

It's not Paris gray.

Why not?

Can't explain!

I can't!

That way.

Over there.

I'm not going in with you.

Not today, while I'm in the middle of creating.

If I saw Picasso, it would upset me.

I need my own space, you understand?

Sure, I'll see you around.

How about tonight? You'll tell me what you saw.

One discusses art later, not while you view it.

Let's meet...

at the Coupole, in Montparnasse.

8 o'clock?

Enjoy the museum!

Thanks, see you tonight.

I was right about Picasso's power!

Not seeing it is worse!

Once we mentioned him, it was all over.

I began visualizing one of his paintings.

I have to see it to exorcise it, so I can go on painting!

Which Picasso?

It's in there.

Like it here?

A lot. Especially that one.

Horrifying!

It's fun, and so colorful!

You mean bright?

Yes, the colors are fun.

I think it's awful.

It's like a woman skinned, her guts hanging out.

Picasso had a problem:

he had to try and show all perspectives,

inside and out.

Maybe, but I like it.

Let's go on.

You like that?

Not too much. It's not my idea of Picasso.

Picasso's never Picasso! That's why he's Picasso!

I see cubism in that.

Like cubism?

I like the cut-outs.

So decorative! And a lot more!

Shall we see mine?

There it is.

Sorry.

No way! The colors are loud.

Like a pink pig! You're into it?

It grew on me. It's a strong canvas,

the most important pre-cubist work.

Picasso masters shape here.

Then, instead of following Matisse, he broke away into cubism.

The colors are full, original.

Look at the blue, the green, those two brick reds.

More like steak and ham!

You're cruel!

It's not for my wall!

Nor mine.

It's from his African period.

But it was essential in the development of his vision.

Let's go backward in time to the pink period.

You like that one?

Again, it's not my idea of Picasso.

He hadn't found his style yet.

Look...I just came to see that one canvas.

If I look at everything, my painting will be ruined.

I'm going.

Till tonight.

See you around.

I'm sorry. When I'm in one of my creative moods...

I understand.

See you.

Sorry!

Think I'm after you?

No, not at all.

Walk where you like.

You're wrong. I am following you.

And your friend?

I left her to follow you.

You shouldn't have.

Go back. Don't waste time with me.

With her! She's boring.

She's lovely.

You're as beautiful, if not more.

You're wasting your time.

In 20 minutes, my husband and I meet to travel to Geneva.

Go back!

I'm going home anyway.

Can I ask you something?

Why were you interested in "Mother and Child 1907"?

I'm not interested in it.

My husband publishes Swiss art books. I oversee the illustrations.

I came to check the color against the original.

But I like the painting.

The colors are original,

but hard to reproduce.

Especially the reds.

The book's about Picasso?

The theme's "Mother and Child".

I've never painted that!

You a painter?

I don't look it?

I thought you were!

Was it my speech in the museum?

Yes and no. You could be a teacher.

I thought you were an artist,

not a pick-up artist!

I'm disappointed.

I never thought you'd run after me.

And leave such a pretty girl!

You're not going to dump her?

What do you care?

You make a lovely couple!

You and I would make a nicer one.

Stop it!

Why doesn't a mother and child theme inspire you?

I didn't say that! I never tried it.

You have no kids?

No, and you?

Not yet.

I'm a newlywed, on my honeymoon.

You're approachable!

Of course!

I'm secure,

I'm fearless. I have my man,

so now I can freely meet people who interest me.

I hope I was interesting enough.

Hope I was too.

You live here?

No, it's my studio.

Really?

Can I see your work?

Today is...

If it's a nuisance...

No.

The place is a mess.

You won't like it.

What I think is unimportant.

Just a warning!

I'll only have wasted 10 minutes.

Want a drink?

No, thanks.

We're meeting up in a café.

All yours?

Think it's too eclectic?

Sort of.

Can I look?

Don't worry. I put on a fixative.

What's the latest work?

Everything's recent. The old stuff's on the shelves.

Studies or finished works?

I don't know.

They're more like studies.

Unless there's a buyer!

It's not commercial work.

Is it photographic?

I don't think so.

But it is!

I'm the camera. With a landscape I become...

a camera, not a photographer.

In the studio, it's not the same.

If a landscape's beautiful,

why should I change it?

So you're a hyper-realist?

That was a dead end for me. I took another route.

Now I'm looking for one.

Those landscapes don't really deliver.

They're not studies.

I paint them to be bathed in a type of light.

If nothing emerges, I don't care.

I don't follow you.

You will.

You'll understand. Come here.

You see...

I'm into space, the sky, the horizon.

I try to show the earth's curve, using only light.

Picasso's only shortcoming was with light and space.

Maybe he thought light and space only mattered...

...for photography.

That's wrong.

Photos don't make it.

I never work from a photo, I become a camera.

There's a difference.

Am I being clear?

I sort of see what you mean.

I like it that you're still searching.

You're not settled.

Anyway, I can't judge a contemporary painter.

Sorry for the trouble.

You were no trouble!

An outsider's opinion is good.

I meant your date with the blonde girl.

Don't worry! It wasn't a date.

She doesn't interest me.

Maybe I could do her portrait.

She's got an expressive side, a little Picasso face.

You're mean!

Not at all!

Picasso only liked real beauties.

She looks like Dora Maar, or Jacqueline, his last wife.

Yes.

She could take having her likeness distorted.

She looks like a painter's woman.

A muse.

Marry her.

Slow down!

Would you like to paint me?

Yes, but when I first saw you in the street,

it was not with a painter's eyes.

I bet that girl intimidates you.

Not at all! Not as much as you do!

In fact, I have problems with girls like that.

Like what?

Tourists.

I'm one.

Unfortunately!

But not really.

I'll explain.

As a student, I went out too much

with Americans, British, Scandinavians.

I met lots of them.

But it never really worked out.

I just wasn't the type of French guy they wanted.

And they didn't do anything for me either.

Now when I meet one,

I try not to take my revenge.

So I put up obstacles.

I won't waste time with a girl

who'll leave for home in a few days.

A few days isn't bad.

I've only got 2 hours!

Why did you pick her up?

I didn't!

Like I said, I'm not attracted to her.

She's pretty, but she wouldn't turn my head in the street.

She's the cousin of a Swedish woman I know.

My only Scandinavian woman friend.

That's because we were never intimate.

So she sets me up with friends, relatives.

To show them around Paris.

You dumped one to chase after a stranger!

Your friend's wrong to trust you.

Is that bad?

Yes!

What's worse, I'm to blame. How embarrassing!

No!

Yes, since you followed me!

I'd already left her in the museum when I saw you.

I followed you back.

I couldn't help bumping into her again!

I see.

What did you tell her?

I forget, I made something up about some painting.

"Mother and Child 1907"?

Right.

She believed you?

Sort of. She thought it was fishy.

Especially when I raced out

after you.

She's smarter than you think.

I said she was boring, not dumb.

She liked your work?

I don't think so.

It doesn't matter.

Good!

I didn't feel like speaking to her,

making trivial small talk.

It didn't have to be trivial!

You could've talked of art, you're eloquent.

She ate it up!

She thought I was a fool! I could see that.

I spoke just to impress you.

I noticed. It was very suspect.

But I'm curious...

She didn't seem trivial.

With a girl who's just passing through town,

even if her French is good, conversations have to be trivial!

I'm not a tour guide, or an art teacher.

I've been there before. It's over!

Even if I get lucky, the price is too high.

So who's to say that we're not being trivial?

We're not, that's obvious!

The situation's not trivial!

With her, it was totally trivial!

I've been there lots of times!

I mean, Anita's sent 4 or 5 girls my way.

She says she really builds me up.

She gets them hot to trot, that sort of nonsense.

It was funny at first.

She likes playing the matchmaker.

It was her way of avoiding me.

Her girlfriends never put out, they're just teases.

I bet Anita's in love with you.

She knows you don't love her enough.

So she teases you.

Maybe...She's far away.

Now, I just go after women I totally desire.

I made up my mind walking the Swede to the museum today.

So I left her saying I had to work...

and made a date for good form.

Good form?

I won't go.

Not after meeting you.

Once I saw you, I reasoned further.

If I ignore women who aren't interesting...

Then I have to approach those who totally fascinate me.

I said "reasoned”, but it came to me in a flash.

So I followed you.

You made a bad choice.

But the idea is good!

So you have to approach every woman you like.

They're few and far between!

Yet you found me immediately.

It was sheer luck.

A twist of fate: I find you, I lose you.

Since fate is against you, don't drop the Swede!

You may not believe me, but you're...

the only woman I've ever accosted in the street.

Ever?

Ever! Or almost.

You strike a deep chord in me.

I can't explain it.

Sorry, I thought the feeling was...mutual.

Not at all!

The man I love isn't like you. Physically, at least.

I could never go for a painter.

I love painting too much to live with someone...

trying to find himself,

who's not a genius.

A genius would be scary too!

You'll find a woman who resembles me, who loves you.

I hope so. My life would be meaningless.

Your work?

My life and work are separate, unlike Picasso.

Anyway...

Until you find her,

seduce all the blondes you can.

I'm sorry you lost her because of me.

All women want to play matchmaker for me!

I'm going.

Okay.

Goodbye.

Can I kiss you?

No.

On the cheek?

Don't be silly!

You who detest trivialities! Where would it get you?

I hate social kisses! If you really want...

to please me...

Not really.

To please yourself then...

Kiss the Swedish girl.

I have, on the cheek.

That's a start. Keep going.

And get bored

in the process?

Take her to a party.

Good luck!

You mean...

Good painting!

Hi. How's it going?

It's sweet to invite me over. But I'm painting.

And I feel like working some more.

I haven't seen Rebecca in ages!

Wait!

Can I bring someone?

Great.

Is 9 too late?

Okay.

See you then.

I really can't make it.

I know...

I'm too into my painting.

I'm really sorry about this.

The day wasn't a total loss.

"There's always lots of stories,

"Some are failures, some are glories,

"On the streets of Paris,

"You cry, then you laugh...

"Then you laugh.”

Subtitles: A. Whitelaw - W. Byron - S. O'Shea

Processed by Laser Vidéo Titres - Paris