Original subtitles

They need to get away.

- Not tonight? - Now.

Pierre, we're all tired. Let's sleep on it.

No, we're going.

- It's 11 pm! - Suzanne!

Chloe...

We'll go to the chalet.

Think it's a good idea?

- I don't know. - The nights are cold, even now.

We'll fetch your stuff.

We'll do that, then leave.

I don't want to go home.

Do you want to get anything?

You should sleep.

Incline the seat and sleep.

It's still a long way.

Someone I Loved

I'll put the heating on.

I'll come back for you.

You're ugly! You're useless!

You knew I'd yell if you did that!

I didn't do it on purpose.

I saw you, you know!

You're a liar. A liar!

You want to be Madonna.

Yes, because I'm Madonna's hidden daughter.

It's going to be great!

I'll be a really cool supermodel!

But you'll be a bag lady.

I want my snack.

The girls?

They're watching cartoons.

They show them this early?

They show them all day.

You found the coffee?

Yes, thank you.

Shouldn't you call work to let them know?

Yes, I'll do that.

It's just that I feel...

I'll call my boss. She's a friend.

At least I think so.

Could I speak to Laure, please?

I see. It's Chloe. I'd rather talk to her actually.

Actually, I'm taking a few days off to rest.

No, I'm not in Paris right now.

I'll call her back. Thanks. Goodbye.

You have no new messages.

Mum!

Yes.

Know what Grandpa said?

No.

That we'd go to McDonald's.

It's true. He said so himself.

Doesn't he hate McDonald's?

No, he doesn't. He said we'd do the shopping,

then all go and eat at McDonald's.

How can people eat this stuff?

- When will you finish, Grandpa? - Soon.

But when?

Like I said, soon.

Not yet, you'll hurt yourselves.

It's nearly ready.

Here we go.

All right, climb on.

Mum! Look! Have you seen, Mum?

Are they warm enough up there?

Yes.

Let's see... "Roughly chop the onions."

Here.

Fancy a drink?

The Merlot needs to breathe. Let's have some Bushmills.

What's Bushmills?

A whisky?

Try it.

It's the onions.

You think I cry too much?

Well? Incredible, isn't it?

I'm not keen on whisky.

It's something else.

A gift from Patrick Frendall.

Remember Patrick Frendall?

A tall guy with long arms.

I like him a lot.

I don't know him well but he's one of my best friends.

"Chop the carrots into medium rounds."

Is this "medium"?

I'd say so.

I have two best friends.

I had two.

I met Patrick on a trip to Rome with Suzanne.

He was at our hotel.

He made me laugh. It's rare for me to laugh.

And my brother Paul. You never met him: He died in '56.

In '56? How old was he?

21. There were 9 years between us.

Odd, a brother as a best friend.

You'd have loved him. Everybody did.

What did he die of?

Tuberculosis. He was sent back from Indochina half mad.

He'd volunteered to go there.

He was a student at the time.

He loved trees

and birds. He knew birds by their song.

On hearing a bird, he'd tell you the species and colour.

He'd draw it too.

He wasn't meant to go there.

But, you know, an unhappy love story...

He was mad about her.

Excuse me.

Three months later, she got engaged to our butcher's son.

I can't see the oregano...

What's this? It'll do.

Of course, no one could oblige her to love Paul.

My mother changed butchers. Paul came home, revolted.

All he did was read and draw.

He kept coughing.

Shortly after, he died.

At 21. What a waste!

Are we eating here?

Odd I should mention Paul.

I don't know why I told you.

I never talk about my brother.

I don't know...

It must be Patrick Frendall's Bushmills.

Patrick Frendall...

Ditched... ditched...

I've been ditched.

I'm in a ditch, Patrick Frendall.

Pierre?

In Annecy. The boiler can't wait. Back by noon.

Shit!

Answer it, Mum!

When are you coming?

You're not coming?

Because you fell out?

What are we going to do?

Yes, I love you too.

Know what?

Grandpa bought me a Barbie T-shirt

with pink trousers and trainers

with a bow on the socks and we ate at McDonald's!

Yes, she's watching TV. I'll put her on.

Cut it out, Lucie!

Mum, Dad wants

to talk to you!

- I'm busy. - She's busy.

He asks when we're going back to Paris.

Soon.

He'll call back tonight.

I might not be here.

She might not be here. Why not?

I don't know!

She doesn't know.

This is boring. I'm going to hang up.

Love and kisses, Dad.

Where will you be? Back in Paris?

Shut up, Lucie.

I want to go back!

- Stop it. - I'm missing stuff at school!

I won't know what to do!

I'll come last thanks to you!

Lucie, I said stop it!

You're useless!

I'll do your hair.

There, like that.

No, not like that.

There, you have horns now!

I'm stupid.

Why are you stupid?

Why? Why?

Why?

Paul died after being on guard in the rain.

Just think.

Are you ok?

It's going to rain again.

Lucie, Marion, come on!

It's raining!

Handsome, wasn't he?

When do you want to leave?

Tomorrow.

Why? I can stay here with you. No one will bother you.

Bother me?

It's better for you. For now.

Until he comes back?

You think he will?

- Don't blame me. - So I blame myself?

That's not easy.

Ok, we share responsibility.

I just want to yell about it.

Something you don't do in your family.

After all, you've virtually adopted me.

Let me cry out your son has ditched me.

- With our two daughters... - He'll take care of them.

We know that!

They're here...

It's a pretty big shock.

I never saw it coming.

Because no one talks in this family.

No, that's vulgar.

Your son doesn't talk either.

He's kind, even-tempered...

but I don't know him.

Suddenly we're through.

Out of the blue, we're through.

He's madly in love with some other woman.

Isn't that kind of traumatic?

We could have talked it over.

And I can't yell about it.

If I cry and keep my mouth shut, that's ok.

I've been part of this family for 7 years.

And you've never shown any interest in me before.

Why?

You're cleaning up after your son. It looks bad.

- It's not done. - Stop it!

Just listen to yourself.

You hear the way you talk to me?

I'm not a dog.

I let him go without yelling.

I closed the door quietly

because you don't slam doors.

And now I'm here with you,

with my little girls

and what do we do?

I help you cook and we have a drink?

I can't ignore what happened! I'm supposed to stay here

so I won't yell about how I've been ditched?

I'm doing what I can, shit, but don't give me orders!

Let go!

You're hurting me!

You all hurt me in this family!

You all hurt me...

He's unhappy.

He told you that?

So?

You're telling me that to help me?

That's sick.

He's the one who left.

The thing is...

can we make mistakes?

I don't care. I don't want to talk anymore.

I'm sick of this.

I loved a woman...

I don't mean Suzanne. Another woman.

I loved her more than anything.

More than anything.

I never knew you could love someone like that.

I mean,

I didn't think I was programmed to love like that.

And I loved a woman.

I fell in love the way you fall ill, without meaning to.

And I lost her the same way.

Her name was Mathilde.

Her name is still Mathilde.

I was 46 and I already felt old.

I've always felt old. Paul was the young one.

At 10, I had the face I have now.

I had no expectations.

I kept working and working.

Because...

I wasn't keen on living.

I felt I wasn't gifted for it.

Mathilde taught me to live.

Oh, Chloe...

I loved her.

You've no idea how I loved her.

Are you still there?

Yes.

Am I boring you?

No.

You want to sleep?

No.

What about Suzanne?

She didn't realize I was cheating until it was over.

I had...

I would come home to sleep,

because my family lived there. Period.

One night, she wanted to go out for dinner.

We went to a small, local pizza place.

I know everything.

She's younger.

I know how long it's lasted and why you're always away.

I can't stand it anymore. You're a monster.

I turned a blind eye. I was suspicious

but I trusted you. It had to be a whim,

a desire to please. A male thing.

I had the new house to see to. I had enough to do.

I thought, "It'll be ok, I don't have time,

"but I trust him."

Then you got ill and I turned a blind eye.

But now, I can't take it anymore.

All of it.

Your selfishness, your contempt,

the way you...

Good evening.

Ready to order?

Is there garlic in the spaghetti with clams?

I can ask the chef not to use any.

One clam. And you, sir?

- The same. - All right.

- White wine? Red? - Water, please.

Still? Sparkling?

- Sparkling. - All right.

How could you do it? Do I deserve such contempt?

- I don't feel contempt... - What did I do?

- Nothing. - Why?

I've seen a lawyer about a divorce.

Nathalie's sister-in-law, remember?

I decided on the way back from the chalet on Sunday.

You didn't say a word all the way.

Sorry, you did, you asked me for change to pay the toll.

I thought, "If Pierre speaks, I'll stay.

"If he doesn't, I'll get a divorce."

I didn't know you were a gambler.

Careful...

It's very hot.

There. Enjoy.

Your children are transparent.

You don't care

that Adrien has dropped out, that Christine is expecting...

You just don't care.

And all those...

so-called business trips.

You haven't been there for years.

The time I've wasted waiting for you.

And where were you?

With her. Always.

I even took care of your mother when she needed you...

How much do you want? Name a figure.

You're pathetic.

You don't understand a thing.

You really don't understand?

You're pathetic.

You're really pathetic.

I know.

File for divorce. I'll take the blame.

Even for my mother's foul personality.

Forget the lawyer. How much?

I didn't see a lawyer.

I didn't have the nerve. I couldn't leave you.

I love my life, my family, my children,

our home, our neighbourhood...

You can do whatever you want.

Keep on screwing her. I won't leave.

I've built things up.

We haven't even slept in the house by the sea yet.

And our friends, the people we know. I can't.

Besides, I'm told it's common.

A lot of men cheat on their wives.

It's a male thing.

I want to keep bearing your name

and stay Mrs Pierre Houdard.

I don't exist without you.

I'm here.

I'm not with anyone else.

- We're through. - You're through?

Are you through here?

- Yes. - I'll take these.

You didn't like it, sir. Madam neither.

- Would you like the dessert menu? - Coffee?

No.

The bill?

Was yours good?

The waiter has a fine moustache anyhow.

You're right.

I lost the love of my life

and stayed with a woman I permanently damaged.

Got anything to help me digest?

It's weird, telling me this now.

Know what I believe?

You deserve better and you're lucky Adrien left.

Brilliant!

Did he love you that well, Chloe?

Have you ever wondered?

No?

I must be mistaken.

This isn't bad.

Why don't you go to bed?

What happened with that woman?

- We can't talk about it? - I don't know.

It'll hurt you.

Even more?

I'm not sleepy.

I saw her again a few years ago in a Paris park.

And?

And nothing. It was over.

How did you meet her?

Some other time maybe.

Come on...

Tell me a story.

I first saw her on June 8, 1990,

at around 11 am, Hong Kong time,

at Mr Xing's office.

He had put out a tender to build ammonia tanks.

I was exhausted, jet-lagged

and I needed to clinch the deal to develop my firm.

And the flight's breakfast wouldn't go down.

Sorry, I don't understand. Where's Mr Rockwell?

I'm Mr Rockwell.

I'm replacing him. He's unwell.

Mathilde Courbet.

- No. - Something to drink?

Thank you, I understood.

Were you told?

Are you familiar with this specific matter?

Did they explain?

It's a major project, I can't afford to lose this deal.

You're very pale.

They show family photos

to get acquainted.

You don't have... a family photo?

I do, but not on me. I didn't know.

You may begin.

May I?

Certainly.

Mr Houdard, could you please

explain the diagrams?

Of course. Excuse me.

Go ahead.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

All right.

I'm sorry?

Why isn't the insulation on the interior?

To lessen the risk of thermal shock?

Yes.

And to retain insulation.

What's going on?

Translate. What is he saying?

It's hopeless?

- I don't think so. - What then?

Mr Xing thinks it's a bad idea doing such a big deal today.

What's wrong?

I gaffed?

- You gaffed? - Me? No.

I just repeat your words.

What then?

He says you're not concentrated.

I am! I am concentrated.

He says you're falling in love.

Dealing with a Frenchman in love is too dangerous.

No, it's all right.

Tell him it's not true.

I'm perfectly fine.

It's not true?

No, it's not true.

That's neither here nor there.

Sorry, I dozed off.

Well, it got off to a good start

but then they broke off the meeting.

I've no idea.

No, it's not good. It's not a good sign at all.

I'll go out for a while.

Yes, all right.

Take care. Talk to you later.

It wasn't true?

I almost gave up and left.

You've changed?

Yes.

- The same. But why?

Earlier, I was in disguise,

in my inoffensive employee outfit.

You didn't look the part at all.

You looked very good.

I just find it a pity.

That I've changed?

You prefer me inoffensive?

I'm not sure you're less dangerous in your grey suit.

Not sure at all.

How did you manage to translate so well, so fast?

It's my job.

Yes, but you know technical terms

for stocking systems and engineering...

Only natural.

My father and brothers work for Shell.

You live in Hong Kong?

For now, yes.

Whereabouts?

What an interrogation!

Sorry, I'm being impolite.

It's ok, I'll tell you.

I live alone near the harbour. My landlady, Miss Li,

has two canaries and a pretty voice.

Before, I lived in Dubai and anywhere else where there's oil.

I must have changed schools 10 times.

I've been here two years now. I was born in Paris.

I'll give myself one more year here.

And no, I don't have family photos to show you.

You must be missed worldwide.

I like it here.

Work's easy to come by.

It's a very dynamic place.

Do you work a lot?

All the time.

I love my work.

Should I forget Mr Xing? Did he say anything after I left?

Not to me. I'm transparent for him.

But I don't think it's hopeless.

A deal in China is never done right away.

It's a game. I'm sure you'll hear back soon.

You'll have to take them to dinner.

Really? And then?

You won't hear another word.

For a long time?

One month, two... You have to let them come to you.

Have you worked with China before?

Don't you ever come to France?

You won't answer?

Sorry... It's the first time, yes. The first time.

Do you like it?

Yes. It's unlike anything I know.

But, yes, I think I'm...

How can I put it?

Fascinated.

It's like that at first.

- I have to go. - So soon?

So soon? I had to hang about two hours here to see you.

I have Mr Xing again tomorrow.

I really need to sleep.

Thank you.

What did you say?

I said I'm afraid of losing you.

Is that all?

That's all.

You kissed her smile and that's all?

That's all.

She left and I sat back down.

I spent the rest of the night gazing at her note on my thigh.

You can go, Genevieve.

You're staying?

Just sorting out.

All right.

See you tomorrow then.

You just can't live without me.

Afraid not!

I was visiting cousins,

so I brought your lighter back.

My lighter?

I've had it for months.

I don't remember taking it. Maybe you're fond of it...

My lighter! Yes, I am fond of it. That's very kind of you.

You're welcome.

We stood there. I didn't know what to do.

I was paralysed.

Then she came closer,

stepped around the desk slowly, softly.

It seemed endless.

We were there...

So close...

So close...

The world belonged to me.

It was August. We were two tourists in Paris. It was hot.

We walked for hours and hours. I was her guide.

Then the sun set behind St Eustache.

We put off the moment. We went to a small wine bar.

I was so scared...

So scared.

After entering her hotel room, nothing would be the same.

Nothing.

I was about to make love with the love of my life.

You sense that kind of thing.

She was salty.

No, don't change a thing. Don't move. Stay like that. Forever.

Let me taste you again.

It's so good...

You're beautiful. God, you're beautiful.

Oh, my God, I want you.

I want all of you. I want to stay like this all my life.

I want to do everything with you,

share everything...

It's you.

You're doing this to me.

You make me talkative,

but I hate talking.

Why?

I'm not interesting.

That's Chinese?

- Going up? - Yes.

We forgot something.

- No, we didn't. - No.

- What floor? - Third.

No, second!

It's nice. It's a pity. We should go out.

Yes, it's a pity.

Want to go out?

No.

- And you? - No.

We spent three days in that room.

It was wonderful, but a sham.

Everything was fake.

It wasn't life. It wasn't Paris.

I wasn't a tourist.

I wasn't single.

I was lying. I was lying to myself.

I'll get cigarettes. Want a pack or will you smoke mine?

I'll keep on smoking yours.

See you in a minute, then.

See you.

I'm going.

- You're beautiful. - Sure.

When I work, I don't notice the time.

Yes, I'm aware of that. Where is he?

Let him sulk. What can I say?

Make him respect you.

I'm alone at the office

with the phones off the hook so I can work.

What terminal do you arrive at?

Yes, we'll talk in two days.

I'm filing stuff. I'm sick of it.

Yes, I'm fine.

Yes, take care. Bye.

I'm sorry.

I'm not asking anything.

I had to call them.

No problem.

You came down?

Yes.

I hate the room without you.

What shall we do? Go for dinner?

I leave tomorrow.

I won't stay here forever.

Did you get cigarettes?

No.

I'll try to live without you.

I hope I'll be able to.

The house is occupied year round,

by their grandmother.

Maryse and Bernard go in summer but it's heated all year.

- More cheese? - No thanks.

As for the damp, there are two estimates.

One was drawn up by Deschamps.

It's absurd. He suggests glass wool.

That's not recommended at all.

Or so Cassedeck told me for this kind of work.

The other uses wooden boards...

Different material.

Enough! Calm down!

C'mon, it's only water.

We're having fun for once.

You're so dreary!

Ask to leave the table!

May I leave the table?

The whole holiday was like that. I'm exhausted.

You need to be around more often!

I'll make coffee. Want one?

No thanks.

Are you ok?

It's so late!

You're not too tired?

- My head aches. - So stop smoking.

Shall I heat up dinner?

- Do you want cheese? - I'm not hungry.

You're not in bed?

I was waiting for you. I was reading.

You work such crazy hours.

Coming to bed?

I'll relax a bit first.

Giraffes accept man's presence

within a certain range.

They remain untouchable,

thus preserving their mystery.

The Romans named it

"giraffa camelo pardalis"

considering it resembled both the camel and the leopard.

It's somewhere in that mess.

The customs papers...

Can we sign the packaging contract?

We were just talking about that.

We can sign the packaging contract and the shipping one.

But I have to be frank. There's a problem.

A problem?

The tender included Chinese specifications

for packaging with strict demands.

You have side knots, double knots, stitching...

What knots?

He'll explain.

- Coffee, Alain? - Yes, please.

- Stephane? - No thanks.

For the packaging,

the Chinese have strict demands concerning the wood used

because they recycle it afterwards

for construction or to make furniture.

How much extra will this bullshit cost?

A tidy sum.

It's in the contract.

And now you tell me?

What the hell is this? The parts don't need crates.

It's absurd.

You need to see Jacques about it.

Jacques, can you come here?

What's all this unbudgeted packaging?

Well, the thing is...

The thing is what?

The estimate was so complex, I couldn't study every detail.

You know we can't fully assess everything.

We'll make it back. What can I say?

What can you say? Say I won't lose more money!

This contract is our biggest ever.

So we'll get to work on it and find a solution.

I thought of her all day long.

I knew she was there, somewhere on this planet.

I was waiting.

She told me not to call.

And I didn't want to...

And she said she'd be in touch for Christmas.

So I was waiting.

How did he seem?

He seemed very happy.

I should hope so.

To us.

Sorry.

Bravo!

Bravo, all of you.

- I'll get you a glass. - That's kind.

Excuse me.

Yes.

It's you? Hold on.

Just a second.

Genevieve...

Hang up.

Thank you.

News travels fast.

We're having a drink to celebrate.

You're in Paris?

Wednesday? Want me to pick you up?

Fine, if you prefer.

- Mr Blanchard wants to leave... - Just a second.

Can I call you back?

All right. I'll see you

Wednesday at that wine bar. At midday?

One o'clock then.

Take care. Yes, I can't wait.

Goodbye.

Forgive me.

It's ok.

I've missed you so much.

I can't be without you.

Let me call you when you're away.

Let me call you when I want.

Mathilde...

I think of you all the time.

Of everything about you.

My love...

I'm going?

You're asking me?

No, I'm telling you.

I have to go.

You know.

Why ask my opinion then?

I don't know.

Because...

I don't know.

What are you doing?

Nothing.

It doesn't show on your face.

I feel like it does.

So? What would happen?

I'd rather not think about it.

What will become of us?

How do you mean?

How do I mean? What do you think will become of us?

When you left me in this room last night,

I felt I'd never know this again.

Never again.

Never again.

So I dressed and went out.

I didn't know where to go.

I don't want to know that again.

I don't want see you leave like that. It's too hard.

I don't think I deserve that.

So what will become of us?

Nothing to say?

Only natural.

What can you say? What can you do?

I said I'd try to live without you.

I really tried...

but I think of you all the time.

So please, answer me. Now.

I won't keep asking you this.

What am I to you?

What do you plan to do?

Love you.

I won't abandon you again. I promise.

Forgive me.

I love only you. Trust me. I love you.

I love you.

I'll join you soon, across the world.

Will you let me?

But...

I'll wait for you.

I said soon but it's only been 10 days.

That still ranks as "soon"?

I want you.

What are you wearing?

I'm wearing my grey suit

and black lisle socks.

When do you leave?

We have plenty of time for breakfast then.

I can't be very far away.

I'm at the intersection of Moncock Road

and Portland Street.

Mathilde?

Why don't you answer?

For once, I don't know what to say.

You've...

- I've amazed you. - Yes.

I have to go.

I'm a pretty surprising guy.

I have a few more tricks up my sleeve.

You'll see.

I bet the landing scared you. It's terrifying

with the buildings so close.

I imagined landing in your bedroom. It helped.

- You're not in your suit. - Not at all.

You're interesting, you know.

Seen this?

You still have it?

Is that a sign?

No way.

Pierre...

Pierre, please, I have to go.

I'll stay with Miss Li then.

I haven't seen her. Where's Miss Li? Is she pretty?

Very!

Come on.

All right.

Okay?

She's pleased to meet you.

- Unless it's you I cry about. - She said that?

Almost.

Miss Li!

It won't close?

They know you here?

Very well.

And Mr Xing?

What about Mr Xing?

He could be eating here.

So?

He could blackmail you.

Good evening, Mr Houdard. Fancy seeing you.

You'll do me a good price, right? A nice little discount?

You sound German!

Actually,

my father was Chinese but my mother came

from the suburbs of M�nchen.

No,

Mr Xing, you'll never be able to pressurize me.

Unfortunately for you,

my assistant has just taken a photo of you

and this pretty fr�ulein.

So?

I can show the photos, you know.

I have nothing to hide.

You see, Mr Xing, I made my mind up while doing Miss Li's repairs.

I'm going to live with Mathilde.

Because,

you see, I can't without her.

I need her.

She gives me life.

I know who I am at last. Do you realize?

I'm in love at last.

Understand, Mr Xing?

Don't cry.

I'm sorry.

It's my fault. I'm hurting you.

It's beautiful.

And that pisses me off.

But why didn't you leave with her?

What's Suzanne's secret?

How did she keep you?

You're not cold?

You don't stop loving someone, you start loving someone else.

Maybe because there's room.

Or so they say.

It's not something you decide.

It just hits you and you can't help it.

You can't do much at all.

I don't want to make anyone suffer, but I know it'll happen, because it's...

It's unfair, it's wrong.

That's what I wanted to tell them.

Even if I'm no longer your mother's husband,

I'll still be your father.

That will never change...

Shit!

Leon...

Come here.

Leon.

Oh, hi, Dad.

What's that?

This is Leon.

Leon... Dad.

I want it gone tomorrow.

Dad...

Wait.

Pain in the ass! Always the same!

What's that rat?

Watch it!

Fucking knock first!

What the hell is that rat?

Good evening, Pierre.

- Good evening. What's that rat? - A gift.

That's how it is now. 10 a cat, 15 a rat.

What can I do on my own?

We haven't talked since you got back 5 days ago.

Adrien's a bit upset about his birthday.

Didn't you get anything? I bought

a load of electronics.

- The runner didn't come? - He did.

Something to tell me?

It's a superb acquisition with a lot of character.

Very bright, with high ceilings.

Hungarian point parquet floor. Scope for development...

It will sell in no time.

And now the real clincher... Come and see.

Look, Montmartre.

I'm still visiting apartments for the two of us.

Do you love me?

Will you say it?

I need to hear it today.

Please, don't smoke here.

Stubborn, aren't you?

Let me know when it's no longer to order.

Pretty but noisy. I have 5 to go.

It's ok, we'll keep on travelling...

for holidays.

No, not anymore.

Even at take-off. I look at the clouds and think of you.

I'm not scared of dying now. You're my miracle.

Really? She said that?

Miss Li...

Tell her I miss her too.

But not you.

The last one wasn't bad. In northern Paris.

Tiny but not bad.

If you stand on tiptoe

and lean to the left, you can just spot

the Eiffel Tower.

Thank you.

Yes?

I don't feel well. May I go? I'm up to date.

Can I call you back? 5 minutes at the most.

I didn't dare but I'd like to ask for sick leave.

It's the first time in 30 years.

My daughter

says I need a break. She told me to ask you.

I'd hate to make mistakes. You know I like to do things right.

Everything's up to date,

the Cerex files are finished

and I've found a fine young girl

to take over until I'm better. If she doesn't suit you...

But what's wrong?

It's my husband.

We're not together anymore.

I need rest because...

He's left?

What? Yes.

Since I'm not well, I'm taking pills

to help me sleep and to keep working.

- I'd hate to make mistakes. - How long ago?

Two months. But I'm ok.

My daughter's staying with me

but I find it hard concentrating and getting up in the morning.

I can't go on.

Get some rest. I'll manage. What matters is you.

And...

Between you, it wasn't...

Not especially.

I don't understand.

Maybe it's me, maybe it's him...

But things were ok. We've been together 38 years.

But that isn't...

I don't know.

Genevieve, I'm so sorry.

This may not help now

but he'll see he's made a huge mistake.

Thank you.

Forgive me. I'm sorry.

Do you need a taxi?

So you stayed with Suzanne thanks to your secretary's husband.

Come on, Chloe...

- I'd have found another excuse. - No.

- You didn't want to leave. - I did!

But I couldn't. I was scared.

I was convinced Mathilde would leave me one day.

So I took the safe way out.

I'm like Suzanne. I wanted that house by the sea.

It's atrocious.

You may not like it when I say Adrien was right to leave

but I'll say it anyway and repeat it.

It's not...

I'm telling you for your sake.

It means you'll avoid the compromises,

the years of sterile conversation,

the forced tenderness, the pretence,

just to stay at any cost.

You have to live, dammit.

Look at me, Chloe.

I can't make it.

20 years on, I can't make it.

I think of her every day. I wake up with her every morning.

I was lucky. I kept it all: My home, my friends,

my neighbourhood, my butcher...

I have it all.

It's ok.

Yet I'm dead, Chloe.

And Suzanne too.

We're dead. You understand?

We're dead, Chloe.

Mum, Lucie's crying.

Are the girls ok?

Yes, they went back to sleep.

Did she hear me?

So you stopped seeing apartments?

Yes.

Did you tell Mathilde?

She guessed.

Of course.

She must have really loved you.

She then laid down her conditions.

It was that or nothing.

I accepted. It suited me, of course.

She moved to London and I had no right to know anything.

She told me, "I'll have other affairs.

"I won't wait for you to call.

"I won't miss out on love.

"I want to sleep with whom I want, with no misgivings."

I've been thinking.

Since what we're living isn't real, it's a game.

Since it's a game, we need rules.

We'll see each other far away, in other countries.

When you know where you'll be, write to me at my sister's.

She'll forward my mail.

Don't bother writing love letters.

Just let me know in time.

Tell me what hotel, where and when.

If I can, I'll get away. If not, too bad.

I'll pay for my flights.

I insist on that.

Don't try to call, to find out where I am or how I live.

That's not the problem.

I think it's the best solution.

I'll do what you do.

Live my life while loving you, but from afar.

This isn't how I saw things.

But why not?

It will be a game.

A special game. An exciting one.

When you arrive, perhaps I'll be there, perhaps not.

Perhaps I'll join you in the night to make love

without a word.

Or I'll arrive the next day

and you'll wait at the bar all night.

Or I'll take another room and you'll wait until morning.

You see, I'm ready to try because...

You're right.

Life without misgivings is...

Room 329. The lifts are over there.

Enjoy your stay.

Good evening, sir.

You know me, Genevieve. I'm meticulous.

They enjoy showing me their plant.

I'll be back tomorrow.

- Do you love me? - Yes.

Will you say it?

- Not like that. - Not to order. I know.

I love you though.

- I love you, I love you... - Me too.

Stubborn as a mule...

Why won't you say it, huh?

Say it. Obey me for once.

Say it.

It.

I'm yours.

Say it.

I'm yours.

Say it again.

I'm yours.

Pierre, you're hurting me.

Sorry.

Forgive me, my love.

Forgive me.

Forgive me.

Seeing other men?

We had a pact.

Screw the pact.

Leon's dead. You know, Adrien's rat.

The day after Adrien turned 18.

It's odd. I'd grown used to him.

I'll miss not seeing him when I get home.

He was my only ally at home.

He'd climb on the couch and we'd watch TV together.

I have to ask you...

You know Billy, that guy I see?

He's proposed to me.

I don't know what to do.

What should I tell him?

Mathilde, stop it.

What?

You talked about your life.

Screw the pact, right?

Maybe I can work it out differently...

- I think so. - I'll take a look.

I'll go over it again

and see what I can do.

Pierre, I have the BV file. I'll put it...

Hold on a second...

I focused on the overseas market.

I made deals around the world.

Any excuse to travel and maybe spend a few hours with her.

That was it.

A few hours.

Then nothing.

A few hours, then nothing.

Four years like that.

I played, trying not to think of what came next.

Trying not to think.

Can I ask you something?

Yes.

Don't you think we go well together?

I do.

You think so too.

I think we go well together.

With you, I'm never bored.

I'm never bored.

I know your flaws. But I feel that your flaws complement mine.

You're unassuming, I'm the opposite.

I need your gaze to help me attain more...

matter... more steadiness.

Why are you saying this?

I want you to know.

Why now?

I don't know.

It's incredible meeting someone and thinking,

"I feel good with this person."

Why are you telling me this now?

Because I don't think you realize how lucky we are.

Mathilde?

Yes.

You're leaving me?

No.

You're not happy?

Not very.

There was no reason for her to be there the next time.

No reason at all.

I was so afraid, I almost hoped she wouldn't be.

Good evening. Mr Houdard, I have a reservation.

Mr Houdard...

that's room 319.

Thank you.

Who are you writing to?

You.

Me?

Why write to me?

Actually, I'm writing for myself.

"Picnicking, sleeping by a river,

"eating peaches,

"buying dishes and useless things,

"repainting a ceiling...

"dumping trash, forgetting our bags,

"hiring bicycles,

"not using them,

"introducing you to Martha and Tino,

"seeing a movie, shopping, cooking together,

"singing songs to you, a child,

"talking to the neighbour..."

Who are Martha and Tino?

You're so beautiful.

Simon!

You don't know my friend Simon. My boss, Mr Houdard.

Delighted.

Me too. I've heard a lot about you.

I have to get back to work. Take your time, Genevieve.

- I'll be right up. - Goodbye.

Hello, Pierre.

Could you sign?

Then, one day, she broke the pact. She came to Paris.

She wanted to see me.

I'm so happy you're here.

How are you?

Pierre, I'm pregnant.

Who by?

By no one.

Thank you.

I was waiting for those words.

I came all this way to hear two words.

Don't move.

I couldn't leave you.

I can't spend my life waiting for you and... Nothing.

I just needed to hear those two words.

I had to see this. I had to see it for myself.

No, don't move.

I have to go now.

I'm tired, Pierre. You've no idea how tired.

I can't go on.

Keep away.

You have to let me go now.

Will you let me go?

Will you let me go? You have to let me go.

You know I love you, don't you?

Hello.

Hello, sir.

Dad...

What's wrong?

Dad...

Close the curtains.

Are you sick?

I want to sleep...

I'll get Mum.

- Has he eaten? - Hardly a thing.

- Has he said anything? - No.

Dr Thioly is coming back to check on him.

Travelling so much, he had to catch something.

Mum, where are my jeans?

I don't know! In the machine maybe.

It's murky! Open the curtains.

It bothers him.

- Ok, sweetheart? - Yes.

Is that paint in your hair?

Sorry, but I have to get to work.

I haven't made my fortune.

Trying to stay trim?

Look at me, 230lbs and not a shred of muscle.

140lbs. Try running every day, guys.

- Want one? - No thanks.

- Where are you parked? - That way.

I'm parked a bit further away.

Mathilde...

Mathilde!

Got 5 minutes for a coffee?

I'm sorry. No.

No, Pierre, he isn't 5.

He isn't 5, you understand?

What's his name?

Tom.

He speaks English?

English and French.

- You have other children? - No.

And...

Do you live with someone?

Sorry, we have to be somewhere.

So soon? Can I drop you off?

Please...

Pierre, stop it. I told you, he isn't 5.

I have to go now.

I've done all my crying.

Then what?

That was the end.

- The very end? - The end.

I think of him sometimes. He must be 15 now.

He must be so big.

Do you think she was lying?

I don't want to talk anymore.

No, leave that. I'll see to it.

I'm just tidying up a bit.

It's going to be a beautiful day. Have you seen?

DVD Subtitling: CNST, Montreal