Original subtitles

Michelle, did you fill the sweet bowl?

He expects it, you know.

He's late, mama, again.

Hmm, he is, isn't he?

Later than usual.

Maybe he's been kidnapped by a vicious band of robbers...

Or gypsies.

Or maybe he fell into the seine.

That's it.

I like that.

They're probably dragging the river for his body.

He'd sink right to the bottom, he's so full of eclairs.

How much is that eclair?

A franc, monsieur.

So much?

Yes...no.

Maybe.

Yes.

If I were you,

I'd fire him.

Ah, well, he has some odd habits.

Being late is only one of them, from what I hear.

I don't know how poor Genevieve puts up with him.

What a husband he must be.

But he is a brilliant musician...

And teacher.

Otherwise, I'd switch you to someone more...

...normal?

There he is now.

Well, go and answer the door, like a good girl.

Do you have to come down the stairs

like an elephant -- my China is rattling on their shelves.

One day, all my demitasses

will smash to the floor in pieces.

Spain!

Your papa is still

in Spain.

When is he coming back?

I don't know.

Spain.

It's no place for a man on his own.

Especially a soldier.

My husband was a soldier.

Was he ever in Spain?

Yes.

And he never came back.

He died?

Death would have been too good for him!

Tell your mother it's

the second Friday of the month -- the rent's due,

husband or no husband.

"This tour of duty"

"feels like it will never end,"

"but the Spanish countryside is beautiful."

"Seville is astounding."

"I shouldn't be telling you this,"

"but I have to fight the women off."

"You know how they feel about a man in uniform."

Mother!

He's only teasing.

"I miss you both."

"All my love..."

He didn't say when he would be coming home.

I expect that's because he doesn't know yet.

Mme. Gagnon said that Spain was no place for a man.

Her husband never came back.

Do you blame him? Mother!

Mme. Gagnon... Just likes to talk.

Don't take her too seriously.

Maybe you should practise your scales

before your teacher arrives.

If he arrives.

Very nice.

Do you know how long I've been standing here?

Do you think I have all the time in the world to waste?

[♪♪♪]

Wrong!

Finger 1, 2, 3, 4, then 1 under.

[♪♪♪]

[HEARING THE MARCH OF THE TORREADORS]

It's 2:32.

That is your lesson.

Good day.

M. Bizet, your hat.

Oh, many thanks.

Monsieur!

You've forgotten your money again!

Take this, please.

We will see you next week?

I haven't go time to come here.

You'll come to my house.

Are you sure this is it?

This is it.

I don't feel well. Maybe I should skip my lesson today.

It will be all right.

I quite like the neighbourhood.

It's so lively...

Colourful.

I can see why Genevieve moved here.

She always did like the bohemian life.

Oh, come in, come in.

Welcome.

He can smile.

Uh, make yourself comfortable.

Would you like some wine, coffee?

Oh, a sweet, perhaps?

This is my son, Jacques.

Jacques, say hello to madame, huh?

Oh, and this is Marie and her little boy, Luc.

Glad to meet you, madame. See this?

It's beautiful.

Mama got it for me in the park.

Genevieve, how good to see you!

Suzanne,

it's been a long time.

And look at this child.

Why don't we go for coffee

and catch up on our news while Michelle has her lesson?

Oh, if only I'd known you were coming.

I have an appointment.

I can't break it.

I'm so sorry.

Don't worry.

We'll do it another time.

I'm so sorry to run.

Mom.

Bye.

Mama, I want to go with you.

You can help me in the kitchen.

I'll be going too.

Have a good lesson.

I'll see myself out.

Why aren't you practising your scales?

I'm sorry.

You didn't ask me to.

I most certainly did. At least twice!

Begin.

A-minor, contrary motion... Uh, two octaves.

[PLAYING SCALES]

Wrong.

Begin again.

[♪♪♪]

Chromatic scale, beginning on G.

[SECOND PIANO PLAYING]

[♪♪♪]

What are you playing?

It's...

It's music... From a new opera.

You're writing an opera?

Yes.

I went to the opera once.

I fell asleep.

Is that so?

Let's hope it wasn't one of mine.

My father says that operas are silly,

and the stories never happen in real life.

Oh, does he, now?

What's this one about?

This ne...

Is about a soldier who's stationed in--

my father's a soldier.

In Spain.

My father's there. He's in the French foreign legion.

At any rate--

does he die? Everyone dies in operas.

No, he doesn't die. Will you let me finish?

He falls in love with a beautiful woman.

So did my father!

My mother's beautiful, don't you think?

This woman is not his wife!

Not his wife?

No.

She's a gypsy who casts a spell on every man.

[♪♪♪]

What does she look like?

She's beautiful.

Dark hair.

Flashing black eyes.

Like Genevieve.

Yes.

That's a pretty good story.

I probably wouldn't fall asleep.

But it still couldn't happen in real life.

Music is real life.

Finish your scales.

Hold my hand.

Do you think that's his wife?

Michelle!

Do you ever miss seeing father?

Of course, dear.

Do you still love each other?

Yes, of course.

How do you know? You haven't seen each other for so long.

We just know.

What would you do if he fell in love with someone?

He won't.

But what if he did?

If he did, I'd push him right off that bridge!

Mother!

[LAUGHING]

It could happen.

Delaborde is painting some

exceptionally beautiful models these days.

Oh!

Jacques, no -- how can your father

work with all this noise?

Oh, don't worry, Marie.

My father taught singing for a living.

To terrible singers.

In fact, the worst in the world.

I can work through anything.

Well, I'll take one of them out of your hair anyway.

I'll put my baby to bed.

[BALLOON POPPING]

[CRYING]

Oh, there, there, there.

It's nothing to cry about.

Where's mama?

I want mama.

What happened?

Oh, poor etit.

We'll get you a new one.

Maybe we could go out for a walk, just the three of us.

We could've earlier, had you been here.

I have my opera to work on.

[♪♪♪]

Ah, M. Bizet is not at home.

He's next door at the painter, Delaborde's.

He said you should go there.

Doesn't he remember I have a lesson?

I don't know, dear. That's all he said.

[CHILD CRYING]

Oh, mon dieu -- next door, right

at the top of the stairs.

Thank you.

En garde!

[SHOUTING]

[SHOUTING]

En garde!

Don't be afraid of my friend delaborde.

Mlle. Michelle Marin.

Elie

Miriam delaborde.

Painter extraordinaire.

How very good to meet you, monsieur.

How very good to meet you, mademoiselle.

Come in, come in.

Oop, oop, oop.

Look around.

Feast your eyes.

Aagh!

Hmm?

Hmm?

Ah, this...

Is my, uh, cousin.

[BIRD SQUAWKING]

Sorry.

And she's really very intelligent

for someone of her particular...

Particular height.

And this large work, my friend Bizet

insists on seeing as Seville.

But it is, in fact,

my favourite place in all of France:

The beautiful town of Arles.

You like my pets?

She's my favourite.

Here, stand up on that.

And being my favourite, someday she will undoubtedly...

Leave me.

Oh!

He made the appointment with me, Nana.

You're crazy -- he arranged this

sitting with me weeks ago.

Well, we'll soon see, won't we?

These stairs are gonna kill me one of these days.

It's all those chocolates, cherie.

A minute on the lips,

a lifetime on the hips.

At least I have hips.

You seem to enjoy painting

the ladies these days, delaborde.

It's hard to tell this is a lady.

Quite right.

In fact, that is no lady.

That is...

A second cousin.

I've entered a new phase.

My heart has been broken too many times for one life.

I refuse to have anything to do with women

any more.

Ah, Nicole!

Nana.

My favourite models in all of Paris.

How wonderful you both look.

How delightful to see you, but you'll have to leave.

I beg your pardon?

I had an appointment.

No, I had the appointment.

I'm so very sorry, but I'm busy.

Oh, well, I'm not going anywhere

until I catch my breath.

Me neither.

I have guests, as you can see.

Oh!

Oh!

Oh, Nana, look.

The face of a pious angel.

Such skin.

You really should do a portrait

of the child, delaborde.

Mmm.

Alabaster.

Just like mine was as a girl.

What a long memory you have, Nicole.

Would you like to have your palm read?

No, thank you.

She's really very good.

An expert on the great beyond.

I can communicate with anyone, any time, anywhere...

With my mind. What's left of it.

Ahh...ahhh....oh, pft!

[LAUGHING]

Ah, I see.

What? What do you see?

Something from far away.

What?

A letter.

Ahem, ahem.

That's a safe bet.

Everybody gets letters.

That's just like my father's uniform.

That could be Carmen.

What happens in your story -- to the soldier and the gypsy?

You really want to know?

Opera's so boring.

Never true to life. Isn't that right?

It just sounded interesting, that's all...

For a silly opera story.

Well, if you want to hear the story,

I'll begin at the beginning.

This time...No interruptions.

Not long ago, in Spain,

in a town called Seville,

there lived a gypsy woman named Carmen.

Now, Carmen was as feisty as she was beautiful.

And whatever Carmen wanted, she usually got.

A handsome soldier, Don Jose,

is captivated

with her exotic beauty.

[PLAYING CARMEN]

All the people he cherished from his past are forgotten,

even his village sweetheart, Micaela.

Micaela begs him to come home,

but he refuses.

Soldiers are honorable.

How could Don Jose do anything so mean, so horrible?

Why would you write a story

about such dreadful people -- they're evil.

Ah, but what good story

doesn't have a little bit of evil in it?

Besides, evil serves a great purpose.

Allow me to continue?

If there was no evil in the world,

there would also be no art... Or music...

Because people need the solace

that art and music bring to their lives.

[LAUGHING]

Delaborde the great philosopher.

Love strikes people blind.

When they fall under its spell, they're lost to you.

Shouldn't I have my lesson?

I think you just had one.

[♪♪♪]

More afe au lait, madame?

Oh, yes, please, delicious.

Michelle?

What's going on here?

In future, I'd appreciate

knowing where my daughter is.

Madame, I'm charmed.

I'm sorry for any inconvenience.

Until next time. Good day, monsieur.

You were at that painter's, with those women?

I don't think you'll have any more lessons with M. Bizet.

No,

I have to find out what happens.

Happens? Happens to what?

Nothing.

I just don't want to stop piano, that's all.

So how was your lesson?

He forgot to give me one.

[♪♪♪]

What we need is a night on the town.

Go out to the cafes, yes!

Have a good meal, have some good wine.

Like the old days.

Not tonight.

I have a headache.

What I need is some chocolate.

Don't, don't!

You're taking yourself too seriously.

"My new opera, my marriage, my life."

Life's to be lived. Stop brooding.

I'm not brooding.

I'm looking for something to eat.

You're miserable.

I'm not miserable.

You are miserable.

All right, I'm miserable!

Does that make you happy?

[LAUGHING]

Genevieve?

I know I'm a terrible husband.

The worst.

Now I think Genevieve is seeing someone else.

Of course she is.

She is?

You have another love too.

I don't! You do: Your music.

And you make yourself so miserable.

And so you should.

How could you write such a miserable opera

if you weren't so miserable yourself?

But it'll work out -- think how famous you'll become,

and all because you're so miserable.

"My new opera, my marriage, my life."

Don't, don't make fun of me.

Face it, my friend.

It's my experience that a woman...

Can never be content,

married to an artist.

She's forced to share too much.

So...

All you can do about that is to Bury

yourself in your art even deeper...Or go to the cafes.

That, by the way, is Genevieve.

No, no, no relax, my friend.

I painted her from memory.

Ah.

[LAUGHING]

Mmm.

[PLAYING CHANSON DU TOREADOR]

That was pretty...

What you were playing.

It's from

M. Bizet's new opera.

It's lovely.

I apologize for being upset this afternoon,

but I really have to know where you are.

I understand.

When is father coming home?

We'll talk about it in the morning.

It's late, and we should both be in bed.

He will come home soon, won't he?

He's not coming home, is he?

Of course he is.

Just not as soon as we had expected.

He has to stay in Seville a little longer.

I received another letter.

A letter?

Nicole said...

Who's Nicole?

No one.

Michelle...

Your father's been in the army ever since we were married.

We're both used to it.

I'm not.

We'll be fine.

[PLAYING PIANO]

No, no, no! The fingering's wrong, the notes are wrong,

there's no expression.

Why didn't you practise this at home?

You gave me the other polonaise

to practise, not this one.

Nonsense. I remember it clearly. It was the polonaise in a minor.

Then why did you write this

in my notebook?

Well...

Perhaps you're right.

Well, in that case, it wasn't bad for sight reading,

not bad at all.

I'm sorry, my mind is on other things.

So is mine.

It's my opera.

I can't get the ending of it right.

Can we go

to the river, please, papa? I want to see if my boat floats.

I'm in a lesson. I don't have time for oating floats.

Floating boats. That's what I said.

Jacques, you're right.

Let's go for a walk.

Maybe floating boats will clear our heads, hmm?

Here, your turn.

No, I couldn't.

Why not?

I don't know how.

Oh, well, then it's time you learned.

[LAUGHING]

Stop it, stop laughing at me.

Oh, no, we're not laughing at you.

We're laughing with you.

Life is to be lived.

Papa, I'm hot!

Well, I can take care of that.

No!

Hey!

Go on!

Can't catch me!

Yes, I can.

Papa, look what I found.

You're my little Pearl Fisher, hmm?

Sometimes I wish I had a brother or a sister.

It gets lonely being the only one.

Well, you better talk

to your parents about that.

I don't see them together enough to talk to them.

Jacques is lucky to have both his parents with him.

So...

You're the great expert on opera?

I need some advice.

I have a problem.

My opera ends in tragedy.

They all do.

At least the one I saw did.

Well, not every story has a happy ending,

but you can't send the audience home in tears.

The music has to lift them above the story.

What is the story?

How does it end?

Sure I won't bore you?

Don Jose eventually gives up everything that ever meant

anything to him in order to secure the love of Carmen.

But in the end, she rejects him in disgust

and turns her attentions towards the handsome toreador Escamillo.

[PLAYING CHANSON DU TOREADOR]

Don Jose is devastated when he realizes

Carmen is with another man.

She cared nothing for him.

His blood boils.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.

I'm not upset.

Oh, yes, you are.

No, I'm not.

You are!

All right, I am.

You know, Michelle, you and I are very much alike.

We both keep things bottled up inside.

You know, sometimes when I write music...

I find feelings inside that I never knew I had.

Emotions that hurt, tear me apart.

Music helps me sort them out.

Especially when I don't have anyone else to confide in.

I haven't anyone to confide in either.

What about your mother?

Especially not my mother...

Because the truth would hurt her.

M. Bizet, my father is in Spain,

and he's not coming home when he said he would.

I'm sure something's happened.

Oh, no, what could happen?

I think he's forgotten all about us.

I think he's fallen in love with someone else,

someone like Carmen.

Ah, Michelle, Carmen is just a story.

It's...it's fiction.

You yourself said these things only happen in opera.

I don't think so any more.

It could happen in real life.

Monsieur, it does.

It's happening to me.

I'm losing my father.

No...I don't think you are, Michelle.

[SIGHING]

But I know what you're going through.

I'm afraid of losing someone myself.

There is nothing I wouldn't give to be on one of those boats.

My wife and I used to go out there quite often, you know...

When we first met.

That was a long time ago.

I can't seem to take care of her any more...And my music.

At least not at the same time.

One of them always suffers.

But you can do something about that.

You're a grown-up.

You can change things -- at least you

and your wife live in the same house.

My father is miles away.

Even when people live closely together, they can be distant.

But at least you and your wife

can talk to each other, face to face.

Oh, monsieur, I wish I could talk to my father.

I know I could change things.

People like you and I have got to learn

that we can't just stand back and let things happen to us.

It's, uh, getting late.

Jacques!

His money.

Hello, Marie, is Michelle back yet?

She was waiting for you.

I thought you'd already come for her.

Where is she?

I want to see m. Bizet.

M. Bizet and his wife had a very large upset.

And he won't be disturbed.

Maybe Michelle's next door. Excuse me.

[KNOCKING]

My dear lady.

I thought Michelle might be here,

but I see--

madame, Marie just told me.

We'll look for Michelle together.

Michelle is missing?

Madame, I'm at your service.

Delaborde, you stay here.

I think I know where Michelle may be.

We'll get a carriage.

A ticket to Seville,

please.

Let me see.

Gate 15 at 9:00.

Ah, here it is.

It's just left.

Why would Michelle be here?

Oh, because she wants to go to Seville

to bring her father back home.

What?

Why would she do that?

Because she's afraid he'll fall in love with Carmen.

Who's Carmen?

There was a little girl here.

Did you see where she went?

I have a job to do, madame.

I can't be watching everything.

Thank you for your help.

I'll go home.

I'm sure Michelle will be there.

You mean she isn't here either?

You haven't seen her? I was so sure she'd come home.

The city streets are no place for a child at night.

Oh, madame, this came for you,

from Spain.

You have to help me -- you said you could talk

to anyone, any time, anywhere.

That's what you said all right.

You predicted I'd get a letter, and I did.

My dear, a letter is one thing, but--

losing our nerve, are we, Nicole?

Ahem.

So, you want to talk to your father, do you?

Yes, it's very important.

Well...we shall see what we can do.

Ah!

Ahem, the circle must not be broken.

We wish to communicate with monsieur...

Richard Marin.

Ahem.

Is anybody there?

Quiet.

We wish to communicate

with m. Marin.

Is anybody there?

[HICCUPING]

Ah, m. Marin,

are you there?

[HICCUPING]

Your daughter wishes to speak to you.

Go ahead.

Papa...

Go on, tell him.

Papa, please come home.

Oh, thank god you're safe.

Where have you been?

Your mother and I have been frantic, absolutely frantic.

Oh, you have taken years off my life.

Is mother upstairs?

No, she's out combing the streets for you.

Michelle!

Oh!

How could you?

Why would you run away?

I wasn't running away.

I was going to get to father.

It's all going to be fine though.

He's coming home!

[PLAYING THE BOHEMIAN DANCE]

Captions performed by the national captioning center