Original subtitles

This Red Sea painting is depressing.

I feel its icy waters pouring over me.

As revenge, I'll drown a pharaoh in it!

I'm looking at the Paris sky, grey with chimney smoke.

And I'm thinking of that no-good stove of ours.

It hasn't done one honest day's work.

Because it never gets fed!

Rodolfo, I'll share a profound thought.

I'm freezing cold!

Marcello, I'm not exactly sweating myself!

My fingers are cold as an iceberg.

As cold as Musetta's heart!

Love is a stove that burns too fiercely.

- Man is the fuel. - And woman is the spark.

He burns up in a flash.

And she stands by watching!

- Meanwhile, we're freezing. - And dying of hunger.

We need a fire.

Let's sacrifice this chair!

- Eureka! - A better idea?

Let inspiration burst into flame!

- Burn the Red Sea? - No, paint stinks.

My passionate drama will warm us.

You'll read it? How horrible!

No, its ashes will fly up to the heavens.

We'll lose a work of genius, but we'll save two geniuses!

Start with the first act.

What a merry flame.

Judgment Day is here.

It's Christmas Eve and the pawnshops are closed!

Quiet, my drama is on.

- I find it scintillating. - Lively!

- But so short. - Brevity is the soul of wit.

Author, give me your chair.

These intermissions can kill you!

The second act.

Don't make a sound.

- What profound thoughts! - And so colorful!

A passionate love scene is going up in smoke.

How it crackles.

Those were kisses.

I want to hear all three acts at once.

- How daring! - A glorious funeral pyre!

- Oh, the flame's already dying. - A fragile drama!

It's shriveling, crumbling, dying.

Down with the author!

Firewood! Cigars! Bordeaux!

Divine destiny brings us a feast.

I broke the bank of France for you.

Whose face do you see?

King Louis Philippe! We bow to His Majesty.

These coins...

...have a noble history.

An English lord was seeking a musician.

Set the table! Light the fire!

I introduced myself. He hired me.

I asked, "When do we start?"

"When do we start the lessons?"

The Englishman says, "Straight away!"

Then he points to a parrot, and says...

"Play until that bird dies."

I used my charm and good looks.

And I won over the servant girl.

What a spread!

We poisoned some parsley.

Pretty Polly spread her wings.

Pretty Polly opened her beak.

A little parsley...

...and she died like Socrates!

The devil with all of you!

No, these delicacies must be saved for the future...

...for some darker, gloomier time.

Why should we dine home on Christmas Eve...

...when the Latin Quarter is bursting with delights!

With sausages and tasty tidbits!

Delicious aromas pervade the ancient streets.

Young girls are merrily singing.

It's Christmas Eve!

Have some religion, gentlemen!

We drink at home...

...but we dine out!

- Who is it? - Benoit!

The landlord!

Nobody's home!

We're closed!

Just one word....

Rent!

Get the man a chair.

You owe me for three months.

Have a sip.

To your health!

You promised to pay the last three months' rent.

I'll keep my promise.

(Are you crazy?)

Now keep us company a moment.

Tell us how old you are...

...my dear Mr. Benoit.

You're our age, more or less?

Much more!

Well, he said, more or less.

The other night, they caught him sinning in a tavern. Making love!

Yes, the other night. You deny it?

- With a pretty woman. - Very!

You rascal! You seducer!

He's a stallion! A cannon!

He's still in his prime.

A regular Don Juan.

I'm old, but strong.

I was shy when I was young. Now I'm making up for it.

I like a plump, lively woman.

Not as round as a whale, or a milk cow...

...or a full moon!

But not thin...not skinny.

Skinny women worry a lot.

Most are a nuisance.

And they're always complaining...

...like my wife!

This married man lusts after other women!

He corrupts our respectable home!

Leave at once, sir!

And good evening, Your Lordship!

That paid the rent!

We're off to Café Momus.

We'll share my fortune.

Heavenly beauties await us there.

Now that you're rich, look decent.

You bear! Get your fur trimmed.

I'll make my first acquaintance with a barber.

Lead me to his absurd, ridiculous razor.

I'll stay and finish my article for "The Beaver."

It'll take me five minutes.

We'll wait for you downstairs.

Cut your beaver's tail short!

Be careful of the stairs. It's pitch dark.

Colline, are you dead?

Not yet!

Come quickly.

I'm not in the mood.

A woman....

Excuse me, my candle went out.

- Come in for a minute. - There's no need.

Please, I insist.

Do you feel ill?

No...it's nothing.

I'm just out of breath. It's those stairs.

Now what do I do?

She looks so pale, so ill.

Feeling better?

It's so cold here. Come sit by the fire.

A little wine?

(What a lovely creature!)

Please light my candle now. I'm better.

You're in such a hurry?

Now where did I leave my room key?

Don't stand in the doorway. The draft will blow out your candle.

Mine went out, too!

Where can my key be?

What a bothersome neighbor I am.

I'm causing you so much trouble.

Please, it's nothing at all.

- Look for the key. - I will.

Found it?

- I thought you did. - So did I.

What a cold little hand.

Let me warm it for you.

There's no sense looking in the dark.

Luckily, there's a full moon tonight.

And the moon will keep us company.

So wait, miss.

Let me tell you in a few words...

...who I am.

And what I do...and how I live.

Who am I? I'm a poet.

What do I do? I write.

And how do I live?

I live!

I'm poor, but happy...

...and as extravagant as a lord.

For I'm rich in the rhymes of love.

With my fantasies and castles in the air...

I have the soul of a millionaire!

But now, all my treasure has been robbed...

...robbed by two thieves, two lovely eyes.

Tonight, they came in with you...

...and stole away my dreams.

All my past dreams floated away in air.

But the theft doesn't bother me.

Because the empty space has been filled by the sweetest hope.

Now that you know something about me...

...tell me about yourself.

Tell me who you are.

Would you tell me, please?

They call me Mimi...

...but my real name is Lucia.

My story is simple.

I embroider silks and satins.

I have a happy, peaceful life...

...making lilies and roses.

I love those flowers.

They have a sweet magic about them.

They speak of love.

They speak of spring.

They speak of dreams and fancies...

...of all the things called poetry.

Do you understand me?

They call me Mimi.

I don't know why.

I'm alone. I eat by myself.

I don't always go to church.

But I often pray to the Lord.

I live all alone...

...there in my little white room...

...that looks across the rooftops...

...at the sky.

But when springtime comes...

...the first rays of sunshine are mine.

The first kiss of April is mine.

A rose blossoms in a vase.

I breathe in its perfume, petal by petal.

How sweet its fragrance is!

Not like the flowers I make.

My flowers have no perfume at all.

I don't know what else to say about myself.

I'm just a neighbor...

...who's disturbing you at this late hour.

Only three more lines!

They're my friends.

What are you doing there all alone?

I'm not alone.

There are two of us.

Get a table at Café Momus. Save us a place.

We're discreet, so off we go!

He's found his poem!

Sweet girl...

...your lovely face is bathed in soft moonlight.

In you, I've found what I've always dreamed of.

Let love alone rule my heart.

My soul trembles with love.

What sweet enchantment.

You are mine!

Your friends are waiting.

Are you sending me away?

I don't dare say what I'd like to do.

What if I came with you?

It would be sweet to stay here.

It's cold outside.

I'll stay close to you.

- And afterwards? - Who knows?

Take my arm, my little darling.

At your orders, sir!

Tell me you love me.

I do love you.

My love!

Buy our oranges! Roasted chestnuts! Chocolate kisses!

What a holiday crowd! What confusion!

This horn's out of tune. How much?

Can we buy a bonnet?

I'll stay close to you.

I'll pour out my heart to you beauties.

Which delightful girl wants a little love?

Let's strike a bargain. I'll sell, you'll buy.

For a penny, I'll sell my virgin heart!

A rare book...an ancient grammar.

- Mimi, our friends are waiting. - Does this bonnet suit me?

The color goes well with your hair.

Oh, what a lovely coral necklace.

I have an uncle who's a millionaire.

God willing, I'll soon buy you a more beautiful necklace.

- Let's follow the crowd. - What an uproar!

So much noise! So many people!

You're flirting?

Such a vulgar crowd!

- You're jealous? - A man in love always is.

Then you're in love?

Very much so!

- And you? - Very much so.

Buy your Christmas toys from Parpignol!

Two more chairs...here we are.

This is Mimi. She embroiders flowers.

She completes our happy circle.

Because although I am a poet...

...she is poetry itself.

Just as songs pour from my mind...

...flowers blossom under her fingers.

And in our happy hearts love blossoms, too!

Such an original concept!

A worthy presentation.

She passes my inspection!

I have no reservations.

Buy wonderful toys from Parpignol!

I want a trumpet and a toy horse!

Roast venison! And wine of the house.

You naughty children! What are you doing out so late?

Come home to bed or you'll get a spanking!

I want a horn and a toy horse!

Nothing but the best. We have a lady with us.

What rare gift did Rodolfo give you?

This lovely pink embroidered bonnet.

It goes well with my dark hair.

I've longed for this bonnet for months.

And he read what was in my heart.

Anyone who can read the heart's secrets knows what love is.

He's a true professor.

And his love poems are his diplomas.

Sometimes what he writes even seems true!

Oh, lovely first moments of false utopia.

You believe, you hope, and the world seems beautiful.

The most divine of all poems...

...is the one that teaches us to love.

Love is sweeter than honey.

According to me, it's poison!

- Did I offend him? - He's mourning a lost love.

Let's cheer up. A toast!

Fill my glass!

Away with all troubles! Let's drink!

Just bring me arsenic!

Oh, Musetta's back!

And she's struck it rich!

Eat here in the open? No!

And don't be so brazen in public.

Don't act like Bluebeard!

Chastity herself!

- A beautiful dress. - The angels go naked!

- Her name is Musetta. - (Marcello's watching me.)

Her last name is Temptation!

She changes her lovers as often as her clothes!

(Marcello can't ignore me. I'll get him back!)

(But I have to get rid of this old bore.)

She eats hearts.

That's why I don't have one anymore!

Waiter, these plates are dirty!

Enough is enough.

I'll do exactly as I please!

I want to do as I please!

(Can Marcello still be jealous?)

(Let's see if I still have Marcello in my power.)

What a stupendous performance!

You're not looking at me.

I'm looking at the menu.

A stupendous performance!

If you behaved like that, I'd never forgive you.

I love you, and I'm completely yours.

(Marcello pretends he doesn't care.)

You're wild about me!

When I stroll along...

...when I stroll along the street all alone...

...people stop and stare.

They're enraptured by my beauty.

They can't help admiring me...

...from head to toe!

Tie me to my chair!

What will people say?

I savor the desire burning in their eyes.

Clearly they long to enjoy...

...my hidden charms, as well!

They feel a wave of ardent longing.

How happy that makes me!

What a revolting song!

You who know and remember me...

...how you suffer!

She still loves him.

You try not to show your anguish.

But you'd die for me!

Marcello loved her, but she ran off to a richer life.

Protect me from women!

(Marcello is wild about me.)

(Marcello is mine!)

He'll give in to her once again.

(Marcello still loves me. I've won.)

(He'd die for me!)

I'll do exactly as I please!

It's time to get rid of this bore.)

The pain is killing me!

Where?

My foot....

Love and youth, you are still alive!

I'm in love again!

Go buy me new shoes!

The last act!

The bill! So soon?

Who asked for it?

Expensive. Get out your money.

Nothing left!

We spent my whole fortune?

Give me my bill.

Add these two bills together.

The man who was with me will pay.

The gentleman will pay!

I'll leave him these bills as my farewell gift!

The parade's coming.

The old fool will never find us in this crowd!

Guards, open up!

We're the street sweepers from Gentilly.

It's snowing...and we're freezing out here!

Some find pleasure in a glass of wine.

Others find love on burning lips.

There's pleasure in wine...

...but in young kisses, there's love!

Here come the farm women.

Butter and cheese....

Chickens and eggs....

We'll meet at St. Michael's market at noon.

Is that the inn where a painter is working?

Good woman, would you do me a favor?

Would you find the painter Marcello?

I need to talk to him. It's urgent.

Tell him Mimi is waiting.

I was hoping to find you here.

We've been here a month as guests of the innkeeper.

Musetta teaches songs to the guests.

And I'm painting some warriors at the entrance.

It's cold. Come inside.

Rodolfo is there?

Then I can't go in.

Dear Marcello, help me!

I know Rodolfo loves me.

Yet he's always leaving me.

He's consumed by jealousy.

A step, a word, even a glance...

...makes him suspicious.

And he flies into a fury.

Sometimes, at night, I pretend to sleep.

And I sense him trying to spy on my dreams!

He shouts at me constantly.

"You're not the woman for me!"

"Take another lover!"

I know it's his jealousy speaking.

But what should I answer, Marcello?

When two people are unhappy, they shouldn't live together.

You're right. We should leave each other.

Help us. We've tried so many times.

Musetta and I just live and let live.

You're right. We should leave each other.

Help us do what's best.

I'll wake him now.

He's asleep?

He stumbled in before dawn and collapsed on a bench.

What a cough!

I've been exhausted since yesterday.

He left me last night saying, "This is the end."

So this morning I started out to find you.

He's getting up now. He's looking for me.

He must not see me.

Go home now, Mimi, please.

It won't help to make a scene.

Marcello, finally!

I want to leave Mimi!

You're so fickle?

I thought our love affair was dead and buried.

But it started up again at the sight of her lovely eyes.

Now boredom has killed it.

So you want to bury it again?

Unhappy love affairs are only for madmen.

If love doesn't laugh and sparkle, it grows stale.

- You're jealous. - A little.

You're a raving maniac! Eaten by suspicion.

Annoying, pig-headed!

(He'll only make Rodolfo angry.)

Mimi is an outrageous flirt.

She leads on every man she sees.

The latest is a silly viscount who's pursuing her.

She lures him on...

...with provocative gestures and promises.

I don't think you're being honest with me.

You're right, I'm not.

I'm trying to hide what's really torturing me.

I love Mimi more than anything in the world.

But I'm terrified.

Mimi is seriously ill.

She grows weaker every day.

The poor darling is doomed.

(What is he saying?)

She has violent fits of coughing...

...that wrack her frail body.

Her cheeks are flushed with fever.

(Am I dying?)

My room is like a squalid cave. There's no heat.

The wind howls through the place...

...like a hurricane!

She sings, she laughs.

And I'm destroyed by guilt.

Living with me... will only hasten her death!

What will you do?

(Ah, my life....)

Mimi is a fragile flower.

Poverty is killing her.

To bring her back to life...

...my love isn't enough!

Mimi, you're here?

You heard me?

I was exaggerating. I always get worked up over nothing.

Come inside where it's warm.

Musetta's laughing! With whom?

That flirt! I'll teach her!

Are you leaving me?

Your love called me to a happy life.

Now Mimi goes back alone...

...to her lonely nest.

Back to weaving make-believe flowers.

Let's part as friends.

Put together the few things I left behind.

You'll find a little gold ring and my prayer book.

Wrap them in a bundle.

I'll send someone for them.

Under the pillow...

...you'll find my pink bonnet.

If you like, keep it as a souvenir of my love.

Let's part as friends.

So it's really over.

You're leaving me, my darling.

Farewell to our dreams of love.

Farewell, sweet mornings, waking up with you.

- Farewell to joy in life. - And to doubts and jealousy...

...that one smile from you could calm.

Farewell to suspicions.

And kisses.

And harsh bitterness.

True poet that I am...

...I rhyme it with "caress."

It's like death to be alone in winter!

When springtime comes...

...we'll have the cheerful sun to keep us company.

You're flirting again!

No one feels alone in April.

You're blushing!

The man only asked, "Shall we dance, miss?"

I blushed and said, "I could dance all night!"

You're not honest!

I want my freedom!

I'll teach you a thing or two!

I can't stand lovers who act like...

...husbands!

I am yours forever.

I'm leaving. Good night, sir!

- You house-painter! - You viper.

- Bullfrog! - Witch!

I am yours for all my life.

We won't leave each other until the season of flowers.

I wish the winter...

...would last forever.

We won't leave each other...

...until the season of flowers.

There she was with footmen and horses.

"Musetta," I said, "how can you feel your heart beat..."

..."under all that velvet?"

I'm delighted to hear it.

(Faker! You're sick at heart.)

"All that velvet..." Good!

- Guess who I saw. - Musetta?

Mimi.

You saw her? Oh, really?

She was in a carriage, dressed like a queen.

- Glad to hear it. - (Liar. You're dying of love.)

Let's work.

This pen is abominable!

So is this brush!

Mimi, you're not coming back.

Ah, lovely, lost days....

Your little hands, your perfumed hair....

I don't understand what my paintbrush is doing.

It keeps blending colors in spite of me.

Ah, lovely, lost days....

I try to paint the sky, the earth...

...the winter or the spring.

But all I see are two dark eyes...

...and a provocative mouth.

And then Musetta's face appears again.

The little pink bonnet you left under the pillow....

My heart yearns for her.

How happy we were.

Come back, console my aching heart.

Come, my heart yearns for you.

- What time is it? - Time for yesterday's dinner!

A dish worthy of a king! A herring!

A banquet fit for royalty!

Put the champagne on ice!

Baron, do you prefer trout or salmon?

Duke, how about some parrot tongue?

Too fattening. This evening I'm attending a ball.

I must run. The king is waiting for me.

- What does that mean? - A mystery.

The king has asked me to join his cabinet.

However, I have to think it over.

- Give me a goblet. - I'm guzzling!

Now if this noble company will permit me....

I'm inspired by the irresistible muse of poetry.

Then something choreographic?

A dance with vocal accompaniment.

Clear the hall!

- A gavotte. - A minuet!

A fandango!

I propose a quadrille.

Your hand, Miss....

Lovely damsel....

Respect my modesty.

- The wrong step! - You beast!

Such revolting manners!

You insult me, sir. My sword!

I'll drink your blood!

One of us must die!

Get a stretcher ready!

Get his grave ready!

Mimi is here...she's ill.

She's too weak to climb the stairs.

Come, have something to drink.

Quiet...just rest.

Oh, my dear Rodolfo....

Do you want me here with you?

Always!

I heard that Mimi had left the viscount...

...and was near death.

I searched and searched.

Just now, I saw her on the street...

...barely able to stand.

She told me, "I won't last long."

"I'm dying."

I want to die near him. Perhaps he's waiting for me."

I feel much better.

"Take me to him, Musetta."

Let me look around a little.

It's so wonderful to be here again.

Now I'll recover!

I feel my strength returning.

Is there anything in the house?

Nothing. Only poverty.

(She won't last a half hour.)

I'm so cold.

If only I had a muff for my hands.

Won't these hands of mine ever be warm?

I'll warm your hands in mine.

Don't talk. Don't tire yourself.

It's only a little cough. I'm used to it.

Hello, Marcello...

...Schaunard and Colline.

All of you are here...

...smiling at Mimi.

Marcello, believe me...

...Musetta is so kind.

I know, I know.

Sell my earrings and buy medicine.

And get a doctor.

- Now rest. - You're not leaving me?

This may be the poor girl's last request.

I'll buy her a muff.

I'll go with you.

How kind you are, dear Musetta.

Old coat, listen to me...

...I'm staying behind, but you'll go on to greater heights.

I give you my thanks.

You never bowed your tattered back...

...to the rich and powerful.

In your large pockets...

...as in snug caverns, you have sheltered precious works...

...works of philosophers and poets.

Now those happy days are over.

I say farewell to you, my faithful friend.

Let's each, in our different ways...

...perform an act of mercy together.

I'll go sell this.

And you, leave those two by themselves.

Philosopher, you're right.

They've left?

I was only pretending to sleep...

...because I wanted to be alone with you.

I have so many things I want to tell you.

Or rather, only one, but one as immense as the sea.

Like the sea, deep and unending.

You are my love and my life.

My beautiful Mimi!

Am I still beautiful?

As beautiful as the dawn.

You chose the wrong image.

You should have said...

...as beautiful as the sunset.

"They call me Mimi."

"I don't know why."

My little swallow has come home to her nest.

My bonnet!

Do you remember the first time I came here?

My candle had gone out.

You were so upset.

And then you lost your key.

And you knelt down to look for it.

Now you can admit it.

You found it sooner than you had pretended.

I was helping fate.

It was dark. You couldn't see me blushing.

"What a cold little hand."

"Let me warm it for you."

It was dark. You took my hand in yours.

It's nothing. I'm fine.

Please don't talk.

Forgive me. I'll be good.

She's resting.

I saw the doctor. He's coming.

Meanwhile, take this.

It's me...Musetta.

How lovely and soft this is.

Now my hands won't be blue with cold.

The warmth will make them pretty again.

You bought this for me?

Such a spendthrift....

It must have been expensive.

Why are you crying?

I'm better.

My love...

...always with you....

My hands...

...so warm now.

I'll sleep....

The doctor's on his way?

Blessed Madonna, have mercy on this poor girl.

Don't let her die.

The flame is flickering.

Help her get well, Blessed Madonna.

I'm not worthy of your pardon.

But Mimi is an angel from heaven.

I still have hope. It's not serious?

(Marcello, she's dead.)

This is for you.

Look, she's asleep.

Why are you turning away?

Why look at me like that?

Courage!