Original subtitles

A ROUND OF PLEASURE

It's nothing, honey, it's a horn.

Oh!

Please!

What?

Can you hook me one?

A what?

A crab.

Are you scared?

Ah, it's funny to fish with a woman!

Well...

A nice one, look.

I have one!

You're a real champion!

Can you unhook it?

Of course.

You're so scared!

No.

If we made love?

Here?

There's no problem.

If someone came?

They'd enjoy it. No one will come.

I want it so bad.

A FILM BY CLAUDE CHABROL

It's beautiful. We'll come back.

Yes, we will.

We'll come back.

Where are you going, Daddy?

Getting some logs.

Can I come with you?

You'd be better in bed. It's 9:00.

Oh! For once!

Yes, for once.

I know your story. It's the same every night.

She's six.

She sees her friends going to bed later.

-No. -It's not her fault.

No. Five minutes each time, she'll end up at the Castels.

Come on, honey. Pack up and go to bed.

Goodnight, my baby. Goodnight, my dear. Go to sleep.

Daddy, can you tell me a story?

I'm turning it off.

You really don't want to sleep?

No, a story.

Nixon or Brejnev?

-No. -What, then?

You know.

It wouldn't be the...

Yes, Daddy, you found it!

The little...

Yes, Daddy!

The little...

You found it!

...chaperone.

Yes, Daddy, you found it.

What little chaperone? What color?

Red!

Are you bored?

No, not at all.

Why do you ask?

You know you're not supposed to cut lettuce?

I don't care!

Do you still love me?

Yes.

For eight years?

Yes.

You're crazy!

And you?

Would it bother you if I slept with another girl?

How do you want me to know?

In other words, do I have to try?

Philippe?

Yes?

Has it already happened?

Yes.

Often?

Five or six times, when you were traveling.

It's classic. It's no problem.

You said so!

No, it's everyone.

Yes, all men.

Look, spare me the public places,

but it's like smoking a cigarette or having a drink.

And you?

What me?

Have you done it?

You know I haven't!

How can you ask me that?

There are so many strange, completely unexplainable things.

We'd fall over backwards if we knew.

Look me in the eyes.

I wouldn't be upset.

It's not important. We won't speak about it.

It's never happened?

Never!

What's wrong with you tonight?

Nothing. It just came to me, like that.

It's now or never to respond.

If I learned one day, I'd be very angry.

So?

No.

Esther?

Yes?

-You should try. -What?

If you meet someone else.

Sleeping around,

for people, means cheating. Prove to us it's false.

Who's coming tonight?

Katkof, Isabelle, Michel, Fernand.

That hurts!

Who else?

Annie, François, and his friend.

What friend?

I forgot his name.

The one with brown hair, coming from Tokyo.

I don't like him.

He's the guy who knows everything. I don't like him much.

No, me neither.

He's the sort who speaks by procedures, tics.

I don't know. "Paranoid,

"La Défense, what foot."

What are you making us?

A blanquette de veau.

I love blanquette de veau.

Put a lot of lemon in.

Yes, I know.

Always!

It's not reduced enough.

Be careful. Don't force the heat.

It will harden the meat.

Just before serving,

pour the sauce in a pot, on a high heat.

-And if it attaches-- -I know, I know.

No need to chop so fine. It's a puree.

When I start, I finish.

There they are!

Keep your apron on. What are you doing?

Hello.

Hi, children. How are you?

Me too. Tequila extra dry.

-Do you have any lemon? -Over there.

We'll make some margaritas and get drunk.

Hello, little man. How are you?

Hi, honey. How are you?

All these people are here.

You have a nice apron!

Hello.

Hello, you.

We can't work here.

Get away from my stove!

Come on.

Louise, you come with me.

Michel, hurry up. We're thirsty.

Well, if you throw us out...

Come, come!

Do you know Habib?

You've come from Tokyo, I hear?

We must have seen each other.

At Castel's, perhaps.

Surely, yes.

I often forget what I do.

He brought his guitar.

I'm not surprised.

Esther, where's the lemon press?

-Here. -You'll see what you'll see.

Margaritas.

Tell me where the salt is and I'm done.

-Under the sink. -Thanks.

-Annie, a plate, please. -OK.

Here, my boy. Do you want me to help you?

Yes, wash this. Clean.

Sir?

Can I go with you?

You haven't eaten yet? She hasn't eaten?

Yes, an artichoke, a steak, and a yogurt.

-She finished it all. -Good.

Good, my baby. Now, you go to bed.

-You put her to bed? -Are you coming?

I can't. I have work to do.

Say goodnight.

Come on.

Say goodnight to daddy.

That's it. Come and say goodbye.

Will you tell me a story?

I can't always tell you stories.

Tomorrow, I promise.

She's the happiest, she's going to bed.

Careful, everyone. This will hurt.

You were long.

All nudity will be chastised.

This is the wrong love story.

Crazy Sex.

You have to do it, gentlemen.

Garbo isn't bad. It's a memory.

The Destroyers, The Holiday Mistresses.

All a Life. La Bonzesse. And The Longest Day.

The Longest Day.

Do you remember?

-Ah, guys. -What form!

Wait, it's not over.

The Modern Woman's Sex Life.

The Destroyers. The Strokers.

Wait. La Bonzesse.

And Miss Innocence in The Destroyers.

I'd like that!

And The Irony of the Sort.

And Two Big Girls in a Pajama.

My dear, my honey.

Again! Again!

Your skin is so soft.

Again.

Shall I open the curtains?

Yes, halfway.

That's nice of you!

Close a bit more. My eyes hurt.

Croissants! I love it.

You'll love it. They're straight from the oven.

Where are the others?

They left an hour ago.

Where are you going?

Don't ask!

This rural genius is coming to inspect the dead trees.

I have a lot of work.

You look like a llama.

What did I ask for?

You have a llama's nose.

Thanks!

All people look like an animal. You're a llama.

Are you proud to look like a llama?

If it pleases you!

Philippe?

Yes?

Do you love me?

Yes, you're my little llama, who I love.

I love you too.

This thing's in the way.

I'm very happy, even if it shocks you.

What do you think of Esther?

She's great. You know it.

Sometimes, I wonder why I love her, but I do.

She has parts that bother me, but it's not important.

Deep down, she has weaknesses that are touching.

She's beautiful and sensitive.

I could look at her forever.

Your melons are expensive. They're not even ripe.

My melons aren't expensive!

Give me a kilo of peaches.

Why are you laughing?

I'm not laughing!

Liar. I can see you're laughing.

Because you said "peaches".

What?

You shorten your long vowels.

And you close the open ones.

Not at all.

Peaches, butter, chocolate.

Next time, I'll do the market alone.

Let's see. Buy some chocolate.

OK.

Ma'am.

I'd like some...

Some what?

Chocolate.

41, 42, 43,

44, 45, 46,

47, 48...

I like this spot.

I'll never forget it.

I'm very happy.

Athenian denouncer, ten letters.

Sycophante, with "Y" and "PH".

Crazy, you know everything!

Everyone knows that.

Not me.

Because you're a little turkey.

Did you sleep with Habib?

Yes.

I don't like him.

Because you're racist!

He's very nice.

Perhaps, but he's the sort I don't like.

How is he in bed?

Incredible.

You're not in love with him?

Are you OK?

I like him, that's it.

More than the others? Than Michel or Katkof?

I don't know. How do you want me to know?

It's funny.

It's funny we're here.

No! Let's live problem-free.

You're speaking girl. Men always pose.

Tell me.

Yes?

Are you OK?

Is something wrong?

We promised we'd tell each other everything.

Of course, of course.

Everything will be fine.

Everything will be fine if you love me.

But I love you. That has nothing to do with it.

I hope not.

The other guys, other girls, it's preventative.

We have to keep repeating it.

I slept with Isabelle.

Ah! Was it good?

Meh.

That's it?

Aren't you jealous?

No.

Not even a little?

I can't say that I'm bouncing with joy.

I don't care.

When I think a year ago, you would have killed me.

We were stupid!

Seven letters, glass for blind person?

Monocle.

Come and see.

What is it?

Come.

What's in your hand?

Bastard, you know I hate that!

Come. I'll show you something.

What a horror!

Shh, it's life.

Go faster? We have the whole party to eat.

Do you know what day it is?

No.

June 27.

-So? -Nothing?

Nothing at all.

You're going strange.

Over time, everything was engraved in your head,

the dates, steps in life.

I was wrong.

The past is the past. We don't live for memories.

For what, then?

I wonder what else we own.

I'm still young. I prefer to think of the future.

Because you think the future is the youth?

The future is death, my poor girl.

June 27, one year ago, I told you we were free.

Here, among others, what I put in the passive

of official science.

Why is she hiding hieroglyphical manuscripts from Easter Island?

Why does she not speak of the 30,000-year-old maps

from the secret city of Patala,

the capital of the Mu Empire?

Why does she deny the exact precision

of the terrestrial meridian

of the pyramidal cubit?

Who made the invention disappear...

Who is that?

A friend of Habib's.

What's his name?

Rosco.

First or last name?

Surname. He hides his first name.

He has a theory that the first name is a magical thing

that only belongs to oneself, a symbol of identification.

...to jugulate the imagination,

as if we were afraid of big initiating syntheses.

A bit of Pinard?

No, thanks.

To the living room.

-No, I don't want to. -I have a friend who...

Be careful.

It's true. At 40, you should be careful.

How? Me, belly?

That's not nice!

He's great, right?

Who?

Rosco.

That's the word I was looking for!

You're wrong.

He's able to build an atomic bomb all by himself,

with no tools.

Esther, stop being stupid!

I swear, everyone says so.

Who, everyone? Habib?

In any case, his ideas on Mozart are true.

-They're the same as mine. -I forgot my cigarettes.

-My dear. -Excuse me.

Any idiot ends up saying the truth.

It's like a broken clock.

Twice a day, it's right.

-That's not bad. -Go and get us a drink.

What can I say?

Where's Esther? Washing up?

Look,

you shouldn't bother Esther about Rosco.

Sorry, I heard everything.

How she can take that clown seriously, I don't know.

Shit! I taught her good taste.

I tried to instill a bit of a critical sense in her,

and there she is, in her pyramidal cubit,

waiting for the zen or whatever.

She's a girl, they can't help it! I'm warning you. Be careful.

And what?

Philippe, I beg you. Be careful.

Stop being stupid. Not only won't I shut up,

but I'll annoy him all night.

What are you doing here?

The dishes!

They have to be done.

Of course!

It's true.

Push over a bit.

Oh!

Hands down! I'm working!

I want you.

OK, I know you. Let me work!

I love your ass.

As my granddad said, "Enough for a handful!"

You're an asshole on the outside!

How do you keep it like that?

Thank you. You really know how to speak to women!

Ah, no! Stop. I'm telling you!

Look, stop.

Stop, please.

Stop wriggling around.

To the attic, then.

And you're messing up my service!

The primordial liberty is in the absence of desire.

There's this ritual action with the two hands

on the statues of gods.

I'm untying the knots of desire.

Lie!

Why a lie?

Because I said so, and I'm always right.

That can't be enough.

First, liberty is a common place starting to annoy me,

exactly like pollution,

acupuncture, or sociology.

Then, wanting one thing almost always leads to the opposite.

It was by establishing liberty

that the French Revolution invented the passport.

Give me another one, honey.

And listen well, my dear friend.

Those who speak of liberty are always poor guys

terrorized by their mothers-in-law

or tied up like sausages.

Exactly, they want it to change.

Not really.

Very few people truly want to be free.

When they are, it's not always funny.

Liberty is emptiness, with the anguish of emptiness.

It's responsibility, so solitude.

They'll never admit it,

but they prefer their slavery.

It's security,

with a salary, bonuses, insurance.

A slave is clearly better-treated than a free man

because he belongs to you.

He's dressed up, he's cleaned up, he's a negotiable value.

To live happy, let's live alienated.

Liberty is a kick in the ass.

-I think-- -You mustn't think.

I think that a man like Gandhi, who liberated his people--

Let's speak!

You went to Calcutta,

walked over the cadavers,

the famines, the revolts, the millions of deaths?

Non-violence is beautiful!

We can't deny that--

Your Mahatma killed more people than Stalin and Hitler together.

You want a drink?

No, thanks.

I do.

I'm going to bed.

You annoyed him.

-Who? -Rosco.

I'm glad.

It wasn't very nice.

You who claims to be a perfect host.

I don't care. Does that bother you?

In any case, if you care about what I think you do!

It's always you, you, you!

Don't pull that face. It's for your own good.

Are you still my llama?

I'm going up.

Philippe!

Yes?

Are you sleeping with Annie?

Why?

Because if you're sleeping with Annie, I'll sleep with Habib.

Do what you want.

Philippe!

Oh my!

Well then!

What's going on?

It's no longer a party.

It's always like this.

It's more the belly.

Sorry, I don't know what it is.

Yet in the kitchen, you seemed so keen.

-Shh, we drank too much. -Speak for yourself.

Coming.

Ah, shit!

Shit!

I'm ashamed.

Don't worry.

But I want it. I don't get it. It's stupid.

Philippe, stop playing.

Don't worry, it happens. It's not a problem.

In any case, I'm not susceptible.

Your heart is beating.

Still happy!

Shh, let me listen.

It's funny.

It's like soldiers arriving.

One, two, one, two.

One, two, one, two.

Stop. You're scaring me.

You're nice.

Yes, I know.

I love you.

Liar.

Liar.

I want to love you.

It's not the same.

I wonder.

Bodies are strange.

How?

Always the same.

Breasts, a belly,

thighs.

You get lost.

Yet...

Did you sleep well?

Is that the garden jam?

Yes.

We'll have great fruit this year.

It's just my prune trees that are dying!

What's wrong?

They're getting old. It's a pain.

It will be like thin cows.

We'll need some money for the groceries.

The money is in the back pocket of my pants.

Take what you need.

What's that?

A guitar.

Ah!

François got it half price for me.

Are you going to start?

You should always play a musical instrument.

It helps you think.

Think about what?

Everything.

And why the guitar?

It's the easiest.

Less effort for a better understanding.

Let's go and see my trees.

-What's wrong? Tell me! -Nothing.

-Why that face? -I'm not pulling a face.

Yes, you are.

You don't like being here?

It'd be a shame.

What?

Look, we can allow ourselves everything in life,

share women,

walk with an omelet on our heads,

and even play guitar,

as long as you don't philosophize.

It would be stupid, because of a mistake,

to spoil the essential, right?

What is the essential?

If you don't know, I wonder why we ever met.

It's always the same. It all comes back to you.

You decide what counts and I just validate.

So? What's wrong with that?

I too was taught how to live.

Come on, honey. We're silly.

This one is dead.

It will cost more than I feared.

Look, Philippe.

Yes?

Why invest so much in something with such little yield?

It only just keeps our house.

That's not bad.

We could find better.

You really want to stay here?

But Esther, it's our house.

It's our house.

It's not our house. We rent it, and it's expensive.

There are better ones, closer to Paris,

or even in Paris.

Perhaps, but I feel like I was born here.

Élise was six months old when we arrived here.

My memories start in this house.

It's as if my grandmother built it.

You think?

It's better for both of us.

We need other things.

Sometimes, you have to know when to change.

Daddy!

Yes!

How are you, Louise?

What madness! It will be better tomorrow.

I hope so.

Are you happy to move?

Yes, that way, I'll go to school in Paris.

You want to go to school that much? I didn't like it.

Let's see mommy.

It's fun to change scenery a bit.

We'll laugh, have fun.

Don't you think it's more fun?

Oh yes!

So?

I've nearly finished. All good down there?

It's a mess!

Are we going to Paris?

Yes, honey.

You'll have a new room, nicely painted,

with all your toys.

Nice and new.

Yes.

I forgot my little horse.

We were about to forget your oldest toy.

Let's take it with us.

Come on.

Here's your little horse.

I'm selling the plantation.

This is my offer.

I'll give your money back and help you in your job.

We'll be associates.

It's not really for you, serious work.

You know, I like doing everything.

You send it to me. Yes, OK.

Why not?

I won't spit on fresh money.

Deep down, Esther wasn't wrong.

It was charming there, but we were stagnating.

There's so much to do in life.

Show me.

There. Great! Very good. Like that.

Élise, give me the hammer.

No, me!

There.

OK.

It's quite nice, don't you think?

Yes, responsibilities, huge houses,

friends, I'd had enough of it.

Me too. And all the dishes.

And we'll be able to start traveling a bit,

do little bistros, go to Brittany.

Look!

If we spent Christmas in Ceylan

or in Myanmar?

You wouldn't like that?

Philippe, you won't be happy.

Ah?

I want to work.

No, I find that fantastic.

What do you want to do?

Habib offered me a job.

Ah!

In his music editing businesses.

As we know everyone,

he thought I could be used in public relations,

see journalists, singers.

It must be fun, right?

Yes. Élise, stop!

Stop, Élise.

When are you starting?

As early as possible.

Well, we mentioned Brittany.

I too have to start early.

If we went for a look to get in shape?

Yes.

Oh, yes, Mommy, yes.

Let's not waste time. Let's go immediately.

I can't. I have an appointment with the decorator

that I can't shift.

Tonight?

Look, we'll leave at 7:00. We'll eat at Loué,

Vègre crayfish, Jasnières wine.

We arrive in Saint-Malo, and off we go!

OK!

What time is it, Daddy?

7:10.

Is that a lot?

Just a bit too much.

Will you teach me how to play cards?

You'd be better off cleaning up.

Mommy is coming.

I'll put my hat on.

-Hello? -Who is it?

Be quiet.

Hello?

Yes.

OK. Too bad.

Call me back.

Who was it?

Mommy.

-Is she coming? -No.

-She's not coming? -No.

So, we're not leaving?

Look, honey, we'll still laugh.

You can watch TV until 10:00.

We'll have a party.

Well!

The least you can say is hello.

Head in the clouds.

Give me a light.

What were you doing? A business meeting?

I was at La Coupole with François, Michel,

and friends, and at the cinema.

You couldn't call me?

You know how it is.

You have to go, ask for a token, the cabin is taken.

You should see your head in the mirror.

Oh, is she there?

Yes, I hate sleeping alone.

I'll put her in bed.

My baby.

I'll take her.

Come on. Bedtime.

I need to speak to you.

Tomorrow. I'm tired.

No, I know you.

Tomorrow, there'll be something else, shopping, friends.

You're here now.

Please, I'm sleeping.

I don't care. You should have come home earlier.

Look, my girl, I'll tell you one thing.

We had a pact. You're not respecting it.

We were never to lead such lives.

It was supposed to bring us together.

Yet I think it's to spite me that you want to work,

see your friends,

and give your stupid philosophies.

I'm speaking to you!

Don't go to sleep. I'll throw water on you.

I'll set the alarm for 7:00.

She has to go to the dentist.

I've had enough of looking after her.

What makes me sick

isn't the creeps around you, it's that you want to be there.

Are you listening?

Oh, yes.

Don't give me more of a reason to think you're a cow.

What's horrible, when you're disappointed,

you despise yourself, you're not up to it.

That's it.

You, you, always you.

Well! You return at dawn, leave your daughter,

you're not interested

in anything but yourself,

you pamper these idiots

simply because they flatter you.

And I'm the selfish one.

You don't realize that people can change.

I've changed.

-That's it. -"Change". Another thing.

Or you're an asshole, with no hope,

or you're not interested in changing.

I'm warning you.

If we split, it's for good.

We'll never see each other again.

Is that clear?

Get up.

Get up. It's time.

And make coffee!

Ma'am started thinking. Go figure.

She thinks by herself.

"I'm a free woman.

"I undo the umbilical cords of wisdom."

-Come and dance. -Shut up.

"I'm all

"of Bergier, Pauwels, Bouvard, and Pécuchet.

"My new job

"is a great priestess in Egypt or Tibet, depending on my mood.

"And I deliver my oracles in the name of Bécassine Bovary."

A drink, Bécassine?

A drink?

Poor bastard!

Oh no, Esther!

Poor thing, you're carrying on.

-Come dance. -Shut up.

I've had enough of this crisis.

-She's over 18. -Come dance.

Give me a cigar.

Come dance. Come.

Leave me alone.

In front of this mountain of stupidity, I'll break everything.

I've had enough!

Sorry, honey, I woke you up.

Come and clean up.

Sorry about yesterday.

But admit that you're going too far.

Do what you like, as long as there are no consequences.

How do you want there to be no consequences?

It's what we wanted to prove, dear.

No obligations,

but if you see Habib, Zoroastro a bit less,

and their wise men, it would help things.

You've stopped being you. It's terrible.

Terrible like madness.

Who's that?

Aristide Bruant.

-Who's Aristide Bruant? -A singer. He's dead.

And who is that one?

Landru, an assassin.

An assassin is someone who kills others.

Is he bad?

In principle, yes. Well, sometimes...

-Is she nice with you, Mommy? -Yes!

Aren't you sad to see her less now she works?

Yes.

Does she take you walking?

Yes.

Do you see friends sometimes?

Yes.

Which friends does she see the most?

All of them.

-Michel? -Yes.

-Katkof? -Yes.

-Habib? -Yes.

-Rosco? -Who's Rosco?

He's small, brown hair, serious,

with big cow's eyes, a guru, a wizard.

What's a wizard?

A wizard is a man who looks after everything,

what you should and shouldn't do,

how to eat your soup, everything.

-I think we know each other? -A man who knows everything?

Absolutely everything.

I went to yours in the countryside a while ago.

And we saw each other eight days ago,

with Annie, Katkof, Georges, and many others.

Of course. Sit down, please.

Your name is Sylvia, right?

That's right, yes. Sylvia Murdoch.

Is this your daughter?

Yes.

You're lucky.

Sorry. I don't speak good French.

But how is it...

What do you do when you meet older women?

It's often a drama.

I'm sorry for the incident the other night.

What incident?

I didn't stop yelling at poor Esther.

I was a bit stupid.

Me too.

The result wasn't the same. I'm ashamed.

No, it's normal.

I've been married three times. We didn't stop arguing.

One explains the other perhaps.

Do you want a drink?

A pastis.

-Oh! Two 51s, please. -OK.

Tell me.

If you gave me your phone number?

OK.

Give me yours.

224-87-42.

43, 44...

Are you American?

Yes. No, English.

But I had two French husbands.

I've been here a long time.

Why are you looking at me like that?

You have a serious air.

No way! I've done all sorts of stupid things.

It's strange what happens to me while aging,

but when I examine a face,

I don't know, it makes me laugh.

Why were you upset at her?

Esther? All sorts of reasons.

She doesn't stop speaking about liberty.

It's fashionable, like the guitar.

Stop, Élise.

Thanks, honey.

Are you still afraid of crabs?

Sorry?

Are you still afraid of crabs?

I don't love them.

And spiders?

Same.

On that point, at least, you're the same.

Mommy, I can't.

Wait, I'll help you.

All these women liberating, deconditioning themselves,

who speak about dignity,

they're afraid of a lizard or a butterfly.

-There. -Thanks, Mommy.

Do you think that's adult? Dignified?

And stop singing like a maid when I speak to you.

We didn't raise pigs together.

When you've finished your bovarysm crisis,

can I piss in peace?

Daddy, can I sleep with the cards?

If you want, honey.

Have you come to kiss me?

Wait, two minutes.

One, two, there we go, I've finished.

You're cheating.

One minute is 60 seconds. Count to 120.

One, two, three, four,

five, six, seven, eight,

nine, ten, 11, 12,

13, 14, 15, 16, 17,

-18... -Stop. You're stressing me.

Daddy, can you tell me a story?

Tomorrow. Tonight, I'm very tired.

Goodnight, Daddy.

Esther, I know you're there.

It's stupid to not answer. I'll break the door down.

Fine.

Esther, get up.

Get up. Or shall I help you?

Esther, that's pointless. Show yourself.

Get dressed and come.

OK, but get out.

Are you afraid we'll see you naked?

We both know you by heart.

Don't humiliate her.

It's not the best way to pick her up.

Picking her up isn't the main thing. I want to save her from here.

I don't care who she sleeps with,

but I don't want her to be destroyed.

I'm not destroying anything.

I'm not just speaking about you.

Errors aren't made for fragile brains.

She's leaving for Korzybski,

who thinks he can refute Aristotle, the idiot.

But she hasn't read either.

She badmouths Descartes

because you all do,

it's in the wind, and you're happy conformists,

without knowing what he wanted.

That's dangerous.

The world has changed.

How so?

We don't need to know.

We live.

OK, but we keep quiet.

What's she doing? Isn't she ready?

Esther!

Sorry about the door.

Me too.

Esther.

I'm warning you, I want to sleep.

Yes.

No one has a nice role in this story.

No one is looking, I hope.

I have to speak to you.

I know.

Go on, but let it be the last time.

-Do you mind if I smoke? -Yes, but if it can help you.

I don't like being spoken to in that tone.

I do what I want.

That means nothing. I impose my conditions.

I'm listening.

We'll restart like before.

OK.

No more wizards, wise guys, thinkers,

and naturally, Habib.

Yes or no?

Yes.

You work, you sleep with who you want,

but at 7:00, you're here.

OK.

You look after Élise, who you've completely abandoned.

Not true, but I accept.

You look after me too, like before.

OK. Is that it?

Basically.

Well, let's sleep.

Not so fast. Are we good or not?

We're good.

So, kiss me.

There we go.

You love me, I love you.

It will make the others lie.

Good. Let's sleep.

Let's make love.

Let's make love.

OK, let's make love.

Stop.

Bitch! Slut! Whore! Tart!

Damn bitch!

Beg for forgiveness or I'll kill you,

bitch! Beg for forgiveness!

Forgiveness. Ask for it!

Forgiveness!

Take a foot. You'll really take it!

Here, lick it.

Lick it!

Lick it or I'll kill you!

Lick!

-Here! -Hello.

-Hello. -Can I come in?

Yes.

It's nice here.

How did you get the address?

I called. I came across the cleaning lady.

Sit down.

Do you want a drink?

Good idea.

It's so hot!

I'm sorry, the fridge is broken. I have no ice.

I don't care.

Thanks.

Sylvia,

would you like...

Would you like to marry me?

Yes.

Me too.

-It's lukewarm. -Sorry.

Things aren't well with Esther?

She left. It became a nightmare.

Are you sad?

Oh, no. I can breathe.

Where is she?

I don't know. Disappeared.

And the girl?

I put her in a school temporarily.

Old Louise went back to her dump.

I'd always dreamed of being alone with a shirt, a toothbrush.

Light, free.

And Esther, what does she think?

What will she live off?

I don't know.

I haven't seen her.

Dry!

I'll tell you something terrible and that I'm ashamed of,

but that's how it is.

We weren't from the same scene.

That serious?

At first, no.

But then, we don't speak the same language.

You know the proverb, "The real person always comes out."

It means what it means.

I'm the same.

I got married, like an idiot.

I didn't care.

And I cared even less.

Do you know who my second husband was?

Habib!

What? That's stupid!

Yes.

I had two children with him.

Two boys.

One is four and one is two.

Brothers for Élise.

Where are they?

In Scotland, with my family.

What a mess! My God!

Tell me. Habib.

What's it like,

looking for more details?

When you look for more details, no one is no one.

At first, when I met him, he did nothing.

He played cards, hung around.

My family was furious, but I loved him.

He's nice, you know.

And not that stupid, despite what you think.

I don't care anymore.

Will you divorce?

We're not married, go figure. Couldn't be bothered.

We were good that way.

Philippe?

Yes?

I'm a stranger to you.

Not at all.

We've barely seen each other twice.

And each time, we were a bit drunk.

I should laugh, you know.

No one is stopping you.

You're really not sad anymore?

Oh, no. Delivered. Rested.

You won't regret anything?

No. It's over. Dead and buried.

Yes.

I declare you husband and wife.

You're a real thug, but I love you.

Ah, it's hard, guys.

We're nearly there.

Is that the car?

Yes.

Are you sure you can drive it in that state?

Yes. And I'll prove it.

Be careful. If the cops stop you?

I have nothing against them.

I'll tell them nice things.

Yes, but think of the breath test?

I'll screw him.

And the little kiss before!

You're my old friends.

Bye, Philippe.

I love you both.

You too.

You've been nice.

Look at the state of him.

You're all nice!

-Bye! -Bye!

Oh!

He hasn't left!

Come on!

I think I have one.

No, you must be snagged. Pull.

-Pull. -It's swimming!

You're a fantastic, wonderful girl.

Can you unhook it?

I think so.

It's beautiful. Do you want me to put a crab on?

No, I'll try.

What? You're not afraid of crabs?

These little things? Don't be stupid!

Philippe, what's wrong, honey?

Don't you feel well?

Yes.

What's wrong, Philipe?

Nothing. Nothing.

But you seem strange.

Really?

It's as if you're crying.

You're crazy. You're crazy.

No, the air is so fresh.

It's the wind, the salt,

this damn seaspray.

I'm suffocating.

That's better.

It's so beautiful here.

Maybe it was wrong to come.

Do you like your school?

Oh, yes, we eat well!

What, for example? For lunch today?

Puree, meat, green beans,

and chocolate mousse.

You say "chocolate" like mommy.

Chocolate.

"Peaches, butter, and chocolate."

Peaches.

Wouldn't you like us to live together,

like before?

Who?

Mommy, you, and I, in a nice house.

With Louise?

With Louise, a little cat, birds.

We'd walk.

Oh, look ahead.

Looks like she's laughing.

-Take the photo. -Thanks.

With Louise, and I'm saying little cats.

I'll make you a swing. We'd walk in the forest,

we'd pick blackberries, mushrooms.

Do you want that?

Oh, yes, Daddy.

Have you seen mommy again?

Yes, on Sunday.

What did she say?

Nothing.

Ah yes! She said she'd buy me

tights and a coat.

And did she say anything about me?

No.

Are you sure?

Yes, I'm sure.

Look how pretty it is,

these trees, this light.

Is she not a bit sad, Mommy?

No.

She's nice, you know. You have to love her a lot.

I only love mommy and you.

What do they teach you at school?

To read.

And they also teach me

to read, write.

You know, I drew

a big house for mommy.

Was she happy?

Yes.

-Tell me, honey, are we... -We're getting there.

Ah, I want to go.

Show me.

-You don't want to help me? -Yes.

You don't want to tell mommy to come back with me?

Yes.

Us three again. We won't leave each other.

Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Yes.

I'm sad, you know, without mommy and you.

It's sad, things that should

be together that break.

Look, Daddy.

Will you buy me a kite?

Of course, honey.

Tell me, will you tell mommy? You won't forget?

Yes, she doesn't want to come back with you.

How so? Did she tell you?

-Yes, on Sunday. -Peanuts!

-Are bears bad? -Peanuts!

No one is really bad.

Throw that. It's the sixth.

-Peanuts? -Yes.

One franc, sir. Thanks.

I'll throw some peanuts to them.

Come here.

Throw them.

Élise?

Yes, Daddy?

You won't forget to tell mommy?

Tell her what?

What? You already forgot?

No.

Look. Think hard.

What did I say in the boat?

The boat?

Yes, on the enchanted river.

Think hard.

Tell mommy that you want to come back with her?

Yes. And don't forget.

-Can you do that? -Yes.

-What? -Daddy?

Yes.

Will you buy me a kite?

Yes.

I think I'll go for a walk.

Look, we don't have that much money, Philippe.

I'll get some next week.

A lot?

Not really, no. I'm in a bit of a pickle.

We have to pay the school, the dentist,

pay Katkof back,

and buy a dress or two. I have nothing to wear.

That's nice!

I think I'll go to London.

Why?

To sell some stocks.

You have some?

Look. How do you think I lived?

Do you have many?

Two or three million dollars.

No way! That's incredible!

Where is that money from?

My family. My parents are loaded.

Three castles and I don't know how many factories.

Factories of what?

Copper or aluminum. I can't remember.

Unfortunately, I have two stupid brothers.

Do they know we're married?

No. Remind me that I have to write to them.

Yes, I'll go for a walk.

I'm in a pickle.

It's nearly 11:00. You don't want to go to bed?

No.

You're not upset?

No, not at all.

I need to think.

I have complicated things, stupid problems.

Go on.

Sorry.

Where were you?

I'll tell you. I partied a bit.

I'm a bit drunk.

Very drunk, even.

I want to make love.

You know who I met this morning?

No.

Esther.

She's working. She seems good.

She works in an agency of I don't know what,

Avenue d'Iéna.

Wow! Don't be scared.

How are you?

Very good.

What are you doing here?

I work nearby.

What sort of work?

Secretary.

Do you like it? Do you earn well?

Does it pay well?

Not great, but...

Do you want to eat with me?

-No. -Don't be stupid.

Water has gone under the bridge.

I won't eat you.

And I need to speak about Élise.

Here, sir.

Not bad, that Margaux.

Is it 61?

Bravo. I'm proud you guessed.

I was a good student.

If it doesn't rain at harvest time, we'll have the year of the century.

I want you to come back.

Just like that, all of a sudden?

I can't live without you.

It's as if someone ripped out one of my organs.

All day long, I speak to you. I have endless conversations.

I try to tell you that we have to love music, the sea,

the forest, the beauty of things.

You have to love Élise and I again.

It's terrible, mortifying.

I don't even sleep.

Generally, you don't dream of what worries you.

I do. You're there.

We argue, we say stupid things,

we go to Brittany, we kiss,

we make love, sometimes.

What I experience is strange.

I can't find another word. Strange.

I spend my time

doing what we did, living what we lived.

I kept your empty perfume bottles.

I sniff them.

I touch what you touched.

I go by the streets you knew.

I pretend I'm you.

But at the same time, what helps me live, helps me die.

I could never return to Tahiti

or Honfleur, Brittany, Kashmir.

The word "never", do you know what it means?

I was born for joy.

Sometimes, rarely,

I forget things.

I go into the street, early,

the sun's out, the sidewalk is still wet,

I look at the flower sellers.

The air is light, I breathe.

The happiness makes me jump.

And then, it all collapses.

I say that I'm not allowed, everything is pointless,

flowers,

sun.

You want a cigarette?

No, thanks.

Often, I play our story out in my head,

as if it was someone else's.

It's frightening.

I feel sorry for the guy.

I wouldn't want to be him, not for anything.

And suddenly, I realize, he who has lost everything,

for whom all hope is prohibited,

who will never know happiness, not laughter,

is me.

And Élise? There's stll Élise.

No. You make an ensemble.

Élise is just half without you.

Seeing her makes me even sadder.

Speaking of Élise, did she do her job?

What job?

She didn't speak to you?

No.

Do you want to get back with me?

No.

Another one, please.

Before, it was the same.

You'll find what I'm asking strange,

but I need help.

How so?

Speaking to Esther.

To tell her what?

To come back.

We're in a funny situation, us two.

I married your ex-wife, you stole mine.

The world is small.

I didn't steal her.

She left like that, to do something else.

That's what I reproach her for.

She loved quality things,

and now... Let's not go back.

I've had enough of arguing non-stop.

Tell her I want her back.

She listens to you. Figure it out.

It's better for her, for Élise, and for me.

I'll try.

Your arguments are golden.

Tell her I've changed too,

that I won't hurt her. I'll be very nice. It's true.

Let's hope it works.

It has to. It has to.

You're my last chance.

Philippe.

Habib called me.

Really?

Do you want to get back with Esther?

-I don't want to talk about it. -Yes or no?

Yes or no.

Look what I found.

Mommy, Daddy wants to get back with you.

Where did you find that?

In Élise's homework.

I packed it away, not on purpose.

Look, I already told you.

I've never met a girl as good as you.

I thought you understood.

Understood what?

All this.

Esther is far from worth you.

She doesn't have your generosity nor your lucidity nor your heart.

Yet...

I know. I know her too much.

I know that one day, many of her things will surface.

Maybe even a treasure.

You love her.

Everyone jokes about you.

Katkof, Michel, they told me.

They know everything. They laugh about you.

I don't care.

Look, Philippe, we're married.

I'm your wife. I want to keep you.

I'd love for you to succeed.

I'm listening.

Ah, it's you! Hold the line. I'll put him on.

-Kisses. -Who is it?

Esther.

Hi.

OK. See you soon.

-She wants to see me. -Well!

Her aunt died.

A brave woman, simple, nice.

She raised her. I'm going.

When did it happen?

A few days ago.

They buried her the day before yesterday. I didn't even know.

Thanks for thinking of me.

You're the only one who knew her. On that note...

What?

I'm afraid of going alone.

Of all the cemeteries, this is the least fun.

-Do you know where she's buried? -No. It's written here.

I think it's far.

What did she die from?

Cancer. She never told me about it.

I love you more and more.

It really isn't the moment.

When then? We never see each other.

You really made a mistake.

How so?

Everything was fine when I was only your reflection.

Now that I exist a bit, you don't recognize me

because you've only ever known me through you.

Instead of helping me, you only judged me stupidly.

You should have let me leave. I would have returned.

I don't know how to be coordinated.

And I couldn't forecast. I was lost.

And if I left you,

if I forgot you completely, if I played dead,

would you return?

I don't know.

You wouldn't make me wait too long?

I know it's a bit stupid, loving your wife after ten years.

Your boyfriends must laugh.

No, it is a bit stupid.

Do you realize what our life would be if you returned?

Hell.

You wouldn't stop thinking about it in your head.

My God! You don't know.

You just have to be nice with me and I'll forget.

It's too easy to accuse me of these crimes

after making me commit them.

I only believe in transcendence,

in things that are beyond our reach,

beyond what we deserve.

If we're able to grasp them,

everything transforms suddenly.

The last mediocre becomes a god.

After everything we've suffered,

this hate, this tearing apart,

this hate that's like a love, a perverted love,

our life would be wonderful.

Our feelings would demand to be returned like a glove.

When we've been through ugliness, horror,

the miseries of a couple, everything is beautiful.

What you're saying is impossible.

Why impossible? I've never believed in great meaning.

You have to, Esther, you have to.

It must be here.

Yes, that's it.

Poor woman! Did she suffer much?

I don't know.

Come back with me, please.

I can't.

Why?

Do you love another man?

No, I can't.

Look, Esther, I've been too sad.

I've been too alone.

It's impossible that somewhere, there isn't

a compensation.

Something needs to balance what I've experienced.

I've been too sad. Too sad.

-What do you want? -Come back.

I can't!

No one will love you after.

Oh no!

What are you looking at in this wall?

Heads.

What do you mean, heads?

Marks. They all look like someone.

They're like clouds.

You can make what you want, your father, your mother,

your wife.

You have a visitor.

Ah!

How long have you been here?

I don't know.

Wait, 42 days.

Did you argue with everyone?

You have to think not.

Hello, honey.

You look like a little llama.

I brought pineapple, figs,

chocolate,

and my drawings.

That's nice.

Show me your drawings.

They're very pretty! You've progressed!

I have a lot more at school.

Give me the little horse.

No, honey, we're not allowed.

We'll give them to the scribe.

Do you still live here?

Always.

But tell me. Do you work hard at school?

Oh, yes! No, not really.

That's not good. It's important for later

to read and calculate.

Georges annoys me all the time.

Who's Georges?

What? You don't know him?

No.

He's a little boy. He annoys me.

Tell me. Who drove you here?

Michel.

And where is he?

Down below. He doesn't want to come, Daddy.

-Daddy? -Yes?

Why are there these bars?

To stop me from kissing you, my llama.

I hurt too much.

Daddy, where's mommy?

Traveling.

Will she be long?

No, you'll see her soon.

You'll give her a big, big kiss.

Promise me? You won't forget?

No.

You know, Daddy, I saw a gorilla.

You won't forget? You always forget.

No.

And you tell her...

What?

Nothing.

Perhaps one day, we'll be together again, all three of us.

That would be so nice.

Would you like that?

Oh, yes.

Daddy, will you stay here?

For now, yes.

A long time?

I don't know.

Perhaps two years. Perhaps a bit more.

Is that a lot?

For you, it's very, very long.

You'll have to count up to...

600 million.

Oh my.

One, two, three, four, five, six,

seven, eight, nine, ten, 11...

Stop.

You'll be big when you finish.

Come on!

33, 34, 35,

36, 37, 38, 39, 40,

41, 42, 43,

44, 45, 46,

47, 48, 49, 50,

51, 52, 53, 54,

55, 56, 57...

Pat Anderson Subtitling: Hiventy by TransPerfect