WE WON'T GROW OLD TOGETHER
I don't like your flat. It gets me down.
It's no different than your parents' place.
That's not true. There you feel people love each other.
Here it's clear you've never done anything to work things out.
It's dead...
...there's just no life.
That's not how you used to feel.
I know.
My first time here, three years ago...
...is my best memory of you.
You obviously don't even remember it.
Do you?
- Coffee? - What?
- Would you like a coffee? - No, thanks.
Bread and butter?
Do you want some bread and butter?
- No? - Don't tempt me. You know what I'm like.
No, I'm not hungry.
Do you want some bread and butter?
- You're very insistent. - Have some bread and butter.
Ow! Now I've burnt myself!
- You've an appetite first thing. - Yes.
I'm a force of nature.
What are you doing?
I'm off. I'm fed up of being here.
I can't do anything. I can't even go up to the window.
I can't wait around for the nighttime.
I'm just asking you not to go parading around on the balcony...
...making a fool of Françoise in front of the neighbours.
- The sun's out. I'm going for a walk. - Good for you.
- I didn't see you. - I've been waiting an hour.
Well, look at all the people.
- So, where now? - We're off to Camargue.
Oh, fantastic!
I met the guys from Pathé, they said 70,000 a week.
That's not bad at all. It's a lot, 70,000!
Yes, but remember it's only a few weeks.
Well, I'm very happy.
- Jean, it's almost six. - And?
My parents will be here soon.
Are they staying in our hotel? How boring...
Oh, come on, we'll just take them to dinner, it would be too pricey.
What did I tell you, here they come now.
Hello, dear.
Hello.
- Hi, Jean, how's things? - Hi, how are you?
- What's up with you? - I've got a bad foot.
We were at some bull run, tried acting tough and took a few knocks.
And what's that bruise above your eye?
Oh, nothing, just a little knock.
- A little bruise, that's all. - Right.
So, how do you like Camargue?
- We're a bit disappointed, aren't we? - Yes.
Tourists should go off the beaten track. We're heading back, will you join us?
That's kind, but we wouldn't want to impose.
Not at all, I'm filming in any case, you can take her for a walk.
It'll give me a break from her.
- We'll be hampering their work. - Yes, okay.
This guy is good.
The problem with the bouillabaisse is all the bones.
Well, you should have just got noodles then.
Oh, excuse me...
I can't, I'm using both my hands.
Well, that was average.
- Did you hear that? - What a nerve!
Did you hear that?
- Do you want anymore? - No, I'm fine.
- What about you? - No, I'm okay, thanks.
It's delicious.
Are you staying long here?
Just till I finish my bouillabaisse, and then...
No, I mean for the filming. You're always joking.
Oh, three or four days. Are you staying here?
No, no. We're in a small hotel by Lavandou.
Castellet.
Oh, wasn't there some paedophilia scandal there?
- Absolutely not! - Of course, that was Nid du Butard.
There's a race track, but...
- Are we out of rosé? - Just as I thought.
Could we have more rosé, please?
You're right, it is good.
Don't hold the mic there! You're in my way, are you stupid?
How am I to know what you're filming?
- Damn it, I'd be faster on my own! - Watch it, you'll hit me!
He's angry. What a short temper...
Well, if I have to supervise you...
Right, stop the camera. Give me that, you're pissing me off!
Clear off, out of my sight! Go on, piss off! Clear off!
She was winding me up, just leave me alone!
- Stop hitting me with that thing then! - Piss off!
I nearly fell over.
What's wrong with her?
That idiot shoved me from behind.
- She was pushing me. - Come on, hurry up.
I told you you wouldn't like it.
I was waiting for you, I've no money for the train.
You know where the money is.
Thanks.
Go on, off you go.
Well go on then!
Just get out, will you! Out!
- I knew you'd be here. - I missed my train.
Whatever... Three have left since you got here.
But they weren't express trains.
- Well, shall we go then? - Yes. My bag's at left luggage.
Have you already taken off your knickers?
Stop talking nonsense.
You have, you've taken off your knickers!
- Come and see for yourself. - Lt's no big deal. I've seen it all before.
Stop. Stop it!
Do I have to do it myself?
Saved by the storm!
Now then, let's get these knickers off.
Nicely done.
- Come on! - Right, I'm getting out, I'm hungry.
I'm one of the best in the world.
- Lt's true, I tell you. - Ln second place after me.
We're going to struggle to get out of this.
Where have you been? I never know where you are?
I told you, I was filming in the south.
- When did you arrive? - Yesterday.
So, tell me about Russia.
It's was good. I really enjoyed myself.
It wouldn't have been so bad to stay there.
You know... what I like about Russians...
...is that while they're not romantic...
...sentiment is of utmost importance to them.
So when you're with someone...
...who likes you...
...he won't once leave your side.
Not for one night, two nights, ten days. They were so kind to me.
I was the only French girl. Everywhere I went I was given gifts.
It was really good. Here, I find...
...people are a bit cynical. They're too afraid of ridicule.
Well, you are, aren't you?
Over there, they aren't ashamed to say...
...that the sky is blue, that it's beautiful, that a girl is pretty.
That's what they told me, that I was krasivaià.
It means "pretty".
But you just always mock me.
I can get by in Russian now.
What does that mean, by Srachmaninoff?
They told me I was "smishnaia" because of my accent.
- Lt means "funny". - Ls that so?
Well, and I could tell you that spending a few weeks with you...
...they'd never see what a pain you are after ten years.
Eleven, my dear.
Look, it's pretty isn't it?
- Lt's a flower, right? - Lt's a magnolia.
- Pretty, isn't it? - Did you pick it?
No, it was given to me.
It was so hard to take it on my journeys. It's too big for a suitcase.
On the plane, no one knew what it was.
Well it doesn't look like a flower, does it?
- Lt looks like a basket of veg. - Oh, you're always such a romantic.
Especially when you're here with me.
Well I'm off to bed. I have to be up early in the morning. Good night, sweetheart.
Don't be too late to bed, will you?
- Did I wake you? - Shall I take you to the station?
No, thanks, I'm going with the neighbour from downstairs.
Did you get your money back from Pathé?
- Yes. - And?
- Lt went fine. - Wasn't the receptionist a bit cold?
Just a bit.
Mind you, they're not gonna like what we've got for them.
Why are we doing this?
And what's more, I'm skint after all that money I spent on your parents.
Oh, come on, don't push it.
You invited them yourself, and they only stayed two days.
- What are you gonna do now? - I don't know.
Aren't you going back to office work?
- I don't know. - Right, you don't know.
You've only ever looked for office work in the six years we've been together.
When I was looking, I went round all the areas of Paris.
Why don't you look for something more interesting?
No. You just sit there, spineless, waiting.
It's always the same, every time I try helping.
I try getting you into cinema and as usual, nothing done.
Nothing interests you, you're just lazy.
You just watch everything pass you by.
You just like being the cover girl.
A cover girl, with your nose and freckles!
You're too short and too ugly!
So get it into your head to find something interesting but not in that area.
You've never succeeded in anything and you never will.
And you know why? Because you're vulgar, irreparably so.
And on top of that, you're ordinary.
All your life you'll just be a concierge's daughter.
Fine, look at me like that. It won't change anything.
You make me think of fantastic girls I've known.
I should have stayed with them.
I really do wonder what I'm doing with you.
I stay with you out of pity I suppose, nothing more.
You've been clinging onto me for six years.
You have no drive, no courage.
Your only point of pride is your mediocrity.
I'm ruining my life by being with you.
Completely ruining my life!
You can't see I've had enough of you, can you?
You can't see this has gone on too long.
You can't see that I just want you to clear off.
So do me a favour, please, clear off.
Clear off, clear off to England, at least that might teach you something.
I really don't give a damn about you anymore.
Your hands are freezing.
Is your mind made up this time? Is it really over?
Isn't it like the other times?
It's finished between us? You've made up your mind?
Yes, it's finished.
What are you going to do?
Go home.
Oh, look who it is.
I don't know how you can put up with it.
Oh, don't sulk.
It's your dad. I just hope he doesn't snap...
...the way he spoke to him in Camargue.
- Hello. - Come on up.
- Hello. - Hello.
- Alright? - Hello, Jean.
So, yesterday evening, Michel and Annie came to dinner.
They asked me to go on holiday with them...
...but I said no.
I knew you'd come back.
You should have gone, it would have done you good.
And why are your parents blanking me?
In Camargue I thought we hit it off.
- You think everyone hates you. - Your dad just gave me a look...
- You're making things up. - Right.
I wouldn't mind relaxing at my gran's place in Saint-Prat for a week.
- But I'd rather go alone. Do you mind? - No.
So what will you do?
Me? Well... l'll go and see my father.
How is he? Do you have any news?
He must be drinking again, because he doesn't write, which is a bad sign.
I'd have liked to come with you, but it'll have to be another time.
- Bye then. - Wait.
- What is it? - A present.
- Lt's so pretty! - You like it?
Well then, see you.
And don't show up, okay!
Really, I want to take it easy.
You're not gonna get bored. They like you.
Don't forget what I told you, okay.
This train's never gonna leave.
- How are you? - Hello, Jean.
Oh, I'm happy to see you. You should have let me know.
I wasn't expecting you.
- You okay? - Yes, how about you?
Yes, well, so-so.
- Are you hungry? - No, I ate on the way up.
You look well.
There's a letter for you.
From Catherine?
She's nuts, she told me not to visit but invites me to her birthday.
Really?
Right. I'm going to my room.
Is this for me?
- Oh, you're kind... - lt's for you to shave.
"Tonique".
Tomorrow then, I'll shave tomorrow.
Where did you find these?
The old man brings them to me. I can't walk anymore.
You remember with Rachel's mother, we used to come back with bags full.
That's all over now. These days the boys from...
...Michelin who come down from Clermont on Sundays...
...in their cars. I can't stand it anymore.
It's awful, it's all over now.
What are you looking for?
- Do you want a glass? - Oh, no thanks, I don't drink anymore.
- Just water. - Oh?
There's nothing wrong with a glass or two here and there...
...not even two litres a week. Nowhere near.
And this is just to clink glasses, okay?
- Any news from Françoise? - She's in Russia again.
- Does she like it there? - Yes, I think so.
I received a letter.
I asked her to send me stamps, she must receive foreign ones there.
That would be good, wouldn't it?
Listen, about mum...
Her wedding ring. Would you give it to me?
I'd like to give it to Catherine.
Of course, my boy, of course.
You know I'll give you anything I can.
I'll give it to you with pleasure, but I hope you won't sell it.
- No, of course. - Okay then.
- Well then, I'll see you. - Goodbye.
You should stay a bit longer.
I'd like to, but I have things to do, people expecting me.
- Well, don't lose touch. - Don't worry, I'll write.
Goodbye then. You're a good lad, you know.
Bye now.
Safe journey.
- Take care. - Yes.
- Hello, madame. - Hello, Jean.
- Are you okay? - Okay.
Catherine's gone on a picnic with friends and the baker's daughter.
- Have you eaten? - Yes, on the way up.
- You've got a nice place here. - Nice?
That would be great.
I bought this house for the children, and they never come.
Except Catherine the odd time.
- Michel? - Oh, Michel?
- Well, he's at that age. - That may well be.
But his dad. He bought a car. Does he really need a car...
...when he gets free train tickets working for SNCF?
- Well, a car's more practical. - But the station's next door!
- You're not the only person he visits. - You could say that.
I had this huge house built to have them over to visit...
...and now they're always down on the Riviera, flashing their money around.
That lot, they just think of their car, their holidays...
Oh, he's a good bloke. I'm sure he loves you.
That's a good one! You know what he told me recently?
He said, "You old people,
"one day you'll die with your mouth open [la gueule ouverte]. "
Well, I'm going to bed.
Catherine should be back soon.
- You know where the key is? - Yes, I'll wait here.
- Good night then. - Good night.
- Don't you have a key? - I couldn't open it.
Leave me alone.
Where have you been? Did you walk back?
I had a lift back to the level crossing.
I never know when you might show up.
- At five in the morning? - Why not?
- With the baker's daughter? - So what? What's it to you?
You shouldn't have done that.
I'll never forgive you.
Idiot.
- I'm getting milk, Grandma. - Okay.
Why are you doing that?
Your grandmother won't stop saying no one ever does it.
Oh, well, that's okay then.
Good morning, sir.
- Hello, miss. - Have a nice ride.
They're all dry, aren't they?
I'll plant beans next year. You get much more out of them.
Cement it over, less work all round.
Cement brings dishonour on a garden!
- I'm going to do a bit of cleaning. - Right, okay.
They're prettier like that.
I'll clear this up when I'm back.
- As always, yes. - I want to enjoy the sunshine.
- Do you want something to drink. - Leave me be. Go on, move it.
- What time's your mum arriving? - Her train gets in around six.
25 years.
You won't celebrate St. Catherine's but you'll soak your singleton status in that.
If you just want to be nasty, you shouldn't have come.
If it wasn't worth inviting me...
...then why did you do what you did to me last night?
Goodbye.
Well I'm off, I don't want to see your mum.
Okay, I'll come a bit of the way with you.
Well?
I'll call you as soon as I get back to Paris.
- When do you get back? - Ln a few days.
Bye, then.
It's beautiful.
It's beautiful, but...
- You don't love me anymore. - Yes, I do.
I love you less than before.
Since when?
It just happened, bit by bit.
Come on, stop being silly. Have dinner with us.
I forgot to give you this just now.
Come on, join us.
What's wrong?
They're asking what's going on.
Don't stay here like this. Either come in, or go.
You're right.
You'll phone?
I promise.
There's no rush, the place isn't on fire.
I know, but... I'm off now.
- By bus? - Yes, that's right.
- Oh, what fun. - Yes, that's right.
- You're going red again. - Oh, stop it, you and your charm.
- When did you get back. - This morning.
What shall we do then? We're not staying here are we?
I came to tell you it's over between us.
You told me the same before I went to Saint Prat.
I've thought about it carefully.
- You've thought about it carefully? - Yes.
Sod off.
Go on, sod off!
If you change your mind, call me. I'm here all week.
- Yes. - Jean.
Yes, what do you want?
I called to tell you that it's like it used to be.
When do you want to see me? Tonight?
No, tonight I can't. How about tomorrow?
We could go away for the weekend if you like?
Yes, okay.
Tomorrow at three? I've got to go to the dentist.
- Hello, you. - How are you?
It's great, it's a lovely day.
- Where shall we go? - I don't know.
How about the seaside?
- Ls this okay? - Well, it's a room.
Yes, but it looks out over the harbour.
- Lt's too noisy. - Lt's just a plane flying over, that's all.
What?
I'm allowed to look at the view, aren't I?
Look, they're setting up a dance.
Oh great, that won't make any noise either.
You'll have to buy some earplugs.
Let yourself go!
Shall we go dancing again tomorrow?
You'll have to show me.
You'll have to learn for the others.
Look, not tonight.
I'm tired, and I'll have to get up afterwards. You understand?
Jean! Are you crazy!
You're crazy!
What are you doing out here?
Don't play with me like this.
Why do you care? If you hadn't come out you wouldn't know I was here.
Are you staying out here? You never do as you say.
I'll leave when I feel like it.
Why don't you go and sleep?
- You've left the light on up there. - I can't.
I'm scared when I'm alone.
Shall we go for a swim?
Oh no, I'm not putting on my bikini, it's too cold.
We'd only have to go over there.
I'm not in the mood.
I've wanted to go for ages.
Why don't we take an apartment at Gare du Maine?
I've seen a place that's not bad.
And I'll come and sew your buttons.
I'd have to warn you, in case you're with other girls.
If you got married
I'd come and annoy you.
Well, you're going to get married too.
You never wanted to celebrate St. Catherine.
Yes.
You're right, I will get married.
We should see each other less often.
Not every day, anyway. I want to be free.
I want...
I want to go out on the weekend...
...and I want you to stop coming to my parents' place.
Well, shall we go for a walk?
No... I just don't feel like it.
Good morning Miss Catherine.
- So, were you looking for me then? - No, why?
I saw you looking around, anxiously.
I was worried you'd be here, that's all.
So, wearing a miniskirt to work now? Showing off those ratty thighs.
I'd keep them well hidden if I were you.
So, I'm off to Henri's place this weekend for a photo shoot. He's paying me.
- You're still seeing Henri? - Yes.
You go ahead, do that, you're like the girl from that trailer for Fluche...
...or Cash or Cloosh or whatever it was, we never watched that.
I'm leaving in the morning, but I'm going to his place this evening.
He's asked me to dinner. He lives in Normandy but has a little house in Paris.
You're going like that, no luggage?
My bag's at the office. Henri's going to pick it up.
Hitting the roads on the weekend, that's a really clever idea.
Very wise.
He's got a 2CV that does 40 miles an hour.
Bored to death with that lot all weekend, for a grand.
You'd be best off staying with me.
I need to take it easy, and I like photography.
Right, I'll come with you. Where does this Henri live?
Near the town hall in the 15th, but I'd prefer to take the métro.
And anyway, you don't like driving in traffic jams.
Right, there's the town hall. Bye now.
- See you Monday, for the shooting? - Yes.
Oh, no!
What do you want now? I don't like you following me like a dog.
I just want to take you a bit of the way.
What harm can that do?
Well hurry up. I'm in a rush.
The town hall's that way.
No, that's rue Blomet. I don't want to pass Annie's place.
Why not? You've not argued have you?
I thought she was on holiday with Michel?
I just don't want to go past her place, that's all.
Right. Bye.
You know where you are now?
Of course I do, it's just behind there.
I'll recognise it. I don't like seeing you miserable like this.
The new winter fashion is ugly.
Did you think about me?
No. No, I didn't think about you.
Right.
What did you get up to?
I went to Vincennes and lost four grand.
It landed on the 4 five times in a row.
After the third time, everyone changed except me.
Did you go fishing for shrimps?
Not a chance! It poured down all weekend.
Bye now.
Am I so boring you can't stay five more minutes with me?
How can you talk like that to me? I don't even have a watch on.
Are you mad?
You don't change, do you?
I don't want to see you anymore.
I've had enough of you and your horrible face.
I've had enough of your films. I never want to see you again.
But what have I done to you?
What have you done to me these last five years?
I can't stand you. I don't love you anymore.
You're no longer the reason for which I live.
I always knew I could never live with you.
Let's go to see your parents.
No chance. I don't want you to see them.
They can't stand you. They've seen how you treat me.
Come off it. They could never stand me.
That's nothing to do with them.
They put up with you every time you wound them up.
I'm scared, I've had enough of you because I'm scared.
- I'm going to go there now, right now. - No, I don't want you to.
- I'll kill you. And then I'll kill myself. - But you're mad, Jean!
Look, I'm sorry.
I got wound up.
You know how stupid I am...
...how unhappy I am.
I love you too much, that's all.
If you don't want me to bother you anymore, I won't.
You can go.
I won't see you anymore, if that's what you want.
Is it over?
Don't you love me anymore?
I won't see you again?
No. It's over.
Promise me you'll never try to come back.
You're making progress.
It's always going to be like that now.
You're doing alright so far.
I wrote you a letter.
I like your letters.
Never write to me again. Why bother?
- You could get to the end at least. - I've got to go.
Don't you want some lunch?
No, I must get going, and anyway I can grab a sandwich at work...
...like in America.
I bet your boss chats you up, doesn't he?
No chance! He's totally crazy, a workaholic.
I can still be your friend, if you like, your best friend.
- Yes. - How about it?
I'm sure you're just pulling my leg.
What's wrong? Are you afraid of me now?
Do you think I'd do something to hurt you?
I'm not doing it on purpose.
Jean, no.
No, I don't want to see you like that.
Come on, up you go.
Have you ever cheated on me over the last six years?
Why should I feel bad?
Look at how you've treated me.
No, I'm just saying that to upset you.
After all we've been through it can't just end like that.
It's too late to change things now.
I want to read something to you.
It's the last letter written by Pavese.
"I used to find life horrible but still thought myself interesting.
"Now the opposite is true. I know life is wonderful but feel excluded.
"I tell you, my love, that I have never woken with a woman beside me...
"...who has ever taken me seriously in love...
"...and I have never known the grateful look a woman gives a man."
He must have been miserable.
Women are bitches.
- "If a woman had only..." - What do you have to grumble about?
You've been lucky. You've been loved.
Françoise loved you. I loved you.
And others will love you, for sure.
Did you love me, really?
Oh, yes. Yes, I loved you.
I will never love anyone as much as I loved you.
When we met...
...and I knew I was going to see you, my heart would beat so quickly.
If we split up, I have just one condition.
I still want to sleep with you. I like making love with you.
Would you have married me in Turkey?
Oh, yes.
Do you want this?
I've already got this.
Les Fleurs du mal?
Last week it was Pascal's Pensées, you're making good progress.
When we met you were reading Henri Troyat.
I may be wrong but what can I do? Dr. Mie tells me I'm a total bourgeoise.
- Wrong about what? - Nothing.
Well, I'd better go or I'll miss my train.
I won't go to work tomorrow. I've had enough of that place...
...and I threw my pad in the boss's face.
Why don't we go for a walk in the sunshine?
- Won't they say anything? - They don't care.
- Well, bring your swimsuit. - Yes.
- We'll go for a swim. - Okay.
- I don't like you watching me like that. - But you look beautiful.
- What are you thinking? - You look beautiful.
You've never looked as beautiful.
And I've never loved you as much, either.
In fact, I never loved you before.
And now I realise I love you, you leave me.
You're sitting on my dress.
I want to marry you.
You'll be happy.
What? I'll work, change my lifestyle, we'll have children...
You know, Jean, you don't just buy children like a packet of coffee.
I don't want to live with you now.
I know that now, I just couldn't.
We've had enough of each other. We're fed up with each other, don't you see?
I'm not!
Do you think I'll get back together with Françoise?
You don't know how you are together.
You had fun last night like before.
I'd been drinking.
So what will you do? You won't stay alone, even if you don't want me.
That's not what I said.
Maybe I'll let you know when I'm getting married.
Please, don't sit there like that, come over here.
Come here.
Do you mind if I stay a few more days?
I really need to rest.
I'm not sleeping. I'll get better there. Promise you won't get angry.
Of course I won't.
I won't get angry.
And anyway...
I'm sorry for what I said about the holiday just now.
I'll manage and we'll leave as soon as you get back.
What will you do this weekend?
I'll start painting the flat.
Wouldn't you be better off working on your script?
Well, goodbye...
...my big puppy dog.
Hello, I'd like an appointment call for St. Pratin, the Loire et Cher region.
What is this letter? You think I'm stupid?
I wrote you a nice letter and you swear back at me?
I'm coming in the car.
But I don't want you to come!
I need to rest. I'm coming back Monday for certain this time.
- What are you doing? - Painting.
You'd be better off working on your script.
See you Monday, love you.
I'll call Monday morning, I promise.
- Hello, it's Jean. - Hello Jean, are you okay?
Yes. Have you heard from Catherine?
She was supposed to call me this morning.
No Jean, we have to talk. Come over this evening.
Oh. Well tell me now if you know anything.
No, come over this evening. There's nothing to worry about.
Okay then, see you later then.
Here's your microphone, sir, would you like to take it...
Mr. Pont is struggling a bit with his.
Sir, if you'd like to return to your seat?
So, now we're all seated comfortably...
...let's get started on this game we all know so well...
There's a drawing in front of you, a portrait today...
...just a rough sketh done in a few seconds before the programme by...
Sit down, pull up a chair.
Could you turn off the telly please?
So, what's going on?
Catherine's left. We don't know where she is.
And it's all your fault. You and your big ideas.
Before meeting you, she was happy.
Engaged to a young man who loved her and was good to her...
...who would have married her.
And now, we don't know when she's going to come back.
And all that for the life she had with you for six years!
Never any money, never applying yourself to anything, at least recently.
So we've been wondering about all that.
And the way you treated her.
How many times has René found her on the stairs, crying...
...and ever since you met...
...her ladyship has locked herself in her room, crying, refusing to talk.
We weren't good enough for her.
And yet, you can't deny we've always been kind to you.
We adopted you, you visited often...
And I must say...
...thanks to you, we'd been seeing a bit more of her of late.
Well, I'm sure you know where she is.
I'm telling you, no one knows where she is. Us included.
She must be with Annie or something. England, she wanted to go to England.
- Maybe. I don't know anything. - Well, nor do I. But I don't believe you.
How could she put up with you?
I'll never forget the way you treated her in Camargue...
...calling her a skinny rat.
I called her a skinny rat?
Yes! When she didn't want to carry that thing for the sound.
Well, I was angry.
- She'd agreed to carry it. - But that thing's heavy!
Well, when you're filming you can't carry the camera and the microphone.
I'm not saying you can, but from my position it was painful to behold.
Look, Jean, I know you aren't malicious...
Well. You're just not made to make her happy, that's all.
You know that. You've said it yourself a hundred times.
One day Catherine will marry and that'll be the end.
Maybe she's with someone she's met now.
No!
How do you know? Five minutes ago you didn't know where she was...
...so maybe she's with some guy?
Just recently I asked her to marry me, and she refused.
I shouldn't have to justify myself like this.
Anyway she had good reason to. She's pregnant by me, I'm sure of it.
I think there's more to it than that.
And you're still with your wife after all this?
She must really love you to put up with all that.
Well, I'll write you a letter to give to Catherine if you see her.
As I told you, we don't know where she is.
Will you write to me if you hear anything?
She's not well, your daughter. She's fragile, her pulse is too fast.
So if something happens, if she falls ill...
...will you let me know?
I promise, Jean.
No, look, I'm not joking.
I've always been afraid she has a heart condition.
When she had her appendix out I was worried, because it lasted so long.
Well, that's just how it is.
I loved her, you know, I thought it would last forever...
...even if I told her the opposite.
Well?
Well, she's left and they don't know where.
You're joking! Her mother knows, for sure. She tells her everything.
What am I going to do now?
Don't get yourself worked up about it.
Little slut! Bitch.
A woman like that isn't worth it. Leaving you in this state.
Well, let's be fair.
It's my fault, I've been getting at her so much recently.
I've been hitting her and all the rest of it, making her life impossible.
I knew she'd had enough, but couldn't admit it to myself.
I'm here for you. She'll come back.
Try to get some sleep.
I can't, my stomach's all knotted up.
Would you like to sleep here?
Listen... Françoise. I have to know.
I need to know.
You'll go to meet her mother, and you'll ask where she is.
Yes, I know, but I want you to do it.
Do you have her number?
Okay, bye.
Well?
Listen...
She's getting married. Her mother told me.
I need to get it out of my system.
Actually, that's a relief.
Now I know what I should have seen ages ago.
Smiles... thoughts, silences...
Poor Jean.
I'm ill.
Will you stay with me?
No, I can't do that. I have to go to work.
But really, who cares about your work?
She looks so like her daughter, like peas in a pod.
That'll be Catherine in 20 years.
I asked her if she wanted to go out for a drink and she said no.
"But what if my colleagues see?"
So we went for a walk.
She told me straight away Catherine was to marry.
Her fiancé asked her last Sunday at St. Prat.
She'll need for nothing for the rest of her days.
He's a technical director.
Her life with him will be peaceful...
...tranquil and secure...
With you, she was unhappy.
She cried all the time. She was distressed.
You've got a nerve. You treated her like an idler, it seems.
You!
She said you charmed her with your film work.
She always believed you would marry.
When I heard that I couldn't help crying.
That embarrassed her.
She kept saying, "She's so pretty, my daughter, so pretty."
She didn't believe I'd seen her for myself.
I asked if she would write, as you said, but she couldn't make any promises.
She said she will ask her, though.
In the end, she said...
...that Catherine would not be coming back...
...and that you must get used to that.
Why are you doing this?
I can't bear seeing you unhappy.
I can't bear you being hurt like this.
- I'll go and see them. - Don't, please. What's the point?
- You'll cause yourself more hurt. - I just want to know.
- Hello. - Hello, Jean, how are you?
- Are you alone? - No, no.
Hello Jean, how are you? Take a seat.
- Well? - What?
What news?
Oh, but we know nothing.
We've not seen her. I've got nothing to tell you.
It's no fun for us either, you know, because now we're alone.
As for Michel, it's best if we say nothing.
Nevertheless it was you who pushed her to this. You've always hated me.
Listen, Jean, you know very well that's not true.
Maybe at the beginning we weren't so sure, but you know how Catherine is.
She's always been stubborn, and nothing's going to change that.
But at the beginning, I wasn't in love with her.
I wanted to dump her, but she started threatening suicide, downing pills...
...capsules, telling me she would slit her wrists.
It's all under the bridge now, Jean.
She was just being childish.
Last Sunday, she started thinking of you, and it made her cry.
She said, "I'd never have believed Jean loved me so much."
How old is he?
39.
Is he handsome? I mean, is he more handsome than me?
He's blond.
She could have chosen someone younger, don't you think?
What does he do?
Sales manager, I think.
How did she meet him?
I'm telling you, we know nothing!
There's really nothing to say!
You'll find someone else.
Plenty more fish in the sea.
Precisely. And anyway, I met your wife. She's charming.
Catherine's just a girl, and your wife is much better suited to you.
That's what I've been saying to René, "I really like Jean's wife, she's lovely."
She's extraordinary, I just don't understand why.
You go so well with her.
You're speaking as if I only knew Catherine six months.
We were together for six years.
Six years!
We were as good as husband and wife.
I've been looking for you these last two weeks.
I thought Catherine was with you on holiday.
No, we were staying with friends in Amboise, with Jean-François.
He's called Jean-François?
I thought Catherine must be bored alone at her grandmother's, so I picked her up.
Jean-François offered to come along for the ride.
We went dancing in the evening.
Annie and I saw immediately they'd hit it off together.
Catherine said, "I can't see him again."
You really are a bastard. You knew what a state she was in...
...and what that could do to her.
Does he earn a lot?
He's well off. I don't know what he earns, but I know how much tax he pays.
He knows about life, and he knows what women want.
He said he'd try his chances. And as he does what he says.
You can count on him. He'll drive 500 miles just to say hello to a friend.
He doesn't scrimp every penny.
Catherine said she was happy with steak but she wanted lobster.
He indulged her every whim, her every desire.
He sounds fascinating.
She said it was a pleasure to meet someone who didn't count every penny.
When I've got money I don't count every penny either.
- What's his car? - A Taunus.
He works hard. He's up every morning at five.
He won't have much time to fuck her.
Catherine says work is the key to everything.
Of you, she said, "It gets tiring, being with someone who does nothing."
Tell me, do you know much about cinema?
I took her everywhere, Chabrol, Demy.
- I mean, do you know how it's made? - There's not that much to it.
I ask because she's a critic.
We were watching a film on telly and there was no stopping her.
That wound up Jean-François.
Well, that's one thing she'll always have from me, anyway.
You'll see, it's not all going to be fun and games for her.
Waiting at home with the office wage and anecdotes.
I know Catherine.
She'll be bored within a month and she'll want to come back to me.
I doubt it. I wouldn't raise your hopes too high.
They have a plan.
It's a secret but I'll tell you. They're moving to Africa.
He's lived there for 25 years.
That'll be right. The lies he's spun her!
What a load of bollocks!
He must have hidden talents!
What is it with women?
She's hooked up with a slave master!
To think she's gone from someone like me to a right-winger, a fascist.
Well, it's no surprise, there are thousands of them in Turin.
True.
I've never seen you like this before.
Not even when your mother died.
Cinema is the only place you don't see men cry.
I've seen all the men I know crying. My father, my brother, your father.
Even you.
Mathieu in Russia cried when I left.
Mathieu?
Yes, he was called Mathieu. He was a maths teacher.
Great.
At the cinema, there's a guy who cries in Ordet.
A film by Dreyer.
- Why? - His wife has died.
When someone leaves you it's like they die.
It's worse... they're still alive.
If only I'd been able to cry when you left me.
It was horrible.
That's when I started to visit the mother.
I used to go there after work.
I used to stay for hours. I was as white as an angel.
I didn't leave you. I'm still here.
It's not the same.
It'll never be the same.
I hate her.
She has spoiled our lives.
You know, I've never wanted to kill anyone...
...but I think I could kill her. I'd like to kill her.
The amount of hurt she has caused me.
It's not as if she came looking for me.
At first I thought I'd leave her for you.
Just listen to yourself!
You're a womaniser like your father.
Your whole family's mad. You're mad yourself.
Your mother was always afraid of you. So was your father. Everyone was.
Are you this way because of all the arguing at home?
I can remember how it was. It was hell.
The reputation you had in the district!
People would say, "You mustn't move in with him!"
"Poor girl, they're all crazy in that house."
You have no friends. You're all alone.
You're turning into your father. But worse. At least he's got you.
You've got friends though.
Your Mathieu.
I had a feeling your Russian had given you that magnolia.
He wanted me to stay there. He even wanted to marry me.
To think, you only know Mathieu because of me.
I will never forgive you.
I had no idea you were doing this. With her at the same time as me.
People aren't happy with you. You make them feel anxious.
It's not my fault.
It's my mum's fault that I'm like this.
I've never met anyone as unhappy as her.
When I saw Psycho, the Hitchcock film...
...and Perkins pulls the cover around him at the end, I thought it was my mother.
Poor Jean.
- Hello, how are you? - I'm okay, and you?
- Hello. - Hello.
Come on, give me a kiss, I'm not going to bite!
So?
Are you mending something?
- Yes, you see. Are you okay? - Yes.
- Well, shall we go for a stroll? - Yes, we're just going out for a bit.
You look better. You've lost some weight.
Your blazer suits you. Did Françoise help you choose it?
No, I chose it myself.
- I wrote you a letter. Will you read it? - No.
I don't want to read anything.
- Shall we go to a café? - Lf you like.
Does he make love better than me?
I don't want to talk about that.
Oh, come on, you can tell me.
He lasts longer.
And have you done it in the cupboard?
We didn't do that often.
He's jealous. He's worried.
He told me, "I'm afraid you won't return...
"...or that you'll only come back to say you're staying with him."
Why didn't you say anything? Now I know, I feel better.
I was scared to tell you.
I was scared the whole journey. Is there anything in your pockets now?
Oh, stop being silly.
What do you think is in my pockets? You know very well I wouldn't hurt a fly.
Recently, at my parents, the slightest sound made me jump.
I always thought you had come over.
- Do you think about me sometime? - Yes.
And will you still when we stop seeing each other?
Yes.
I often think about the people I've loved.
Sad.
Of course it is.
When you're happy with someone, you spend less time with others.
- Are you happy? - Yes.
I like the countryside, you know that. I can read, go for walks, I'm happy.
I could never live in Paris again.
Just the idea of returning...
...weighs down on me.
And why did you hide from me like that? What was the point?
Because I know you. I hardly want you lurking around outside.
I could get hold of your address in a couple of hours, if I wanted it.
I brought you some photos.
You didn't go to much trouble, did you?
What about all the ones we took at Noirmoutiers?
I wanted to keep some.
Look, if you insist I can ask mum to send them to you.
So you're going to live in Africa?
- Who told you that? - Michel.
Maybe.
What's he like? He must look like your father.
No, not at all.
Is he intelligent?
I think so. He's jealous.
Do you love him?
Yes.
But apparently he's not such a good fuck?
Who told you that, Annie? Why?
Has she slept with him?
So it seems.
It even seems like he's rather into orgies.
Have you finished?
Don't you think you could have chosen a younger man?
- He's younger than you. - Thanks.
It's because he's blond. It's true, blond hair makes a man look younger.
Does he have a daughter?
Yes, she's ten. I've looked after her for a few days, but I won't all the time.
She looks like her mum.
So he's been cheated on too? His wife left him?
Yes, and so what? He's not missing out on much.
Why? Do you know her?
No, but I've heard about her.
How's Françoise?
Not great.
I think she's hurting even more than me.
Françoise is a wonderful girl.
I called her.
Why?
I don't know. I just did.
It's strange. You're always sad, angry, in a bad mood.
You find everything displeasing...
...everything bad.
I couldn't care less if I have a bad meal at a restaurant.
That's not why I went. I went to be with you.
But it seems you like lobster.
I couldn't care less about lobster.
So that's it, finished?
Will I never touch you like this again?
Why didn't you want to get a divorce?
Don't bring that up now.
I thought...
I thought you didn't care about me, that you...
I have to go. I promised not to stay long.
But you promised to stay with me a while.
I know, but... I really can't stay any longer.
Will I see you again?
Yes. Let's see.
Look.
You're the only person who can help me out of this...
...so at least let me write to you.
There's no point. It would do more harm than good.
It would do me good.
Okay, if you wish.
Will you reply?
I'll answer you this week.
I promise.
In future, if we see each other, will you want to sleep with me?
No, I won't cheat on my husband.
But if you go through a rough patch with him?
- I don't know. We'll see. - Tell me.
I don't know!
Jean, I don't want you to do anything silly.
Will you promise me?
To be honest, I couldn't care less if you died right now...
...but I'd be embarrassed because people would say it was my fault.
Goodbye.
Based on the novel by Maurice Pialat