Original subtitles

HUSBANDS, WIVES, LOVERS 1989

A PASCAL THOMAS FILM

HUSBANDS, WIVES, LOVERS

Train 4040 to Bordeaux and La Rochelle

will depart at 12:00 p.m.

Stops include Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, Châtellerault,

Angoulême, Coutras, Libourne, Bordeaux...

Your father isn't here yet.

If he misses the train, he can come by himself.

Don't talk that way about your uncle.

Be quiet. You can come with us

-but keep your comments to yourself. -We'll wait for him here.

Where is he?

-Is he coming? -Yes.

We don't want to miss the train. Let's get on.

I'm anxious about you leaving. Now you know why.

Odette, Martin can be absent-minded.

Yes, but what if he doesn't come?

OK, Mom, don't start that again.

Just because Dad left you

doesn't mean every man in the family is going

to take off with their mistress.

Martin doesn't have to do anything since Dora lets him do what he wants.

If you were stricter, he'd be here.

If you kept quiet, it would be even better.

And now for the tears. We're going on vacation without her,

and she's ruining it for us with her whining.

That's clever!

We didn't ask you.

I want to stay here. I'm not going on vacation with them.

Clément, Dora...

Ah, Dad. The girls have already made their mother cry.

My sweet sister-in-law, what's wrong?

Are you feeling emotional?

I'll mind these monsters as if I were their father.

Martin...

They can do whatever they want.

Odette...

There you go! How delightful.

She could have said goodbye.

Come on, let's go.

As graceful as ever, I see.

-Always. -How promising!

-Are you OK? -Where have you been?

I was at a hotel trying to work. How did it go?

-She's in the car. -What's up?

-They're obnoxious. -Really?

Only with her.

-Are you sure? -Yes.

Because you stuck me with the martyred mother's girls for a month.

Well, I have to go.

Say, isn't Clément a little sulky?

Yeah, he does that. He'll get over it.

And Olga didn't come?

If you were here, you'd know they're not together anymore.

So that's why.

So, this is it.

-You can't see it. -What?

He's my son. This is it, his first heartbreak.

Funny how mothers always miss

what's really happening. Luckily, I saw it right away.

-I'll fix him up. -He's fine.

You need to focus on work. The producers are...

They're liars. No, wait, excuse me.

OK, I didn't do much for three weeks,

but as soon as I'm on the island, I'm on it.

-You're scaring me. -Scaring you?

When you're serious, you seem like someone else.

Should I be letting you go like this?

I think you'd rather come with us.

Not at all.

Hello. Your daughter's here.

What are you doing here?

-Hi, Mom. -Hi, Odette.

If you only knew. Guillaume wanted me to sign a loyalty contract.

-A what? -A commitment contract.

For how long?

From the date of signature until death.

Curious. What's with all the garbage bags?

It's my things. All my things. I left him.

What do I do with them?

You store tons of stuff. They won't bother you.

Why did he want a contract?

He said it was essential.

That's crazy. You didn't do it, did you?

No. He loved me so much, it was unbearable.

That's a good reason.

-Well, are you coming, Odette? -I don't like elevators.

At first, when he brought me my breakfast, I was moved.

But I realized that I was moved by the breakfast, not by him.

-Odette doesn't look good. -No.

She made quite a scene at the station.

Come on.

Five break-ups in a few months, my little girl, that's a lot.

Think about changing your process.

I'd love advice, but parents are

only good for cold remedies.

-Quite a lot of stairs. -Take the elevator.

I don't like elevators.

Leave me, please. I've got work to do.

Me too. Fifteen people are waiting for me at casting.

Dora, can I wait for you here?

I have nothing to do.

Make yourself useful. Help us clean up.

I don't like touching other people's glasses.

The little case?

The case? Where's the case?

We forgot the case?

-The case? Which case? -Our little case!

With our things, our dresses,

-our bathing suits, our hats. -Chantal, I don't believe this.

-Pull the alarm. -Yeah.

It's got to be here somewhere.

Here, Clément. What's that under your feet?

It's not that one. That's not ours.

-Is this yours? -No.

-Is this yours, miss? -No, sir.

You have to beware of unaccompanied luggage.

You call the police, and they blow them up.

Let's just open it and see what's inside.

It could be a trap.

Let's not descend into paranoia. It's always the same.

We ask people to be vigilant,

and the public authorities show the utmost negligence.

-Put it somewhere else. -Oh, no, Brigitte.

It wouldn't do any good anyway.

Powerful explosives are now being manufactured

as thick as cardboard.

Let's throw the bag out the window.

The bag will explode.

The train will derail, and more people will die.

And when the train derails?

What? That's not going to happen.

Have you seen that?

My Dad saw it happen. 2,000 people died.

Stop talking nonsense.

2,000 deaths are a lot.

In India, perhaps.

-What's your name? -Éléonore.

Excuse me. Have you seen my bag?

-Yes, yes. -It's right here.

-Here's your bag. -Be careful with that.

BICYCLES AND MOPEDS PEDESTRIANS

Construction of the bridge is progressing.

People can sit around for a long time,

but once they start, they go at lightning speed.

I don't agree.

-Jacques, is that you? -Yes.

The triumph of technology over the elements impresses me.

Personally, I always loved the island's charm.

It must have been too fragile.

Kids, make the most of it. This is your last vacation on the Ile de Ré.

The massacre has already begun.

We're picking the bones of a beautiful France.

Your wife's coming to pick us up?

Jacqueline is always very punctual.

I saw your lady at your friend Bruno's house.

-She knew I was coming. -Bruno tried to kill himself.

-Huh? -Did he miss?

-What? -Did he miss?

Of course.

-He's always been clumsy. -His wife left him.

-Manuela? -Manuela?

Of course. Who else?

Mind you, I was expecting that.

She was very cheerful when she was in the cab,

always very cheerful,

but it wasn't a married type of happy.

She was hot.

This isn't appropriate.

No one from here took her. Someone came from Paris.

Do we know him?

-He's a building inspector. -What's that?

It's a job. He's a guy who visits buildings.

He's paid by locksmiths.

He scares the hell out of people, and they install armored doors.

So, he's a home wrecker?

A plunderer.

It wasn't much of an attempt. He used an electric razor.

Electric razor?

-He left a note. -Show me.

Let me see.

"I'm killing myself. If I die, tell Mrs. Jolivard

-"the Citroën will be here Tuesday." -It wasn't a real suicide.

Bruno, you know my taste for meaningful anecdotes?

-Do you also know James Joyce? -No.

It doesn't matter. He wrote Ulysses.

James Joyce never rebelled against anything.

Never depressed, he was detached, accepting of everything.

For him, the falling of a bomb was like that of a leaf.

-And did his wife leave him? -I don't think so.

Then he has nothing to say.

What would you say if Jacqueline took off?

Huh?

-That's different. -You're not in love?

That word's not in our vocabulary.

You sound like everyone else.

Clément, come on.

You can't understand our relationship.

We're not part of society. We observe it.

Yeah.

Steph, Élodie... What's with the long faces?

-What's wrong? -We have our reasons.

I forced them to come.

They don't want to swim, so let's jump in!

We're like little cats being put in a bag and drowned.

This is how we're treated.

They write books about people like you. You have a criminal mind.

Come on, Élodie.

This is shaping up nicely.

-It hasn't changed. -It never will.

Martin is too lazy to do any work.

-Hey, the luggage! -Oh, yeah.

If this is how it starts, that's a bad sign.

I can't take it. I'm going to have a breakdown.

No, Steph, not a nervous breakdown.

-Well, OK. -Thanks, Steph.

-Martin! -What?

Which room?

The same as last year, by the stairs.

Yeah!

It's my son's first heartbreak.

You sure you're not exaggerating?

I'm the only one who noticed.

He's there. He's not saying anything.

The mask.

Remember yours? Does it last long?

Oh, my... When I was his age, I never experienced it.

That started after the wedding.

Speaking of, how's it going with your wife?

She's remarrying.

She's not coming this summer?

-She's on her honeymoon. -Great!

We'll be alone with the kids.

No. I got a girl to look after them.

A student. She's charming.

-Is that her? Not bad. -Yes.

-Hello. -Hello.

My name is Martin. Physique of a basketball player...

But this is great for Clément.

I was thinking it would be great for me.

You're not lonely.

Poor thing, you have two children.

See you in a bit. You know something?

-You're too shy. -That's true.

It started when she went through her jazz period.

When you go upstairs, remember to take your shoes off.

I commit suicide, and you're thinking about the floor?

Why wouldn't I? You missed after all.

If you want to tell me what Manuela did, take them off.

-I'll get your room ready. -I don't like jazz.

When I got the garage in Antony, she would go there on her scooter.

She would fall in love

with musicians, a trombonist, a saxophonist.

She never told me the names.

She would say "the trombone", "the sax", "the trumpet".

I couldn't be jealous.

"The sax", "the trombone", "the trumpet", "the orchestra".

The orchestra? She's a nymphomaniac.

If she'd calmed down, we could have talked about it.

Perhaps she had an intense need to be loved

by several men at once.

-Hello, Dora. Barbie! -Yes?

There you are.

-Hi. -Hello.

Hello, Dora.

Hello, Claire. Hi, Kiki.

Something good must have happened,

or I wouldn't be in such a good mood.

I'm happy to be alive.

-Don't look. -What do you mean?

I felt the same as you this morning.

-Really? -Yes,

when Charles and the girls left.

I heard their footsteps in the elevator,

and finally, the apartment fell silent.

-Did yours leave too? -Martin and Clément did.

Well, look no further. That's the source.

For a month, they'll be good, really good.

And so will we.

-Where are they again? -Ile de Ré, as usual.

-And your daughters? -In Hossegor, as usual.

They'll be happy there.

For ten years, I had to wait for the tide to bury

the children's sandcastle...

We had to build it and then wait for the tide to destroy it.

Now it's their father's turn.

I think they're just half measures.

We should do with children what we do with grandmothers.

Drive off together and leave them at a service station.

-How horrible. -Only you could say that.

-We can't anyway. There are laws. -You don't know what you want.

I'm just saying. But be careful.

It's the imperfectly egotistical who hurt others the most.

Remember that.

I don't have children, and I don't want them.

I've had a husband. I don't know why I left him.

Maybe I didn't want to hurt him.

-What are we having? -The ham.

-Hey, I need the bachelor pad keys. -You have them.

I was with Guy yesterday, and then I gave them to you.

Ah. Yes, you're right, I have them.

OK, bye.

Don't forget to bring them back. I'll need them.

Why do we say "bachelor pad" when we're girls?

Because we bring boys.

In English, we say bachelor's apartment.

-You think that makes it classier? -No.

-How are you? -We're good.

Why's that?

COLOMBINE TOCANIER PUBLISHING

COLOMBINE PUBLISHING

-Oh, the letter from the Japanese. -I'll get it.

-What happened? -It's psychosomatic.

It's the cervical vertebrae.

Some mind you have. A neck brace...

-It's Tocanier. -What do you mean?

When we got married, you said he'd make me happy.

-Did I say that? -Yes, you did. Are you surprised?

It's just want you say, but I still mean it.

You should have told me the opposite.

It would have saved me from everything I discovered.

Marie-Françoise, don't start that again.

-Now, I'm sure. -It can't be.

-Why not? -Impossible, not Tocanier.

If you think I don't see what he's doing with her...

That idiot, he's so out of his depth...

I mean, do you realize that

she's already showing.

Hello, Dora, Odette. Nice of you to drop by.

How's Martin?

Good. He left for the Ile de Ré this morning.

-Hello, Odette. Good morning, Odette. -Good morning.

Oh, have you seen poor Marie-Françoise?

Darling, you must be hot in that neck brace.

It's terrible.

I'm off to the Ile de Ré in a few days.

Would you take this suitcase with you? The girls forgot it.

I don't even know if I'm really going.

You always say your secretary could run the publishing house.

Yes. She's a remarkable girl, but your condition worries me.

No, don't change your habits.

For 28 years, you've left the same day, on the same train.

Keep it up. Go.

You know I have work to do. I'm not going

to be sitting in a cold house.

Fine. Whatever you say, baby.

-But the submissions... -They can do it without you.

You won't miss out on the next Goncourt manuscript.

Oh, but I don't want that.

Business is very good.

Don't get upset, my little rabbit.

Tocanier, you know I hate pet names,

so keep them for the ones who like them.

-Mr. Tocanier, telephone for you. -Ah.

Excuse me, it's Japan.

Did you see that?

-What? -But... She's right at home.

Unbelievable. If she thinks I'm just going to let her,

that I'm going to give up my house, my husband, everything?

Because these girls want it all.

Well, vacation has officially begun.

Come on, come on, come on.

Why did I agree to come here with you?

Bye, then.

Bruno, Bruno, you have to.

When you fall off a horse, you get back on.

When your woman leaves, you find another. Come on.

What the hell am I doing here?

I want to cultivate my grief alone.

Well, go ahead.

Bruno.

Bruno, next time...

Hi, Jacques. Your wife isn't here?

-My wife never comes. -Really?

Next time, don't count on me.

OK, good. You're being reasonable.

Good. Now, come on.

-Hi. -Good evening.

-Your wife isn't here? -She never comes.

Let's see what's on tonight.

Ah, it's you.

I don't know why, but I'm so hungry...

-Would you like some pâté? -I'd love it.

-With butter? -Yes.

Just like when you were little. I'm on it. You clean up.

We'll have a little snack.

Ah, you smiled.

That's what I was waiting for. It's an art, you know.

Are you listening?

-Of course. -I can see it in your eyes.

Your eyes may be listening, but you're not.

Fine. Go ahead, I'm listening.

-Whatever happened doesn't matter. -Nothing happened.

Life is a series of upsets, and sometimes, a big catastrophe.

Bernard Shaw wrote...

That suffering isn't a virtue.

-Have I told you that? -Ten times.

Really?

Well, it will blow over quickly. When I was your age...

What are you talking about?

-Everything's fine. -How nice, not wanting to worry me.

They must already know.

Laugh, laugh. You'll laugh without me.

-You're wrong. -How's that?

Come on, Bruno, nobody cares about Manuela's departure.

My poor old man.

-Your wife isn't here? -No, my wife never comes.

Come on, you can take it. Hang in there.

Why would they even care?

They don't see a single couple together

on vacation or anywhere else.

In every French couple,

there are three people, sociologically speaking.

OK then. Good luck.

Why am I telling you this?

Isn't that what you say when someone remarries,

even if it's your wife?

I'm unhappy enough. Why should you be too?

Well, I have to go.

The children are having a great vacation.

Ré is beautiful, with hollyhocks everywhere.

OK, bye.

It's a funny kind of Mom we've got.

-What are you doing here? -I'm scared alone in my room.

There's no need to be afraid.

Can I sleep with you?

-Dad, Dad. I wet the bed. -Here's another problem.

I dreamt I was wetting the bed, but luckily, I woke up,

and get this: I did wet the bed.

Listen to me or you'll fall.

Careful, Grandpa, there's a stone.

Watch out, a hole.

They destroyed all the houses, uprooted all the trees.

Only the cedar's left. Will they keep it?

They'll find some way to kill it.

They're ruining everything. Those developer bastards

have bought the town halls and city councils,

so I'm sure of it. I wouldn't be at all surprised.

It'll be nothing but marinas.

Where there's construction, there's corruption.

The real problems are in Beirut. Shall we have breakfast?

I can't believe it. I've had enough!

It's a scandal!

-What is it? -What a racket!

They're not going to stop us sleeping in!

-We get up early on vacation. -Well, we don't.

And what's with the makeup?

-Did you go out last night? -Nonsense.

Seriously, do something...

The real problems are in Beirut. Shall we have lunch?

Clément, let's eat!

Grief wears you out, so you have to eat.

I had breakfast at Les Colonnes.

I was awoken by a call from Mom.

-She called? -Well, you were asleep.

Émilie broke up with Guillaume.

At least she knows how to cut and run.

Well, I have to go.

-No luck! -Yes, but do you see?

If I push, he puts on a mask. The real problems are in Beirut.

No, I don't want to! I don't want to shower.

Steph, no bath, no beach.

-I don't want to! -Listen to your father!

The problems are in Beirut.

-You don't have any sweets, do you? -Oh, no, no sweets.

You see, Jacqueline, this year again,

I feel a sense of continuity and peace.

Everything is in its place: my Café des Colonnes, my port,

my ramparts, my church,

my hollyhocks, my house, and my wife.

And here comes Clément.

-He's grown up. -Yes, he has.

He's grown up.

You're always the first people I see in the morning.

-We never see you at night. -We're diurnal birds.

My wife never goes out.

We come to the Ile de Ré for our health.

Fill your lungs with iodine and breathe into your belly.

It's good for the metabolism.

-How's Bruno? -He's sleeping.

He's leaving us in peace. That's always a plus.

Let this be a lesson to you, Clément. In life, you have to be dignified.

-Jacques... -No weakness.

-And a lot of iodine. -Well, I'm going for a walk.

Annette, hello.

-Clément. My son. -Hello.

Annette. She looks after Michel's children.

You're the same age, so you should go for a walk.

Michel and I decided to look after the children.

What are castings?

We film people and choose them.

-Even a girl like me? -Of course.

If they want a girl like me, no problem.

-Can you get away? -The new boss is nice.

She won't say anything. I've already made ten mistakes.

She even covered for me. The others couldn't believe it.

Hi, everyone.

-Hi. -Hi, sweetie.

-Guillaume is over there. -What?

What is it?

What are you doing here? I don't want to see you.

Go on, beat it.

-You have nothing to say. -Yes, I do.

-Émilie's no people-pleaser. -No.

We have nothing to say.

-Cool, my love. -Get out of here, you jerk!

He came to pick me up in front of my friends.

-You're not with him anymore? -That bull isn't with anyone.

To get back to what I was saying, if I ask my boss for time off

to do a commercial, she'll say yes. She won't say no to me.

You won't be able to make any mistakes.

Guillaume, you're very kind, but take it up with Émilie.

Well thank you. Goodbye.

Bye.

-Bye. -Bye.

He's not bad.

He needs a woman our age, not a little girl.

There's not that big a difference.

We're not unhappy. No husband, no children...

-No inhibitions. -Speak for yourself.

What could be better?

I feel a little piglet waking up...

Why am I thinking about my accountant?

Claire, you're not going to hog the studio keys.

I can't promise anything.

Make a schedule.

I'll have you know it's Guy and Kiki. Here you go.

It'll be all yours for a week.

-I'm going to Taormina with Guy. -Really?

Why is Guy hiding in his car?

-Is he afraid of us? -We have to be careful.

He thinks his wife suspects him.

I don't want her to figure it out before we leave.

I'm taking a vacation for once...

-Bye. -Bye.

Bye.

Goodbye.

Say, how old is Kiki?

We're the same age. Does she look that good?

-I thought she was younger. -30 years.

-I said the same age. -Yeah, 30.

No. 29.

Since Xavier, I could never be with anyone.

When are you going to take off your chador?

-My what? -Your chador.

You look like you're wearing an invisible chador

like some submissive, monogamous woman. Enough.

Come on.

It's not getting any better.

Do you know what Odette does all day?

No.

She's leaving Avenue de Villiers for an apartment in Batignolles.

She goes back and forth all day.

She transfers a lamp and brings it back.

A trinket, she brings it back.

As if she doesn't know what to do with her memories.

Odette, I don't want to end up like you.

Giving up my comfort is painful, but there are worse things.

What's the worst part?

Meeting your replacement.

-You did that? -Yes.

And seeing a ruby on her finger.

-Big? -Small.

But she seemed to be hoping for a much bigger one.

Oh, that's terrible!

I don't even know what's good anymore.

-You're on your own. -Thank you.

You're helping me, you know? Opening my eyes.

I'm sure of it now.

You're what I don't want to become.

-What's this? -The Whirlpool of Sin.

One of our summer books.

-No, no. The perfume. -Rosewater, darling.

Who's wearing rosewater perfume?

Evangelista. Come here, Evangelista.

Come in here.

-Hello. -Here, smell, Odette.

-No, the book. -Oh, sorry.

Do you like it?

It reminds me of those scented cards I used to collect.

Exactly. Evangelista perfumes herself with rosewater.

I never wear perfume.

Either you're clean and it's useless,

or you're not clean, and you need to wash up.

Fortunately, Evangelista has always worn perfume, hasn't she?

The same perfume as my mother and grandmother.

In Lezoux, in Auvergne, we all use rosewater as perfume.

That's what gave me the idea for a "rose-colored, rose-scented book".

It's simple, but it's worth thinking about.

-A retailer's idea. -But also a poet's.

-What is it, darling? -Nothing. You leave tomorrow, right?

I need to tidy up. A boat is like a house.

Hello, you. When are you taking us?

Five minutes, I've just arrived.

Don't worry. I will soon post the departure times.

We're counting on you.

-Do you organize trips? -No. Not really.

You went on his boat?

There's Clément.

He's my son, but I swear he's a very nice boy,

very sensitive, perhaps even too sensitive.

He looks nice.

Yes, he is. And he reads a lot, but he's not too intellectual.

No, he's very good with his hands.

I don't just say this because he's my son, but at 18, he amazes me.

-He lives in harmony with everything. -That's good.

And he loves nature.

He can recognize an ash-gray plover.

-But he's not an environmentalist. -That's great.

No, I can manage.

He can spend hours in a museum. He's very cultured, very mature.

He's a very well-balanced teenager.

Inside, it might be cooler.

He might be a bit of a loner,

-like me. -Martin...

Oh, sorry.

I'm delighted to see you.

-Are you here for a while? -Yes.

That's great. Will you call me?

-Yes. -OK.

You don't look like a loner.

I can't stand all these 40-year-old women

-who talk like flirts. -Why don't you tell them?

Hi, Brigitte.

-Hi. -How are you, Chantal?

-Feels like a party. -A party?

Well, we'll be keeping an eye on things.

-You're not dancing with Annette? -No...

Hey, my friends are here. I have to go.

He dances well, but he needs to be invited. Come.

We're both babysitters. I don't know what else you do.

I work for TV. Five hours on awful painters

when I only like the great painters,

the great masters: Degas, Matisse, Renoir.

Especially Degas.

-Shall we? -But the public isn't like that.

They don't like happy people, except in showbiz.

A great painter must be unhappy.

Why do you do it then? I couldn't do something I don't like.

I have to live.

I'll tell you, I'm like Louis XV. It's not worth the effort.

Oh, listen to you!

I just believe that you should never cheat, never lie to yourself.

What? I don't like complications, but I lie all the time.

I'm sure my first words were a lie.

I like complications even less, but I've never lied.

You must have some problems. Tell me how you do it.

I'm interested.

Is that you? I thought you weren't coming this year.

-What have you been telling me? -Yeah, no...

I was working for a friend in the south of France.

He just got divorced, and his house disappeared in a forest fire.

-What terrible luck. -I'll call you.

-OK. Bye. -Bye.

You'll never change.

-It's simple. -You think so?

She's happy. She wants to believe me.

She wants me to lie.

He never saw her outside of work.

He never took her home. Bravo.

You really do have an irreproachable husband.

I brought the bill. It'll run you about 6,000.

And I didn't count today.

Here we are.

Excuse me?

I'm just wondering... about your investigation.

Don't worry, I didn't miss a thing.

I know everything. I know.

If you know everything, why did you ask me?

One, to test that bitch's skill.

Two, to stay one step ahead of her. Three, to protect him from himself.

She's good. Very good. You're no match for her. I am.

I'm fighting, and I'll keep on fighting.

-And the check? -It's on the table.

Here, look at this. The proof.

You should have done this before your husband left.

Tocanier and Evangelista with files under their arms.

You can see they're not doing anything.

The crime is sweeter than the truth. True or false?

True.

The others say that Tocanier has done nothing.

-And you believe it too. -Yes, I do.

When your friends and enemies agree,

they're usually wrong.

When is Marie-Françoise's next spasmophilia attack going to be?

-I think we're on the verge. -I'm waiting for depression.

Marie-Françoise never does anything half-assed.

How old was Tocanier when they met?

Hello, Angie.

She was 18. He was 37. A bachelor who was getting by.

He shined his own shoes. He'd say, "It should look like a mirror."

What's Kiki doing?

I have a meeting at the agency, and then I need the studio keys.

-Know what my accountant looks like? -An accountant.

The guy you were with five or six years ago.

-Which one? -The one with the old motorcycle.

Oh, yeah. Why did we call him that?

When he drank, he thought he was Lawrence of Arabia.

He was a funny guy.

At his wedding, he said to his wife:

"My darling, don't count on me under any circumstances."

-I like that. -So, he's not bad, your accountant.

I keep telling you, but he's a pain in the ass.

Be careful, Barbie. Whenever you like someone,

you start by finding the guy annoying.

-Are you sure? -Positive.

You've fallen in love with some real idiots that way.

Dora, don't use words that are too difficult for you.

How do you do it?

Guys come and go.

I don't want to be bored. That's all I care about.

Kiki, the keys.

Were you at the studio yesterday?

-No, you were. -There were weird noises.

-I thought it was you. -Bye.

When I sit down, my belly folds over my thighs.

It's the only human contact I have.

-Pull yourself together, Odette. -Do you hear yourself?

She'll give us the blues.

Shake it off. I mean, we'll find her someone.

I only had Xavier, no one else.

I don't even know how to seduce a man anymore.

Have you thought about classified ads?

When I married Martin, I hated lying.

-Women are always deceived. -I'm sorry, Marie-Françoise,

but isn't Tocanier past the age of fooling around?

And with all due respect, his secretary is very nice,

-but she's nothing special. -No.

So you think that...

You make me laugh.

Tocanier is a man about town.

Once he's dressed up, anything can happen.

I fear the worst. I sense danger.

You always sense danger.

Yes, but what can I do? He amuses me.

I can't stand it.

I can't stand the idea of him making someone else laugh.

Yes...

You're very quiet this year.

More than you know.

I decided to have a very quiet month.

Yeah, I know you.

-You act mysterious and then... -Then what?

Look what Guillaume sent me.

How nice.

-He cares for you. -No, but look...

-That's less nice. -I'm thirsty.

You know what I'm going to do?

-A sabbatical. -You're quitting your job?

A romantic sabbatical. No more guys for a year.

I'm going to sabotage myself.

I'm going to hide the beautiful and highlight the ugly.

I'll be so unpleasant that no one will care about me anymore.

I'm going to be awful.

What an idea!

I think it's great.

-Will it work? -I hope so.

You do as you like.

For the time being, maybe that's just as well,

but eventually, we all need someone to please.

-Always? -Always.

-Well, there's you. -Sweetie...

-Are you going out tonight? -No, are you?

Certainly not.

Want to go for a walk?

-Wouldn't that be nice? -If you like, yes.

It's all over now. She's been spying on us.

She pulled my hair out.

Look, she hit me while I was sleeping

with such violence that she broke my glasses.

She's crazy.

And above all, don't cut corners.

She might call you if she has any doubts.

OK?

She'll tell the girls everything, and they'll be on her side.

She took all my money.

I'll leave you my number. Call me,

even from a phone booth or whatever.

-What are you thinking about? -My vacuum cleaner.

Far from providing the service I expected,

it often acts out.

That's your reaction? Are you mad at me?

How could I be?

What could be worse than this?

The end of a love story.

Well, if it isn't the baker's wife's husband.

That's nice. I get it.

Come on, Bruno.

And he's touchy...

You don't have Hemingway's rifle in your mouth, do you?

How many of us are there?

-Five plus Stéphie. -Four.

-You're not coming? -No.

I'm going for a walk.

I think I had too much cafe au lait.

I can already see the horizon moving.

You're not going to be sick, are you?

-Do you want to stay? -Yes.

Good, very good.

I want to be the only child on this boat.

-Where's Annette? -With Élodie.

Take Stéphie with you, spend the day with her.

OK.

-You're a little bossy. -No.

Excuse me. I forgot my cap.

-You don't need a cap. -What did you say?

That girl is so stupid that her only day of happiness

is when the new Elle and Marie-Claire come out.

If you're talking about her, go and find her.

We want to swim.

Oh, how disgusting!

Do you have to do that in public?

Do you know what separates locals from vacationers?

Locals eat inside and shit outside,

and vacationers, it's the other way around.

That's good.

-They're so vulgar. -What idiots.

We can't stay with them.

-Why are you looking at me like that? -You're always smiling.

-You think? -You're making fun of everyone.

-Everyone? -Bruno, Dad, Jacques.

-For good reason. -That's true.

They remind me of children who don't want to grow up.

-What's that? A war wound? -No, it's a love wound.

Love doesn't leave scars, only memories.

-You're all red. -It's the sun.

More serious than love wounds. I'll put some sunscreen on you.

I know what I'm going to do.

He's up to one of his tricks.

-I'm going to get it together. -OK.

-I won't bother you about Manuela. -That's good.

-I'm going to write a novel. -Told you!

It begins with an image: a woman, standing in front of the sea,

sunlight in the hair,

and a voice saying, "Here she is, the little doe."

-Is it you speaking? -Yes, sir.

-Then what? -Then that's it. That's all I have.

-Do you have a title? -No. That's all I have, I said.

It's important. A good title for a bad book

is sometimes better than the opposite.

I heard that on Apostrophes.

Marguerite Duras, will you help me lift the boom?

What's a boom?

Look at him in his admiral's cap.

But you don't know anything about boats.

Because I don't have a boat.

You look nice.

Just like every other day.

What a good day we had.

Wait until evening to say that.

Well, what's wrong with it?

-What's wrong with him? -Here you go.

What's up with you?

-I'll have to wear a corset. -No, you won't. It's lumbago.

My cap. Clément, get my cap.

-Martin, didn't you have lumbago? -No.

Yes, you had lumbago.

-No. -You did, Dad. Last year.

-Clément, I've never had lumbago. -Yes, he did.

Lumbago can be treated with ointments and massages.

I'm a pharmacist, and I know there's no cure.

I also have ankylosis in my knees.

But that's treatable.

Annette, what are you doing?

An assignment on environmental protection.

I'm drawing the island before it was urbanized.

-Before it was what? -Urbanized.

A wild place turned into an urban jungle.

Annette, would you mind picking up the phone?

I think it's my producers.

-Hello, Fatima. -Hello, Jacques.

-Not looking too good. -That's age.

And rheumatism.

Nasty combination.

Yes, he's coming. Yes.

Hold on, I'll put him on. It's your wife.

Dora, darling. How are you?

Clément is fine.

And Emilie?

What? She's taking a sabbatical? That's typical.

They called the house?

Did you tell them I was finished, practically finished?

No, it's true.

What do you mean, haven't started yet?

How can I work if I'm constantly being harassed?

If you, my own wife, don't believe me...

You gave them this phone number?

Oh, no, are you serious? So...

OK. No, I love you, but I'm hanging up.

OK, bye.

Sometimes, I can't believe it.

You sure you're made for these situations?

It's always cool in here, even when it's sunny outside.

Yeah, it's nice.

-Was there a noise in the garden? -A noise?

Excuse me.

Tocanier, what are you doing here? Come in.

Hello. No, I'm fine.

I just came to bring the girls' bag that Odette entrusted to me.

Oh, let's give it to them.

There they are. They're sneaking out.

Watch them run.

-Gazelles. -Should we catch them?

-No. They won't be back until late. -OK then.

You're right, Martin.

Vacation is a breakfast in the sun,

and the sun must be for them.

I'll leave you now. Good evening.

-Good evening. -Good evening.

He looks sad.

Tocanier? He's as solid as BNP Paribas Bank.

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

You've changed everything!

-I don't recognize anything. -Me neither.

-Do you like it? -Not at all.

Me neither. It's not a local house anymore.

It's like a local movie theater turned shopping mall.

All that's missing is the neon sign.

Yeah, but that's the way it is.

-And your collections? -Sold, scattered.

Oh, yes, I still have this exquisite Bambara statuette

brought to me from Mali by my old friend André Sheller.

It was for young people like Charles.

He carried it during ritual dances.

Here, it's for you.

-I can't. -Yes, you can.

Like my dear Stendhal,

I only want to collect moments of happiness.

One, fire.

Two, accident.

-Three... -The sea.

Yes, it's the sea.

Hole.

Jump, Grandpa. There's a log.

What are you up to, Éléonore?

He's my grandfather. I can make him jump if I want.

Log.

Hole.

-What's her name? -Éléonore.

-Do you know her? -She was on the train with us.

I like her.

Stop fiddling with that. It's annoying me.

It's Xavier's.

He used to tie his notebooks with it when we first met.

-I kept it. -A rubber band is a rubber band.

You're crazy...

He's supposed to call me. Will you wait with me?

Oh, no, no. No way.

So, are you going?

Stop whining. We're being watched.

The dentist from the first floor.

Are you going?

-Can't you wait with me? -No, I said.

It's Odette. The gentleman in the ad wrote to me.

Be careful.

Hello. Yes, Odette.

Yes. Go for it.

I'm in the middle of a Proust questionnaire.

Yes, Proust. Listen, I'll call you back.

Good. Favorite color, vermilion.

-Your real-life hero? -Mr. Tocanier.

-Is that all, Mrs. Tocanier? -Yes. That's all.

OK. I've got work to do.

She's good.

-Shall we? -Let's go.

The key to good health is work.

Work as much as possible, sleep as little as possible,

and above all, eat very little.

Eat a few vegetables, a few fruits...

What's wrong with him?

Let me through. I'm a doctor.

How pretty you are...

Is it you?

I bet you say that to all women.

How can you think that? We're made for each other.

We were created for each other.

That's a little fast. You're too romantic.

Lend me 50,000 francs.

Excuse me?

Darling, lend me 50,000 francs.

You want me to lend you 50,000 francs?

-50,000 old francs? -New.

-Five million cents. -What are you saying?

Nothing can keep us apart. Darling, only you can save me.

You must, in the name of our unbreakable bond,

and I do mean unbreakable, that binds us together forever.

I have a sick wife, seven children who haven't eaten.

Darling, save me. Please save me!

You're my only hope. After that, there's only God.

My bag... Thief! My purse!

Save me! Save me!

No! Help!

A cognac. Quick, a cognac.

-And with this? -That's all. Thank you.

Is something wrong, Mrs. Letellier?

A little discomfort. It'll pass.

-But you look pale. -How much do I owe you?

-You want to pay your bill. -No, just the cognac.

I'll be back tomorrow.

So I'll keep the bill, the bill for 2,491 francs.

Yes, that's right. Listen, why don't you add the cognac to it?

Goodbye.

I don't know what's wrong with me, but I feel great...

A few days' vacation, and you've forgotten all about it.

What does he have to forget?

He had a little heartache.

-No, not at all. -Look.

Isn't that Jojo Pichard's widow?

Jojo Pichard, she fed him too much, his widow.

He started out with a stroke that paralyzed his right side.

That means he still had the left side.

He was good for nothing.

She was always hot, the widow.

She won't be enjoying her oysters alone.

Brevity is the main virtue of widowhood.

-Clément. -Yes?

Do you still want to be an archaeologist?

-Yes, yes. -So listen to this advice.

In your life, choose sexual archeology.

Are you thinking of the widow Pichard?

Women in their 40s are uninhibited.

They do more than the army to turn boys into men.

You need older women.

Choose women who already have a past.

Don't choose a ruin.

No, what he needs is someone his own age.

-Someone like Annette. -What?

-What about my broken heart? -We'll take care of your grief.

Offer me your noise, your nocturnal sliding,

oh, luxury train... Isn't the tide changing tomorrow?

-I don't know. -It's not going to be sunny.

Wait, Éléonore! We're coming!

Are you alone?

-And Clement? -He's painting with Jacques' wife.

Oh, he's not a bad painter.

Last year, he redid the entire kitchen.

When Clément was little, were you a father like him?

No, not really.

I was mostly absent. Clément intimidated me as a child.

I never knew why.

You know the first sentence he wrote?

"My name is Clément, and I am happy."

First and last sentence. His complete works.

What more is there to say?

-And your work? -You're not going to start.

I refuse to be cooped up in weather like this.

I work much better at night.

The trouble is that I sleep here at night.

-It's the micro-climate. -Martin...

I wonder how your wife stands you.

She doesn't have to.

You know, we've always lived... You know what I mean.

Another couple that has groped their way forward

in the twilight of old morals.

More ready-made ideas on how to fold your napkin.

It's simple. When a couple lives together, there's one rule:

-don't annoy each other. -Martin...

-Martin... -Martin...

Go ahead.

No. You don't agree with me.

I can't agree. My one rule would be that we talk.

About what? We keep what's essential to ourselves.

It's personal, like a toothbrush.

-Martin! -Yes, Élodie?

I've had enough.

-Enough of what? -I don't want to be the goat anymore.

What goat?

They told me I was a goat tied to a stake,

and they took the opportunity to play with the ponies.

-Martin? -I'm busy.

Are you lying to Jacques?

-I don't tell him everything. -It's better that way.

-Why do you ask? -Just because.

Some things are better left unsaid.

-What things? -Well, you know.

-It's hot. -Maybe it's your blouse.

I can't take it off. I've got nothing underneath.

I've known you all my life, and I've seen you at the beach.

But it's not the same.

That's true, it's not.

The year we met you and Jacques,

I was, like, 8 years old.

You fell out of a folding chair in the garden.

You left in a fit of laughter, and you had nothing underneath.

Mom noticed but didn't say anything.

I don't remember.

It's not a wound, just a memory.

-A good memory? -Very good.

Nice. Salty.

Normally, it's from tears.

Come quickly.

Your work is beautiful.

Beautiful!

Look how elegant you look, Mr. Tocanier.

I've taken up sport. Maybe that's it.

Yes.

-Is it that obvious? -A little.

Marie-Françoise says I'm difficult to dress.

She says, "You're mostly bust."

-What do you think? -Not at all.

For my figure,

she makes a mess of my clothes.

But it takes a housewife to make slob elegant.

I miss her. She's difficult, Marie-Françoise.

I would have added a little vermilion, but she doesn't like it.

So it's best not to upset her.

-I can make myself useful. -No, it's OK.

What I liked most about my round-the-world trip

-were the camels in Japan. -You mean in Egypt?

Yes, that's what I meant. In Egypt.

And on the other side of the world, what did you enjoy most?

-Crocodile sheep in Florida. -Is there such a thing?

-Where to next? -To the Café du Port.

We'll have a banana split with lots of whipped cream.

Maybe an iceberg too.

Did you see the words Bruno used?

"Departure", "cello", "bitch", "saxophone".

What about them?

He summarized his story and set it to music, which is his right.

Who put my bra away?

-Not me. -Me neither.

It's gone.

-Are you playing, Martin? -Yes.

Chantal!

Let me see the bra you're wearing!

-Why should I show it to you? -Let me see.

-Let me see. -But I don't want to.

It's private.

But that's my bra! I hate it when people take my things.

Give it back!

-You're not taking my stuff? -No.

You can't borrow that!

Quiet, up there. We can't concentrate.

Hello. We're Jimmy and Claude.

We're here to pick up Chantal and Brigitte.

-Let go! -I'm the one who buys them.

I put "er" next to "scorch". That's "scorcher".

-No, it's not. -Yes, it's not.

There's no such thing.

Yes, Michel. There is.

Jacques, I'm telling you, it doesn't exist.

-I'll get the dictionary. -If you like.

-There's one here. -No. Mine.

Give it back!

Clément!

Pick up, it might be my TV producers.

-Go answer it yourself. -Hello?

It's Mom and Odette.

-Send them our love. -They send their love.

-Yes, the girls are fine. -Great.

Ah, Dad? He's working a lot, non-stop.

-Are you done? -Go on, you tell them.

Invent, improvise.

Listen, he's not quite finished yet. He's having problems with Gauguin.

Not only with Gauguin.

He doesn't know if she's a Polynesian from Tahiti or Tuamotu

whom he brought back to Pont-Aven.

She says you should have thought of that.

Tell her I'm just reworking it.

He's reworking it.

-Aren't you ashamed, Martin? -No.

You're no fun. Here's your bra.

You're the annoying one. She doesn't put her things away,

and she takes everyone else's, personal stuff too.

Do you want me to lend you a bra?

To scorch, scorched, scorching.

-And "scorcher". -No.

-Sorry. -There was a man with that name.

It was a pseudonym of Stendhal's. They're still here, poor kids.

Soon, there'll be more room.

When I was your age, I went where I wanted.

Young people have lost their audacity.

You lower our arms and then your heads.

You have to keep your head down, or you'll get hit.

They can't go out. They don't have permission.

-Well, excuse us. -Goodbye.

How disgusting!

We can't have friends anymore?

-Here, it's your mother. -I'll catch them.

Hello, Mom?

If we can't go out, the boys won't want to see us.

They're going to dump us,

and you don't care.

Ah, that's more like it. Yes, we'll be reasonable.

OK.

If you like, Clément can come with us.

-Oh, no. -Yes.

You and Annette go with them. It'll distract you.

No. I'm reading.

Yes. Listen, I have to go.

We're in a hurry. See you soon.

Mom gave us a pass until midnight.

What? That's it?

Goodbye.

-Bye. -Goodbye.

-And good evening. -Well done.

-What authority! -Go on, play.

I found another word.

"Widowhood".

Bruno, you're asking for more misfortune.

-Come on, widowhood. -Widowhood.

The newspaper. I need to read the newspaper.

-What are you getting? -Anything. Anything at all.

It's always the same.

-We saw you on your bicycle. -I saw you too.

You haven't changed a bit.

You've made me make a mistake. It's the first time.

Dad, Dad...

What is it, Élodie?

Steph isn't being nice to me.

-What's he doing now? -He won't read my letter.

Give it to me. I'll read it.

-No. It's a personal letter. -"Personal?"

-It's a love letter. -Ah, if it's a love letter...

Steph, I wish you'd be a little nicer to your sister.

-She's not a witch. -All she has to do is learn to read.

-I don't have all day. -I disagree.

You could listen to your father. She's little.

Well, OK. I know, I'm big.

OK. Come on.

Ah, well.

Come on.

-Give me a hand. -Gladly.

Read me the letter, Steph,

but I'm going to cover your ears, so you can't hear.

Go ahead.

"Electroshock, electroshock. Incurable melancholy.

"Electroshock, electroshock. My poor heart is on the sand..."

He wrote me a song!

Look to the right, to the left, lift up your hair...

Emily!

-I thought you were in Sardinia. -I made a mistake.

I'm in love, and I adore Clément.

And how did you realize that?

My chemistry's all out of whack. It's because I'm in love.

For me, it's when I eat. With Jean-Marc, I put on 10 pounds.

With Paul, 5 pounds. I liked him less.

-Is that it? -I don't know. I'm confused.

You know, knowing he's all alone on the Ile de Ré,

it's like leaving a poodle at the pound.

-That's what you think? -Yes.

-Well, forget it. -If you think it's easy...

Love is best in imagination. There are always problems.

Love stories are always compelling.

-What's with the outfit? -I'm on sabbatical.

-Really? -Yes.

But what do we do about Clément?

Olga, calm down. Let's analyze your feelings first.

-Go ahead. -OK.

Not the left hand, the right hand.

Upheaval, travel, infidelity, betrayal...

-Wow... -So, is it bad?

I knew it.

I see a dark-haired woman emerging from a sinister fog,

like a curse.

And there, you see?

-There, the gallows. -I knew it.

Let's discuss.

The eel's intention is to escape.

Ours is to catch it.

So you have to guess what the eel is going to do and anticipate it.

So, you're going to work as skirmishers.

An eel...

-Come here. -There's one.

Well, well.

Come on...

"Oh, pathetic young girls.

"Their cries of joy Their open hands

"Their strange vanities..."

Come on.

-That's it. -Finally.

We have some.

Small, silver pearl...

Another...

You don't fry eels.

You sear them.

Eels are hard to grasp. They're slippery.

I used to tell Manuela that she was one.

Give Manuela a break.

-What else are we having? -A Nicoise salad.

But be careful.

You can put anything you like in a Nicoise salad

except for anchovies and tuna.

Tuna or anchovies, never both. That's heresy.

You should definitely draw up a Nicoise salad charter.

Be careful.

The French mania for regulation kills initiative.

It's killing us.

Enough. We're here to eat, not to save France.

Merciful God

Oh, victorious God

Save France

In the name of the Sacred Heart

Save, save France

In the name of the Sacred Heart

-Do you like it, Tocanier? -I don't dislike it.

Still a monarchist, Tocanier?

Yes, but with a nuance you find hard to understand.

Like Stendhal, I'm in favor of an absolute monarchy,

tempered by assassination.

Hard to imagine for a center-left pharmacist.

If we cut off more heads, members of the government

would make fewer errors. That's all I have to say.

-Oh, a ladybug! -Well, come on, let's eat.

-Let's eat. -The good Lord's pet.

-Sit down. -The good Lord's pet.

Here, a good luck charm.

-For me? -Yes.

This one's worthless.

I gave you one last week,

the shell that protects you from sharks.

Come on, let's eat.

It's a Chinese good luck charm.

You've been to China?

Can't you tell I'm a little Chinese?

The sky, it covers and uncovers.

-It's the micro-climate. -I know a Japanese restaurant

that makes Nicoise salad with raw fish.

I like raw fish.

-What do you put in your Nicoise? -Me, anchovies.

What do you drink with anchovies?

In the cooler, in my trunk. Can you get it?

There.

Are you alone?

Didn't you bring your two friends?

I think they're nice.

They're good, these little guys.

-I wanted to see them. -What?

We're not with them anymore. They're idiots.

And rude too.

We're raising monsters.

Please. It's my turn to lecture them.

It's vacation.

There are no lectures.

Well, we're hungry.

We're hungry!

Here are the eels you caught with your white hands.

-How disgusting. -That's inhumane!

We're not going to eat animals we've seen alive.

It's awful. They feel pain.

-It's red wine. -Yes, that's right.

I can't drink red wine with anchovies and eels.

Tocanier.

Anchovies need white.

Well, that's fair. I'm sorry about that.

I have Condrieu in my cellar, but I'm too lazy to go get it.

-I'll go. -You don't know where it is.

Clément, go with Jacqueline.

I'll go with you.

We'll have it with cheese.

Are you coming for a swim after lunch, Éléonore?

No, I don't think so.

You have to wait two hours after eating.

Otherwise, you swell up like a fish and die. Bye.

Stay here, Éléonore.

-We'll get the wine. -Come on.

To escape one problem, create another.

When I see these girls dating three guys,

I think we're stupid.

Are we stupid because we turn down losers?

Look at the guys. Look at him.

Hey, sweaty socks!

And this one stinks.

Oh, droopy drawers!

Hey, little Smurf!

Look at this one. Pale fool!

-You won't believe this. -What's wrong with her?

Having your boss make a pass at you,

it can be annoying, but it's normal.

When she's a woman, what can you do?

You do what you'd do with a guy. You refuse.

-But if she insists? -A kick in the balls.

I didn't think insurance was like that.

What's wrong with her?

A classic problem of promotion and sexual harassment.

If you're not safe in insurance...

You're in trouble.

No, I spoke to your father and brother on the phone.

They're fine.

-Did Clément mention me? -He's already forgotten about you.

Out of sight, out of mind.

-I've got to go. -Don't get excited.

I'd rather not witness that scene.

What are you doing here?

I found this little cat. I'm as miserable as he is.

No, but... What?

-That's so cute. Go after him. -Are you crazy?

You can't fool me. I'm not TV.

Personally, I can't resist the emotional charge of symbols.

You're too sentimental, old girl. I'd like to be sentimental too.

Since we broke up, I've felt relieved,

like I finally took off shoes that were too small.

To think that I left Clément when he was at such a difficult age...

Men are always at a difficult age, Olga.

She's coming down the mountain on horseback

She's coming down the mountain on horseback

She's coming down the mountain She's coming down the mountain

She's coming down the mountain on horseback

One, two

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Tocanier has been bewitched. I know it.

It's happened in my family before,

to my father. My mother told me all about it.

Marie-Françoise, this girl is from Clermont-Ferrand.

The Auvergnats don't bewitch anyone.

They don't throw out spells any more than pennies.

-That's how the Auvergnats are. -Yeah.

I love you, I love you.

I need to talk to you, Odette.

You see, I absolutely must introduce you to Mom.

I've never been able to date without asking her opinion.

Open.

I'm sure she'll love you.

Tell me you accept, Odette.

Tell me.

Thank you, Odette.

Remember, you mustn't upset her.

She has a fragile heart.

If we don't give in to her whims, anything could happen.

She's 83, you see? Don't contradict her.

Ah, it's you, my boy. You're on time. That's good.

You've got your good suit on.

Come in, miss.

-Mom, this is... -Wipe your feet.

I know you wouldn't come in with scuffed shoes!

Excuse me.

Her heart.

-What's your name? -Odette.

Odette. That's nice, Odette.

Well, sit down, Odette.

-Would you like some chocolate? -I love chocolate.

Serve it.

-You'll have cake? -Yes.

There's also cake and clafoutis. I think you're very skinny.

Clafoutis, I'll see.

"I'll see"? We'll see if you'll see.

I spent my whole day

making all these cakes so that...

Yes, I'll have some. I'll even start with this.

I'll go get them. I'll be right back.

You're going to finish that little piece.

No, thanks.

I said, "You're going to finish that little piece of cake."

I heard you,

but I've already eaten so much that I'm completely...

We finish our cake!

Mom, you can see that Odette can't eat anymore.

What?

To the cupboard, naughty boy! You're grounded.

Come on, come on.

You can come out when you start behaving.

To the closet for your punishment! Come on.

I think you're pretty harsh.

-Because you defended him? -But it wasn't his fault.

-Mom... -What?

To the closet. You're grounded too!

That naughty boy wants to kill his mother...

To the closet. I mean...

I'm going to wash up.

Oh, Odette...

Thank you, Odette.

Mom... Mom, I didn't want to.

It was her. Mom.

Mom, Mom...

I won't do it again, Mom.

Mom...

I deserved to be punished, Mom.

Mom...

Don't you think we might have gone too far?

A little sleep...

You'll see, it'll put her back on her feet.

I wonder if I might need a dose.

-Why? -To forget.

Can I see her? Can I see her?

-How's it going? -Good.

We wake her up every six hours to make her eat,

but she's refusing all cake.

What did he do?

What did he say? Nothing.

What does this... It doesn't exist.

I have to go.

It's not getting any better.

Ma'am.

Yes, is this the National Bank?

-Are you here to see Pierre-André? -The chief archivist.

Follow me, please. Please have a seat.

He's on the first floor. Take the stairs.

To the left at the end of the hall. Hurry up, hurry up.

Pierre-André? There's someone here to see you.

-Ma'am? -I'm Mrs. Tocanier.

Ah, yes, we had an appointment. Come on in.

-Let me see the beast. -Here.

Did you buy it on the quay?

Yes.

You can tell. They feed them corn.

It's a farm-raised Bresse, not a Loué chicken.

They didn't tell me it had to be a Loué chicken.

The Loué has more flavor.

The best are the cage-free chickens.

They raise them in the wild.

-You don't know any farmers? -No. Unfortunately not.

Fine.

We'll figure it out. If you'll follow me...

How's it going? Not working too hard?

Hope I'm not disturbing you... Lazy...

-Do you have photos? -Yes, yes.

This is that woman with my husband.

This was taken by the Marvier agency.

Yes.

What does your husband do?

He's the publisher and CEO of Colombine Publishing.

My cousin also works in publishing.

-Really? -Yes.

She worked at Gallimard. Do you know Gallimard?

My husband has many friends there.

We see them often.

This is my cousin, Isabelle.

-She's very smart. -I'm sure she is.

The spell costs 350 francs.

For a spell and a love potion,

-that's 550 francs. -I'll take the lot.

Well, let's show your chicken a good time.

-Right now? -Yes.

Mr. Director.

-Sir. -Good morning.

-Good morning, Pierre-André. -Good morning, sir.

What do we have today?

They're all here, sir, plus the lady's.

-It's a Bresse. A little skinny. -I'm sorry.

-And where does this one come from? -From the countryside, sir.

-A real farmyard. -I'll take it.

Yes, sir.

Will you prepare it? I'll take it when I leave.

Yes, sir. Goodbye, sir.

Let's go, Mrs. Tocanier.

-Have you started? -Pass me the cloth.

Chicken, chicken...

Come on, hold the neck.

Hold it. Hold it tight.

What's wrong?

-Is it serious? -Yes.

Blood clotting is serious.

See the gallows?

-Again? -That's not good.

Your husband's secretary is a very nasty woman.

I knew it.

-Your husband is in great danger. -I knew it.

But he'll fix it.

See that photo over there? Take it.

Look at it and think hard.

I hate her. I hate her.

I hate her. I hate her.

Yes. I hate her. She has to die.

No, no joke. We'll just neutralize her.

Come here.

Repeat after me.

That's 350 francs.

-Sorry, I don't have change. -That's OK.

Now for the love potion.

Oh, I'm so tired. Hey, what's that formula again?

Repeat.

-No. Say "fe, fe, fe". -Fe, fe, fe.

200 francs.

What's next?

You'll have your wish within a week.

-I have to look after my chickens. -Can I help you?

Yes, come and prepare the director's chicken.

Fe, fe, fe. Fe, fe, fe.

Jump!

Mom, this is serious. I don't like girls anymore.

They're mean, and they change all the time.

But let me introduce you to my friend Martine.

She has the biggest feet of all of us.

I'm sure you'll like her.

Mom, my legs hurt, and I'm very cold.

I have two sweaters, and I'm sleeping in Dad's bed.

-She's crying. -Mom, why are you crying?

No, he was joking.

Yes, I was. We miss you, Mom.

Listen, Mom. Don't cry anymore.

Here.

-What are you doing? -It's Mom. We're kissing her.

Our mouths were full of kisses.

I feel like I've been here before.

Really?

When you arrived from Paris, you took us all to the beach.

We went swimming, and Mom wrapped us in a big towel.

You told us stories.

Sounds real enough to be interesting

and fake enough not to put you to sleep.

-We were fine, the four of us. -That's true.

-Dad. -Yes?

Why do you and Mom see so little of each other?

First of all, Mom always has lots of things to do.

-And we do see each other. -You looked happy in the photo.

-Which photo? -The one from when Mom was pregnant.

Yes.

You're not disappointed?

-Disappointed with what? -With life. With our life.

Not at all.

You can't be disappointed with life. Life is wonderful.

Good evening.

-Have you seen my baby? -I see a big guy.

Are you sure that paternal love isn't distorting things?

I can't answer that for you.

Dora.

No, I'm talking quietly because Clément is asleep on the sofa.

Yes. He looks just like he did when he was a baby.

He's a cutie. All it needs is a bucket and a shovel.

That's right.

You don't say. You can do as you like. Can't you come?

But try to send Emilie for a few days.

What's good at the moment

is that I've really reached my cruising speed.

-Got a light? -What's the matter?

-You smoke cigars now? -Yes. You should try it sometime.

-Hi. -What's wrong?

-She's changed. -Hi.

Come on, Olga. Let's have breakfast.

Hi, Mom.

I want lots of croissants.

-Hello, girls. -Hi, Dora.

I know, I know.

Don't ask me what's wrong. I'll tell you.

I'm hurt. My August is ruined.

Come on, help me.

Barbie, what happened to you?

The accountant was a klutz.

Hi. How are you?

I'm so great... It's done.

-She's going back to Auvergne. -So the chickens worked.

Oh my God! I fired her.

-What's with you? -The accountant was a klutz.

Bad luck. Hi, girls. Take care.

When she was suffering, she was OK.

When she's happy, it's too much.

Jojo read L'Équipe every day. It's a man's newspaper.

I get it for cycling.

When I was young, I did competitions.

-I could have gone pro. -Jojo loved you very much.

He'd say, "Bruno doesn't look like much, but he's got substance."

He said I didn't look like much?

Bruno, stop by one of these evenings.

I'd love to. We'll talk about Jojo.

Jojo was someone who could see beyond appearances.

Comas was known as a black wine, Charlemagne's favorite wine.

They all say pinot was Charlemagne's favorite,

even in California.

I'm thirsty.

Oh, you don't taste, you whistle.

You have to admire it, appreciate the bouquet.

-Make some effort. -I'm too thirsty.

Like all Rhône Valley wines, it smells of the mistral.

"Like all wines, it smells of the mistral..."

Now get to work. No more boozing.

There are 380 bottles to rinse.

One more for the road.

That's a beautiful dress, Éléonore.

All the better to say goodbye to you.

Éléonore.

Éléonore!

48, 49...

Éléonore!

I'm Ophelia. I want to die.

Only someone who loves me can save me.

Éléonore...

Éléonore!

I want to die...

63.

64.

65.

Let go of me!

Why did you do such a thing, Éléonore?

I thought you were big.

I'm tired of being treated like I'm ten years old.

But you are ten, Éléonore. Come on.

I'm tired of nobody talking to me. I'm tired of talking to myself.

You saved me because you love me.

Of course, I love you. And you swim like a fish.

No, you don't love me.

Yes, I do.

I may be a little girl, but I'm not a child.

I never was.

I've always lived among grown-ups.

I know all the secrets.

You'll catch a cold. And never do that again.

Isn't she a little young for him?

That's not the advice I gave him.

-You love her, don't you? -Who? You're crazy!

-I saw you in the cellar. -In the cellar?

I wonder who he might have come to the cellar with.

He hides his game well.

You look after your nieces, fine, but your son... Let him live.

He's getting around. Don't complain.

I just want to know.

She's probably married.

Their big distraction here is the kids.

I know all about that.

I followed you.

And I saw you two kissing in the cellar.

I knew the wine was just an excuse.

It's very naughty to spy on people.

I can't hear.

Come on, we've got to finish these.

Quick, let's go.

Let's get to work.

-I want to know. -So do I.

-No. -We can't.

So are you going to marry Jacqueline?

Éléonore, since you know the secrets of grown-ups,

you should know that you can kiss someone without getting married.

And when you do what you did?

Are you saying that you...

No, Clément. I left before. I'm not interested in that.

-What does that mean? -What?

-What we just heard. -It's kid stuff.

Jacques, I thought you married for love too.

Did you hear? A snot-nosed kid, and in your basement...

You're too alone, Éléonore.

Find yourself a nice boyfriend your own age.

Steph's in love with you. I'm already an old man.

I'm not interested in boys my own age.

If I was a little girl, I'd have said I wanted to marry you,

but I'm already grown up.

I'm going away, Clément, far away, to the end of the world.

And when this bracelet falls off, I'll have forgotten you.

Does it make sense?

She thinks that at 18, a man is a man?

He does look like one.

A man is something else.

He's right.

-Are you going to defend him? -No, of course not. No.

You're right. There's no substitute for experience and know-how.

But there will always be women who prefer young boys

to gentlemen of a respectable age and an arthritic temperament.

I'm sure it was Jacqueline who made the move.

Manuela called to young men from her window.

Oh, shut up.

You recommended an older woman to Clément.

But not mine.

Obviously, she needed something.

Don't you say that again.

-Don't you say that... -No, no!

We're all a bit worked up. It's the cellar air.

I'm not going to be made a fool of by an 18-year-old,

even if it's your son and even if it's my wife.

Women require brakes and muzzles.

Sometimes, kids imagine things.

Éléonore could have seen wrong.

No, but it's true.

There are days, you know,

where you can say you've had enough of the adult world

seen through the eyes of a little girl.

Hi, Clément.

Jacques, how are you? Isn't your wife with you?

But...

I know your affair with Clément has been going on since Paris.

I'll put up with you being ridiculous but not grotesque.

I'd always taken her for a woman of duty,

an old-fashioned type.

Beware of people who seem too reasonable.

They take you by surprise.

Your affair is nothing.

My uncle ran a theater.

I've seen so many actors in their underpants

that my life is a room full of slamming doors,

-lovers in every closet... -Mine was in the cellar.

You could have been careful. Who do you think I am?

You can't leave witnesses. Vaudeville is serious business.

-Am I interrupting? -No. I was just making some coffee.

This is Jojo in Montargis, at the beginning of our marriage.

He was president of the rotary.

We had such a nice time. It was our paradise.

Shall we go to the living room?

After that, we traveled.

This is Jojo in Saint-Germain-des-Fossés,

at the inauguration of the soccer club's new field.

Jojo gave a speech.

He said: "Reims without Kopa

"is like Addis without Abeba."

Nice.

Now, I'm alone.

You can't replace a man like Jojo.

What about desire?

Ah, desire... It's not a rational thing.

It catches you unaware, takes you out of yourself,

even paralyzes you.

Or it piles up slowly, slowly, like a depression.

-Like thunder? -A storm that finally breaks.

-That's how it feels for me. -Me too.

Months of silence, then suddenly, wham, wham.

You have to be able to overcome them.

Why? Let's obey the laws of nature.

We'll ask Jojo.

Jojo? What?

I don't know what's going on, but I think we're on our own.

Let's go.

Steph, I'd like you to meet my friend Martine.

She has the biggest feet of all of us.

I have big feet, but more than that, I'm jealous.

I'm jealous at the table, jealous of what other people are eating.

-OK. -I like her...

What do you want me to say?

I hate having an influence on those around me,

let alone those I love.

Influence is immoral.

Oscar Wilde said it, and he was right.

You quote others, but what do you have to say, Dad?

I say what your mother says: you have to know how far you can go

-and go a little further. -I'm well on my way.

Stay here, Clément, please. Clément...

-Annette? -I'm listening to your wife.

It's true, what your wife says. Very true.

We need to get organized. The roof. Help me, Annette.

Answer us, Jojo. I repeat.

I'm with your friend Bruno. You remember him.

He's offering to save me from my loneliness, to calm my fever,

in honor and respect of your memory.

If you accept, strike twice.

Thank you, Jojo. Thank you.

-This man will make me forget. -Well, I must be going.

There he is again. I'm just a female.

-Let's express our animal instincts. -I have to get up early.

Tomorrow, I'm going fishing at 4:00 a.m.

-But since Jojo agrees... -I forgot,

I have to help Tocanier with his curtain rods.

-Is that him? -No, it's the shutters.

-Well, OK. -Bruno!

Calm down, Bruno, calm down. Don't be upset.

-I'll take care of you. -Where are we now?

In Jojo's room. He called it "a king's dream".

In Ouargla, I slept on the terrace.

At dawn, I saw the Bedouins with their gnarled bodies and fiery eyes.

One day, I'll go back there with you.

Jojo didn't want to. He was in a rut.

He only liked it here. Give me a hug, Mohamed!

I have to leave.

Bruno, it's too late. Stay here.

Please, I'll hold your leg.

Then I'll hold you.

I love passionate people. I love passionate people...

I should have warned him.

Since you're a good friend, I'll give you some advice.

In love, you have to have the element of surprise.

-Are you sure? -Positive.

Marie-Françoise was getting on my nerves...

And me, repeating over and over: "It worked. It worked."

Are you sure Odette has really woken up?

Explain it to me. I don't get it.

Isabelle, the girl with Marie-Françoise,

who is she, exactly?

We told you, but you were dozing.

She's the replacement for Tocanier's former secretary.

-But she's not from Auvergne. -You don't get it.

She didn't want someone from Auvergne.

She chose her husband's colleagues

by their commitment to morality.

And experience? That's important.

Where did you study?

At the Loreto mission, then at the Protestant mission

-in Senegal. -All those missions, that's great.

How did you go from the Saint Louis mission in Senegal

to being a secretary?

-It was Pastor Dufoix. -Oh, Pastor Dufoix!

You know, he's an old friend of Mr. Schlumberger's family.

They're nice people. They found me a room

in a home for Protestant girls

near the house where André Gide lived.

And you still see the Schlumberger family?

Oh, yes.

On Sundays, my cousin and I sing together at the temple.

Do they care that your cousin continues practicing? I mean...

No. That's Africa, Mrs. Tocanier.

-Come on, let's go. -OK, let's go.

-I'm going to have a toothache. -Oh, no!

I forbid you to go to the dentist.

I missed the kids waking up.

Dora? But she's not here.

No, I don't know if she's coming.

They don't tell me anything around here.

Last night, there was lots of drama.

We had a fight, and I don't even know why.

And this morning, we got up by ourselves.

There was no one in the house.

Who's calling again?

Charles? You want her to call you back?

OK. Wait. I'll get a pencil.

Elodie!

What's the number?

OK, I'll tell her. Goodbye.

Dora! Dora!

What are you doing here?

We bottled the wine with Bruno.

Yesterday, we didn't finish. It's the cellar air.

Where are the girls?

Where is Martin?

And Clément?

How's it going, Casanova of the cellars?

I don't recognize him.

Olga, get used to seeing men change overnight.

And the girls? Where are the girls?

Wait.

-It's done. -What?

-Annette. -With Clément?

No, not Clément. Me.

-How is that possible? -It's heavy.

Martin...

My darling, this is really not the day.

Give me that. We're swamped.

-We're swamped. -Come on, give it to me.

Your Auvergnate has left. She's getting married.

I even think she's pregnant.

-That's your reaction? -Yes.

Annette ran away. She didn't sleep in her room.

Annette?

You're here? I wasn't expecting you. Did Annette sleep here?

She went out with us yesterday, and that's all there is to it.

-You managed to bring Emilie. -Of course.

-He's with her. -Looks that way to me.

What're you doing here?

Surprise. Aren't you going to introduce us?

Émilie, my sister. Olga, Annette.

Oh, my Clément... How handsome you are!

How are you?

-Introduce me to your friend. -Yes. Annette, my mother.

-You're Annette? -You shouldn't have come.

Dora, you have to call someone back.

-Who? -A man for your work.

-Where? -I wrote his number down.

But who is this lady?

Isabelle Nakoumenia, your new secretary.

Delighted.

Kidnapped from Gallimard. A protégé of Pastor Dufoix.

-At home, did you do everything? -Ah, the house?

-Yes, we repainted everything. -Martin!

I have three things to say to you. The first...

Ah, you're here?

Hello.

Hello.

He's like Mercury, that boy.

He's a fast one, isn't he, Jacques?

-You want to say something? -Later.

We'll talk it over with Clément.

So you're staying for the whole vacation?

Vacations are over for me.

Yes, I've written the number there. It's 422.

Go ahead, call.

But that's not the whole number.

-What are the other digits? -What's that?

"You drive me crazy.

"O betrothed, you drive me mad with a single glance,

"by a single sparkle of your necklaces."

Song of Songs 4:9.

OK, that's enough.

We're going home, come on.

Not that I'm interested, but what we have here

is a classic situation.

I know Jacques. He's a silver fox.

She's not the first babysitter he's seduced.

She won't be the last.

This one preferred Clément. I understand her.

She's a simple, healthy girl.

She's leaving. It's all become too complicated,

but classic, desperately, inevitably classic.

Clément, will I get him back?

Never forget that a rival who leaves

doesn't take her prey with her.

I'm going to leave.

Seems Clément gets himself

into even more complicated situations than you.

That's for sure.

Especially since things hadn't started well with Annette.

Why is Annette crying?

I don't know. It's really interesting.

She might have a nervous breakdown.

We'll go swimming at the beach as usual,

but we'll go to the upper pavilion.

-Like lovers? -Like respectable people.

Clytemnestra's kiss was never sweeter

than the day she stabbed him.

The bitch...

It's nice to be here together, isn't it?

Family, children, friends, the sky, and work.

Are you serious?

No. Look what I brought.

-Can I sit next to you? -Look.

I'm going for a swim.

Some days, life is complicated.

We should go out again.

We won't use bad language anymore. It's stupid.

You can't help it.

-"Stupid" isn't a bad word! -You're such pains.

Do you like them?

Marie-Françoise, they're on vacation.

Summer love is like an apprenticeship.

It's about learning the rules of love.

And in the summer, I don't feel like playing guard dog.

In summer, I...

Thinking about her?

-Who? -The girl from Auvergne.

I can't even remember what she looks like.

Good.

-Will we ever see Annette again? -No, I don't think so, darling.

It's sad when the weather's nice and someone leaves.

Yes.

She would have made a fuss. She'd gotten herself into a mess,

and with you coming...

It's good. I wouldn't have been able to work.

It would've ruined our vacation.

You know, Olga, we always empathize more

over a wasted vacation than a broken heart.

Did she also love Clément?

So did he. Look, he's like Hamlet.

If you only knew the number of women mourning me...

A real water tower.

Why are you looking at me like that?

We're not looking at you. You're looking at us.

Well, let's get to work!

-Hide me. -Bruno...

-You know how to hide, don't you? -OK.

-We're going to bury you. -Bruno, Bruno!

Clément, you'd better dig your own trench too, if Jacques arrives.

We haven't seen him in a week.

-Well, dig anyway. -That's clever.

Dora...

"My dear Clément, I'm taking the boat. I'm leaving.

"Dad is waiting for me in Paris to take me to Vancouver for work.

"I hope you find a nicer fiancée than Jacqueline,

"who's not the girl for you.

"I send you my love. Farewell to you.

"The one who could have been your Éléonore."

What region are you from, Isabelle?

-From the plains of Kilimanjaro. -Ah, the plains of Kilimanjaro...

You see, my little Clément, she sings for me.

Let's talk like men.

I bid you farewell, Clément. I'm off.

-Vacation's over? -I didn't say I was going home.

I said I was leaving. Do you know what that means?

-It means going away. -That's right. I'm going away.

You know, there's always an age when a man feels

like an orphan.

I'm off to Isabelle's country.

I long for untouched spaces, untouched savannahs.

I want to lose myself in Africa, the cradle of humanity.

I want to rediscover tribal wisdom,

endless palavering in the chiefs' hut.

I want to cut my way through the jungles

where you can hear the breath of creation.

I want my death to be announced by tam-tam drums,

not a mention in Le Monde.

I want my bones to turn white

in an elephant graveyard.

Éléonore left for Vancouver. Where are you going, Mr. Tocanier?

To Blois.

-To Blois? -To Blois.

The Loire resembles a great African river.

So? How did you do?

Oh, wonderful. Dead calm.

No waves. No waves.

I'm thirsty. Is there anything to drink?

Don't worry. The sea is rising.

In a few hours, Blackbeard will have all the water he needs.

Of course, it will be a little salty.

Here, a good luck charm.

-For me? -Yes.

How did you get that?

-A war wound? -No, it's a love wound.

Love doesn't leave scars, only memories.

I'm Sleeping Beauty.

Who is my Prince Charming?

Me, if you like.

THE SUN COMES BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR,

BUT THE PAST IS LOST FOREVER... JEAN FOLLAIN

Subtitling: TransPerfect Media