Original subtitles

Sometimes, it's a matter of curiosity--

not love, and love is grand.

Not lust, and I've nothingagainst lust, believe me.

It's curiosity.

A woman see's a man, talksto him, looks at him,

takes him home.

What is this lady saying?

What is she thinking?

I'll tell you.

She's thinking, I must find outwho he is, even if it kills me.

[sirens]

[footsteps]

[barking]

[squealing metal]

[animal chatters]

CLAIRE: Taxi!

Take me to the airport.

CLAIRE [VOICEOVER]: I'd made it-- this time.

But they were getting closer,as I knew they always would.

CLAIRE: Chourico.

Hm?

Chourico.

Portuguese sausage.

I can smell it from over here.

Oh, sorry, lady.

Yeah, my brother-in-law makes them.

They taste great, but they smell up the house.

I'll put it away.

Don't.

I like the aroma. - You Portuguese?

No.

So where you flying to, youknow, without any luggage?

Paris.

If you foods, that's the place, huh?

I hope so.

Hey, say, you're not one of those people that

go into these fancy restaurants and write

for those big magazines?

A food critic?

Yeah, yeah!

That's it.

No.

I just like to eat out a lot.

CLAIRE [VOICEOVER]: Finally, I was in Paris.

In Berlin, the meals had been too starchy.

Really? Not one--

CLAIRE [VOICEOVER]: In Bucharest,

the blood had run too thin.

In Stockholm, the dining was too bland.

In London, too stringy.

In Zurich, too rich.

But here, the insightful concierge knew all this.

He understood my tastes.

He knew about life, that lifeis hard, and food is soft.

[humming]

Thank you very much.

[crash]

CLAIRE: You've got to be morecareful around those older

women.

They have very sharp elbows.

I swear, they sharpen them atnight like weapons against men.

Nice pictures.

Thank you.

You are American? - Yes.

From Los Angeles.

Have you been there?

Certainly.

I go many times for my business.

May I join you?

Of course.

My apologies.

I'm Claire.

Luc.

A drink?

I'll be offer.

No, I'm fine.

Thank you.

But maybe you wantsomething stronger perhaps?

Although I am getting a little hungry.

You know, it took them ten minutes

before they finallyrealized that all I wanted

was a simple washcloth.

CLAIRE [VOICEOVER]: I'davoided snacking all day.

No touring.

No pate.

Nothing to take the urge off the hunger.

You have to save yourself.

Prepare to savor every morsel.

I have so much to learn--

CLAIRE [VOICEOVER]: Not like my companion.

Will you teach me?

CLAIRE [VOICEOVER]: Onelook and you could tell--

this was a man who liked to indulge,

a man who traveled in long automobiles,

a man who appreciated soft cushions,

a man who did not know howto push back a dessert tray.

You know, I really had myheart set on French cuisine.

I mean, that's the whole reason why I came here.

The difference is in the blend of flavors.

Italian, loud, loud, loud.

They throw their arms when they talk.

Each flavor stands on it's own-- strong.

But French cuisine, all mellow.

The herbs blend one into the other.

It is a calming ocean, not a crescendo.

Adagio.

Quiet.

Succulent.

Exactly.

If you will excuse me, I have to make a call.

After we all, but it won't be long.

A business matter.

No thank you.

I'm saving myself for the main course.

[french speech].

Japanese businessman.

[french speech]

CLAIRE [VOICEOVER]: Just as I thought--

you have a wife and child waiting

at home, ready to start dinner.

I hope they aren't keeping it hot for you.

Oh, Luc.

You delicious,middle-aged dirty old man.

Oui!

[growling]

[screaming]

CLAIRE [VOICEOVER]: My first meal in Paris.

Everything Luc said was true.

The perfect melange of flavors.

Parisian food at its best.

Nothing compares.

[footsteps]

A lonely woman standing by herself.

The days go.

She waits for her bus.

Where does she want to go?

Her home?

Her lover?

No where?

How did you know I spoke English.

Your look.

The special way you carry yourself.

The Facebook sticking out of your pocket.

I come here everyday.

The existential lonelinessof the lady in this painting,

it speaks to me.

She isn't lonely.

She's just alone.

There's a major difference.

And you?

You're never lonely?

No.

Although I do know what it's like to be alone.

Mademoiselle--

Claire.

Claire.

The day is grey.

Children are born.

People die.

Condoms continue to flow in the Seine,

and two people find each other in the confusion

that is our forbidden universe.

May I buy you a drink?

No.

Although I am getting sort of hungry.

What a thought.

There's a bistro nearby.

CLAIRE: Maybe we could eatsomething at your home?

I have red wine, cheese, poet's fare.

CLAIRE [VOICEOVER]: Poet's Fare.

A strong, simple taste,like cleansing the palate.

[growling]

My first week in Paris had been a success.

I could get used to this, I thought--

all those differentregions, different tastes,

all perfectly prepared and wonderfully fresh.

All I worried about was whether or not

my figure was going to hell.

[footsteps]

And then I started to hear them, as I

had in Los Angeles, in New York, in Montreal,

pounding, relentless.

The footsteps, coming closer and closer.

Coming for me.

Oh, rude, but necessary sometimes.

You must be careful.

Murders in the capital.

Thank you.

There's mutilations.

Merci.

Anyway, I'm sure thepolice will find the beast.

American?

Yes.

And you come to Paris for the shopping, I see.

For the shopping, and for the cuisine,

although I've been gaining a few pounds.

Food's so good.

Nonsense.

You are very slim, and young and beautiful.

There is more to Paris than food, you know?

You like the clubs?

Night clubs?

Yes, I can introduce you to the best.

It's always better to have a companion, no?

Yes, it is.

So much dirt in the world.

Tonight, we forget.

Then we eat, and then we enjoy each other, yes?

It sounds marvelous.

[dance music]

It's magnificent.

All these plants.

Please, sit.

Voila.

You're displeased.

Are you a vegetarian?

When you kill an animal, the animal

cries out to the heavens.

But when you destroy a plant,the plant says, eat, eat.

It gives me pleasure to serve you.

Listen.

Why are you crying?

Because you're differentfrom all the others,

because of what I am,because of what I have to do.

I know what you are.

Tonight will be different.

No.

No, it will be the same,just like every other night.

It has to be.

Shh.

I will be quick, I promise.

It's a very large world, Claire.

But there are only a few of us.

That's why I must end who you are.

Who are you?

Alone.

Find the alone.

There is no one else.

No one else.

[footsteps]

I hear footsteps.

They'll pass.

What's wrong?

Romanian eggplant.

When cooked a certain way, ithas the same texture as meat.

Hm?

[meow]

Would you excuse me for a moment?

I'll be right back.

CLAIRE [VOICEOVER]: Finally, I had

learned to love and not devour.

But I still had a craving.

[meow]

After 20 varieties ofvegetables, I was still hungry.

A steady diet of meat, and now she

is forced to eat her vegetable.

I hope it doesn't disrupther digestive system.

You know what they sayabout artists, don't you?

It's not what you eat.

It's what's eating you.

[music playing]