Original subtitles

♪♪

[birds chirping]

[chirping continues]

♪♪

[birds chirping]

[music fades]

[gentle music fades in]

♪♪

Good morning, Kan!

Good morning, ma'am.

[waves lapping]

♪♪

Nice of you to have come. I appreciate it.

If I may say so, ma'am, it's a pleasure.

How did you know I was coming?

- I simply guessed. - Ah, you simply guessed it...

...by checking every passing car.

[chuckles]

♪♪

Don't you like me anymore?

[Kan] Would it make any difference?

[Cecilia] You didn't used to be so quiet.

♪♪

♪♪

Where are you going?

That's not the way to the house.

It's the way to mine and my brothers' house.

Never mention them again!

I've heard enough about your brothers, as is!

Yeah, I know, three little ne'er-do wells

the boss fired because they were peeping,

watching you undress,

hiding on the balcony to look at you taking your clothes off.

But there's a catch to it.

You knew it, and you were deliberately provoking them,

as you're provoking me!

That will do.

I want you to stop the car.

I'm not taking orders anymore.

I just quit this very minute.

♪♪

Stop the car.

No!

[Cecilia grunts]

No! Leave me alone!

No! [gasps]

[grunting]

No!

I'll kill you!

You bastards!

No!

[grunting]

Please, stop it!

[crying]

No!

No! [crying]

[Cecilia grunting]

[crying out]

[groaning]

[grunts]

[moaning]

[groans]

[moaning]

[moaning]

[moaning]

[moaning]

[breathing heavily]

[moaning]

Yes.

[moans]

Yes!

[gasping]

[moaning]

Yes.

Yes!

[moaning]

Oh, yes!

[gasping]

[pleasant music ♪]

[birds chirping]

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

[birds chirping]

♪♪

♪♪

[birds chirping]

♪♪

[birds chirping]

Cecilia!

[both gasp]

I was so worried. What happened to you?

Easy now, darling. Tell me exactly what happened.

[gasping]

[birds chirping]

[pleasant sensual music fades in ♪]

♪♪

[breathing deeply]

[gasping]

[birds chirping]

♪♪

[birds chirping]

♪♪

[André] I'll kill them for this.

[Cecilia] André...

...there's something I've got to tell you.

[André] It's monstrous.

My wife despoiled by two dirty little, filthy pigs!

[Cecilia] I didn't tell you all this so you'd...

...go and turn the thing into a tragedy.

I don't want you to think in terms of killing...

...of punishing, of revenge.

We've been married now for over two years.

You know, I fell in love with you from the moment I saw you in Paris.

I left the man I was with.

[André] And I divorced.

[soft jazz music ♪]

My very dear friend,

I'd like to introduce you to my niece, Cecilia.

Ah, she'll take good care of you.

Yes, she adores plush nightclubs

and Latin playboys!

[laughing]

It looks like a very, very nice party.

Yes, and I hope that we're really going to enjoy ourselves.

Ah, Cecilia!

May I present André,

son of the departed Compte de la Motte.

Your father's dead, isn't he?

Yes.

Ah, good evening, my friend. You look in pretty fine shape.

I am, thank you. Just great.

Never felt better in my life. Thanks for inviting me.

- It's a great party. - Cecilia, dance with André.

Oh, she doesn't look it, but she's ever so shy.

[laughter]

You're so sweet.

[laughter]

♪♪

[indistinct chatter]

Oh, you didn't see Hamlet...

...with those dwarves? Simply divine! Oh!

You mean you saw dwarves?

Oh, it was beyond words!

♪♪

[indistinct chatter]

♪♪

[chatter continues]

[soft jazz music continues ♪]

[music fades ♪]

[traffic noise]

"On s'en fout... on s'aime."

What's that mean?

Huh?

[giggling]

That's another one we'll miss, huh?

Come on!

Look at that over there. It's beautiful!

Great, huh?

And right over there is the River Seine.

You want to see the cathedral?

Let's climb all the way up!

All the way up there? I'll race you!

[Cecilia] You better be fast!

[André] You wanna bet?

[Cecilia] I'll tackle you flat on your bum

if you dare beat me to the top!

Look at it!

[André] You know, I think I've just changed my mind.

Let's go for a drink instead.

[Cecilia] You're a sissy.

[birds chirping]

[soft jazzy music ♪]

And then we got married...

♪♪

...and you brought me here...

...into your world...

...your land, your life at the embassy.

Weren't you happy?

[sighs]

I was happy, yes. Very happy.

I was yours, body and soul, for two years...

...yours alone.

I'd never been faithful to anybody before you.

The first few months were marvelous...

...deliciously exhausting.

We made love for nights on end.

Then, gradually...

...it's true our passion died down.

I still love you.

So do I.

Our love will last forever.

I could never love another man again.

Nor I another woman.

When we made love today, when I came back,

it felt like it used to at the beginning

when we first met.

It gave me so much pleasure I thought I'd faint.

And do you know why?

I'm very conscious of it.

It's because these two boys

made me come so much I went mad.

They managed to bring out in me an extraordinary sensuality.

The animal in heat.

Then, making love with you...

...came close to... absolute happiness.

I desired you like the first time.

Didn't you notice it?

And in one single hour I gave you...

...more love than I'd ever given you over the past two years.

And I felt no shame about my body,

which others had just possessed.

Because genuine love

has nothing to do with violent, mad physical desire.

Don't you believe so, André?

What are you leading up to now?

I want you to understand something

which is very important.

♪♪

Wouldn't it be far, far better, my love...

...if we left our senses a certain freedom?

You know what I mean... physically.

It wouldn't necessarily mean...

...that we would cool to each other,

or that we'd grow bored.

Or that we would become indifferent to each other.

Why not say it right out?

You've had enough of me.

That's not true.

Tell me, over the past two years

didn't you ever desire another woman?

♪♪

Yes, I did.

But we didn't make it. You want me to swear?

No, but you were mentally unfaithful to me.

Now, will you admit it?

Why not just be sincere?

Why not always try to live with the truth?

It might be better...

...far better to admit that I could love somebody

with all my might,

but enjoy sex with another...

...and that coming back to the one you want to love...

...is the biggest thrill.

You may be right.

Let me think about it... maybe.

♪♪

[music fades ♪]

[birds chirping]

I won the race.

I wouldn't mind a kiss from my loving husband.

I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding a man

who'll kiss you far better than me.

Of course, I'm right!

Afterwards, if you want to, come and see me, baby.

My, oh, my. Looks like we're in for stormy weather!

Good morning.

I can't stand it anymore, Antonin!

All right, tell grandmother all about it.

Come on, don't make fun of me.

I'm making fun of him.

No man loved by a woman like you

has the right to get angry at her.

I mean it.

Help me, Antonin.

I propose we drink to friendship!

That's a good idea.

Yes, let's drink to friendship!

And now, to love.

To freedom!

I'll drink to that.

To freedom!

[chuckles]

[Antonin belches, laughs]

I'll drink to sexual freedom and love!

My dear guests,

I think-I think I'd better beg your permission to retire now.

I think I'm... drunk!

Wine, brandy, cocktails, and whatnot.

[chuckles]

Oh, would you mind

helping your grandmother to her room?

You will?

Okay.

You don't mind?

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

All the way...

[smooth jazz music ♪]

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

You want to dance?

Why not?

♪♪

♪♪

[André] Exactly what do you want?

[Noira] I want to make love with you.

[laughter]

♪ Roll me over in the clover ♪

♪ Roll me over--♪ Put me down.

[laughter]

Okay, you don't have to play the part

of the drunk and decadent marquis any longer.

[groans]

How was I, huh?

Marvelous.

That was no part. I am a drunk and decadent marquis!

[laughing]

Do you think we've got a chance?

Sure! she likes the idea and she'll pull it off.

It seems to me that a lot of women seduce men

just to prove to themselves that they're beautiful

and utterly irresistible.

And making love is, for many of them,

an accessory after the fact.

And what about me?

You too, my sweet friend.

Don't tell anybody because you'd damage my reputation as a man-eater.

But you are a real man-eater,

and you'd want quite a few.

[gasping]

You're all excited!

What excites me is the way you speak.

[chuckles]

We'd better get back to the dining room, don't you think?

We've got to stick to our timing.

So soon?

That's what I call fast work.

- Cecilia! - Huh?

[both chuckling]

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

Humph.

[song ends ♪]

Cecilia...

...I can explain!

Wait a minute! Cecilia!

You're a macho, that's what you are.

You machos can do anything you please.

It doesn't mean a thing. Right?

[André] For Christ's sake, let me explain!

[Cecilia] Go ahead, explain!

[grunts]

Cecilia! Wait a second!

Hey, listen to me! Let me tell you!

Let me explain!

Cecilia, open the door.

Come on.

[pleasant music ♪]

♪♪

♪♪

[music ends ♪]

[very soft music ♪]

[quiet gasping]

♪♪

[soft moaning]

[shuddering breaths]

[grunting]

♪♪

[all breathing heavily]

♪♪

[gasping]

♪♪

[gasping]

[grunting]

[moaning]

[waves lapping]

[gentle music ♪]

[giggling]

Thanks.

Thank you for the lesson.

I love you and I want you more than ever.

André, it's funny. It feels like my life began the day I met you.

You mean that, darling?

- You love me? - Very much.

You know, it's kind of weird being in this house,

like being thrown into the past.

Come on, let's go in and join the others.

The house is still beautiful.

- You're right. - Oh, so there you are!

We'd almost given up on you, you know.

[chuckling]

Nice to see you.

- Thanks. - How are you?

Oh, so you're still in love.

Some people have all the luck!

Oh, I'm so glad to see you!

[all fawning]

Oh, come on, let's join the crowd.

[soft jazz music ♪]

[chatter]

Cecilia is the best guide in the world.

May I present my niece?

She doesn't live in Paris, but--

We've known each other a long time.

Oh, of course. What's the matter with me?

[chuckling]

You owe me half a dance, remember?

Yes, of course.

See you later.

Oh, they look good together, don't they?

Yes, they do at that!

Oh, come on, André, what are you looking so sad for?

Oh, she isn't lost, you know.

He'll bring her back to you. Go on, enjoy yourself.

Let's enjoy ourselves, too.

Come on, cheer up. Huh?

Somebody told me that your first novel was autobiographical.

Yes, one day I sat down

and decided to write a story about my first abortion.

What do you call it?

Neither Virgin Nor Martyr.

Wow, that should sell.

That is one hell of a title.

♪♪

[chatter]

[indistinct chatter]

Ah, come on. Don't be such a prig.

Will you come and dance with me?

Of course. Cheer up, young man.

[laughter]

A beautiful flower for a beautiful lady.

What's wrong?

[birds chirping]

♪♪

Listen to me, Cecilia. - No!

I've wanted you for years and years! Just listen to me!

For Christ's sake, will you leave me alone?!

Cut it out!

They won't miss us, Cecilia. Let's get away.

- You're crazy! - Stay here just a moment.

- Come on. Let go of me. - Talk to me!

Listen to the birds. How happy they sound.

- They do! - Listen!

We're so close to Paris, and yet so far!

Oh, there you are. Bravo!

Oh, congratulations! You were marvelous!

- I was? - You're too modest.

I want to congratulate you.

- If that's the way you feel about it. - Wasn't he great?

- Yes. - Yes, you were sublime.

The way you held onto her gave me a thrill!

What are you talking about?

Yes, you did, and I'll have you know, my friend,

we both expected no less from you.

What a wonderful display of mastery. Sheer mastery!

You were too much for words!

Last week on television we lost the cup.

A tragedy!

We would have kept it if your horse hadn't tripped!

Tough luck! Oh!

Yes, so that's what you're talking about.

[groans]

Ah!

We're going to love and want each other more than ever.

Yes.

You know, the way I feel, you're not only my wife and my mistress...

...you're also my confidant.

Well now...

Now we can do anything we want to.

Not quite.

We can't love anybody else, not be infatuated.

The we feel for each other has to go on...

...and grow larger.

Of course, darling.

But then, we've got to tell each other everything.

Everything we do.

Yes.

You know,

I read in a book, a long time ago,

about lovers who made a bargain.

They allowed themselves total freedom

to make sure that they'd stay faithful.

That's what we'll do.

Want to know what happened next?

She ended up so jealous she killed him.

[giggling]

And you, would you have done it too?

Of course.

I would've done the same thing. And you?

I don't know.

Maybe. I might have.

Who are your friends?

No idea. I just met them.

I met them yesterday at the riding club.

I hope they're fun.

Otherwise we throw them overboard.

They way it looks to me, she can hardly wait to get me into bed.

And he makes me feel incestuous.

If it's that funny

would you mind letting me in on it?

Why yes, in a while.

[chuckles]

[eerie music ♪]

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

[grunting softly]

[music fades ♪]

That's what we do for a living.

I used to be a pretty good classical dancer,

but when George finished school

I whipped up this act here we have together.

What's George got to do with it?

I don't get it.

He's my son.

I had him, I was just a kid, the little jerk.

How old does that make him now?

[sighing] 16.

Is it true you make love with him?

I'm a bit leery about what people say.

It's true.

I took the boy's cherry.

Who could have taught him better than me?

And what does society have to say about you?

Well, that's precisely why we moved here.

We earned quite a bit of money

since we started working together.

We just bought ourselves a club in town.

Will you be putting on your act there?

Of course.

I hope you'll come to see me.

In fact, we may come every evening.

[soft organ music ♪]

So he's your son...

You've got marvelous breasts.

I'd like mine to be as nice.

Don't be an idiot.

Your breasts are beautiful.

♪♪

♪♪

[music fades ♪]

[music fades back in ♪]

♪♪

♪♪

[music stops ♪]

[music fades back in ♪]

♪♪

♪♪

[music fades ♪]

[overlapping soft moans]

[eerie music ♪]

[gasping]

[gasping]

Humph.

Andy!

Andy!

Andy!

- Yes, ma'am? - My husband isn't here yet?

No, ma'am.

The telephone isn't working, ma'am.

I've called to get it fixed.

Will you run me a bath?

[keys sound]

[pleasant music ♪]

♪♪

♪♪

[birds chirping]

[birds chirping]

[telephone ringing]

- Hello? - [André] Cecilia?

André, where are you?

Still downtown.

Yes, but where?

I'm at Madame M's place

with three pretty girls straight off the farm.

They're helping me forget yesterday's inanities.

I want you.

So do I.

I'll tell you all about it when we make love.

Will you be long?

That depends.

We're smack in the middle of things.

You're a pig.

I love you.

So do I.

Will you pour me another glass of that crap?

Yes, sir.

Oh, you're not from around here.

You must be Portuguese. They're all over the goddamn place.

Yes, sir.

Kan!

Come back!

[birds chirping]

[quiet jazz music ♪]

Oh...

Come in, lady. What can we do for you?

They're all family. Cousins.

Come on.

[softly moaning]

[moaning]

[birds chirping]

Would you mind driving the car back?

I'd rather not.

I'm glad you came, ma'am. You made us all very happy.

I'm happy too, Al.

How will you get home?

I don't mind walking a bit.

Don't mind.

Ma'am, I wanted to tell you...

...about my brother, Kan.

Got to tell you...

...he loves you.

He shipped out on a boat.

He was gone a long while.

He wants to see you.

I wish you would.

Then why did he go away?

He's a proud man.

Goodbye.

I better run. Bye.

[birds chirping]

[quiet jazz music ♪]

[horn honks]

[horn honks]

[waves crashing]

[wind blowing]

[waves, wind continue]

[horse whinnies]

[horse whinnies]

[horse whinnies]

Hello, Kan.

Good morning, ma'am.

If you want to go in for a swim I'll take care of your horse

like I used to.

You can count on me.

From here on in, I'll do whatever you say.

Kan, I'm so glad that you're back.

Me too.

[moaning]

[horse snorts, whinnies]

Whoa, there!

Sir!

Oh, sir!

[André] What is it?!

The miss' horse comes back alone!

[André] Do you know what time she left?

No, sir. She must have left bright and early!

I didn't hear a thing!

Why did you come back?

You preyed on my mind.

You lived in me like an obsession.

I had to come back and hold you in my arms.

I had to tell you I love you.

I don't love you.

I know.

A lady like you could never fall in love with a tramp like me.

I've got to ask you, Kan.

Please don't try to see me again.

Okay, I won't.

In any event,

my boat leaves tomorrow morning.

That's the reason why I followed you today.

It was my last chance.

Would you be gone a long time?

Who knows.

[waves crashing]

The best thing...

...is to forget you.

Yeah, try to forget.

When I'm anywhere near you

I live through you.

I breathe through you.

I sleep through you.

It's more than I can bear.

Cecilia...

You know, I've been all over the world lately...

The sea was the same.

It made me think...

...of the waves right on this beach...

...playing on your naked body.

That the wind which blew in my hair...

...was going to tousle yours.

Go away.

Go away, you hear?

Okay, I'm going,

but I won't come back.

I won't see you anymore.

Me neither, my wonderful love.

[waves crashing]

[Cecilia] Let's say goodbye here.

My husband must be looking for me.

[Kan] All right.

I'll close my eyes so I won't see you go.

My ship leaves tomorrow at dawn.

I'll have the whistle blown three times.

One for each time we made love.

Maybe you'll hear it from your room.

[waves crashing, wind howling]

[birds chirping]

[ambient music ♪]

[birds chirping]

♪♪

[music fades ♪]

[birds chirping]

Cecilia! [gasps]

You frightened me.

So did you.

When your horse came back alone

I was so afraid something had happened to you.

Something must've frightened her.

I was swimming when she bolted away for some reason.

[water splashing]

[soft jazz music ♪]

[gasping]

♪♪

[gasping]

[moaning]

[applause, laughter]

Beautiful!

Very nice.

Bravo! Bravo!

[slurring] Why are they applauding?

I didn't like her at all. She bored me.

I'm better than that.

Show us, then!

[laughter]

There's nothing to it!

I could do it better!

[laughter]

That little bitch turns you on, right?

Well, I thought she was pretty good.

What did you call her a bitch for?

Because that's what she is!

That makes three of us.

So am I.

And if that gets a rise out of you

wait 'til I'm through with you!

Okay, that's enough.

Easy does it.

I'm still thirsty.

I want another drink.

You think I'm drunk.

Well, I'm not!

I'm sober as a tee-teetotaling judge!

And if you think she put on a show,

wait 'til you see mine!

[laughter]

[laughing]

[jazz music ♪]

Oh!

[laughter]

Come on!

Wait and see!

That's enough now!

She's pissed.

The broad's pissed. - She is pissed.

Ah! Whoo!

[laughter]

♪♪

Come back here!

[laughter, applause continues]

♪♪

[laughter]

Oh, yeah!

Ah! Ah!

♪♪

Take it off!

[laughter]

Yeah.

- I'd do her. - Yeah.

[laughter]

Come on now! That's enough!

Come back here!

- [Cecilia] I'm stuck. - Bitch.

[laughter]

♪♪

Fuckin' A!

♪♪

Come on, that does it. We're going home.

[grunting]

Come on, get up! Come on!

♪♪

Come on!

[groaning]

Damn it!

[laughter]

♪♪

[laughter]

♪♪

[groaning] No!

No!

Ah!

Party's over. Come on.

[laughter]

Hey, stop!

[birds chirping]

[waves lapping]

[car drives away]

[boat horn sounds]

[boat horn sounds]

[boat horn sounds]

How 'bout that! The dancing girl!

What do you know?

Hang on.

I can tell she's gonna run.

She might at that.

Let's catch her.

[jazz music ♪]

What good do you think that'll do you, huh?!

How the hell can she run so fast on high heels?!

I'll never know!

♪♪

Shit.

Come on, you guys!

[cries out]

No!

You got her.

No!

Leave me alone!

No!

No!

[men laughing] [Cecilia cries out]

- Yeah! - No!

- Get on up here. - No!

[men laugh] [Cecilia grunts]

[crying out]

No!

You're gonna get it!

[crying out]

- Look, she kicks! - Oh, shit!

Get outta the way!

No!

[men chattering]

Hold onto her legs!

[groans]

I got her.

I got seconds!

♪♪

[grunting]

[grunting continues]

[music fades ♪]

So you finally came around.

[ambient music ♪]

[birds chirping]

[Cecilia] Any idea where he is?

[Antonin] No, but I known with whom he is.

Her name is Ruth and she's American.

She's the daughter of an oil magnate...

...or is it gas?

[Cecilia] How could he leave this way...

...knowing the state I'm in?

When they found you that day in the weeds in very bad shape,

he said, "I hope she'll be okay.

In any event, she probably got a big kick out of the whole thing."

When you came to and it looked like you'd be all right,

he went away with Ruth, whom he had met a few days before.

[Cecilia] Where did they go?

[Antonin] They left for the far east, but I don't know exactly where

or how long they'll be gone.

He said you'd understand.

He said that you'd made a pact and that you didn't stick to it.

[Cecilia] So he knows about Kan?

[Antonin] Of course. André is an intelligent man.

All he had to do was bring Kan's coat back to his brothers.

[Cecilia] What can I do?

[Antonin] The question is, do you still love André?

[Cecilia] I do.

I swear I love him.

You know, this thing with Kan was just plain crazy.

It was... well, poetry.

Poems are usually very short.

Too short.

[Antonin] We're the ones who shorten poetry to our measure.

[Cecilia crying]

Cecilia!

[crying continues]

[birds chirping]

Poor woman.

With or without freedom,

we remain... victims.

Always the victim...

...of a man's world.

Yes. And you know why?

It's because we're slaves of love, that's why.

That's how it is.

We may try our best, but...

...it's useless.

Just try to relax.

[gentle music ♪]

Don't think about him anymore.

Don't think about him.

He doesn't deserve you any more than the others do.

You're right.

I love you, darling.

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

André is here... downstairs.

He told me everything.

He can't live without you.

All these girls,

and there haven't been that many...

...it was just to make you jealous.

He doesn't want to keep on living this way.

You decide...

...either it's him or it's her.

He'll wait downstairs for a few minutes.

If you don't come...

...he'll leave and never come back.

[piano playing ♪]

Oh!

Is this for good?

It's for good.

[soft jazz music ♪]

♪♪

♪♪

[music fades ♪]