Tôt ou tard (1999) - full transcript

LOOKING BACK, YOU REALIZE
EVERY COINCIDENCE IS INEVITABLE…

You won't find me here.
I haven't arrived yet.

I've just come to take a look.

This is where I will be born.
My name will be Louis.

The hardest part was
choosing my parents.

At least, I thought
that was the hardest part.

They have to meet first,

which is easier
said than done. Why?

Follow me!

That's Eric, my dad.
Quite handsome, don't you think?

No, that's not my mom.
That would be too easy.



That's Anna.
She'll also have kids,

three, in ten years,
with a guy she's known forever.

Hold on. Would
you like to see him?

There he is. They'll be a good match,
don't you think?

Should we go and see my mom?

I warn you, it's
a bit of a trek.

Seatbelts on everyone. Let's go.

That's her, Catherine, my mom.

As soon as I see her, I go all soft inside
and just get so excited.

We're done with the introductions.
I'm going back to where I come from

to wait and send them little signs,
which they may or may not notice.

The rest is up to them.

Which is what I'm worried about.

Hello? Mr. Slansky. No, hold on!



I sent them back home
only once. One time!

Could you be out
on scaffolding in the freezing rain

all day?

Okay, I'll be expecting you.

Come!

There's another
that won't last long.

Why are you dressed up?

We're going to my parents'.
Thirty people are waiting.

Oh shit! Your uncle's ceremony!

- My dad's.
- Yes, of course, your dad's.

These are…

I totally forgot.

Fucking thing. Hang on.

Eric, please.

I'm coming.

It's the same
color as the carpet.

Thanks very much, miss.

Who's next?

Hello. I'm going to sing
"Tout pour un seul homme" by Maurane.

Have we got your details?

Right.

Well, of course, family jewels.

When's the next one?

The day after tomorrow.
I was really bad.

It was awful.

You'll be fine.
Don't worry about it.

Now, what do I want?

Poached salmon. 137 francs.

The menu looks
really interesting.

Poached salmon.

So you don't want…

Excuse me, waiter.

I've got no money.

Did you forget your checkbook?

No. I've just got no money.

So what now?

You can search all you like.
I haven't a cent.

I'll need to see your ID.

I don't have my bag.

Follow me, please.
We're going to see the manager.

- Can I help you?
- No, thank you.

Some help you are.

Police, please.

This is crazy.

It is crazy.

Go on. Get out.

Thank you.

Bet she's not even poor.

You really are an idiot.

Wait!

This is my place.

Good evening.

Good evening, Gino.

Consuelo Bella!

- A friend.
- Evening.

Two pizza royales
and a carafe of wine.

That's the second
time I've done that.

The first time
was less of a risk.

I was with my 85-year-old aunt.
Where do you live?

In a tiny studio flat.
Stylish but cheap.

And what do you do?

I write music
and play the piano.

But what I love
is what I do least. Singing.

No way, really? Me too!

You're a singer too? Where?

At home, mostly.

I earn a living by
being a stereotype.

Consuelo at your service.
Isn't that right, Gino?

Si, bella.

I'm a flamenco dancer
in this little tapas restaurant.

I get paid in tips.

Every now and then
I get to sing a little.

John! Come here.

I want you to meet Catherine.
She's a singer.

John's a musician.

Anything with keys.

I also sell my
voice for ads, jingles,

and I fail every audition.

My mom's the only person

who thinks I'm going to make it.

My parents never believed in me.

That might be better.

I would have
loved to be Spanish.

Stamping my feet
for no good reason,

singing, dancing.

There's no humor, just heart.

Adding humor to the flamenco

would be like
talking about AIDS in a musical.

And why not?

I like when music
is like real life.

Chance encounters,
opposites attracting,

the clash of personalities.

When I like a guy,

and I mean really like him,
I get nosebleeds.

Nosebleeds?

Picture the scene.
We're fooling around,

and then bam, my
nose starts bleeding.

The poor guy is rubbing my back
with ice cubes

while I'm bleeding
all over my new dress.

Know what?

Some guys like that,
because it's different.

Please, allow me.

There you go.

It's screeching.

It's supposed to.

Screech?

Will you take Benny out?

Are you listening?

Life stops when you play.

Yes, that's exactly how it is.

Are you taking Benny out?

Now? It's pouring.

Ten minutes or
he'll be blocked up.

We'll see about that.
Benny, come here.

Go to Mommy. Go on.

Shit, the rain.

You stay there.

- Hello?
- Christian? It's Eric.

Eric, no way. Where are you?

Where do you think? Prague.

What have you been doing?

Suffocating in silence.

Listen, that offer you made me,

does that still stand?
I just got the boot from the project.

What about Anna?
What will she think?

It'll only take ten
years to convince her.

Especially if I've lost the dog.
I'll call you back. Benny!

A dog?

Benny! Come here!

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. What are you doing?

Your audition was unsuccessful.

Here's your cassette. This isn't
what we're looking for now.

Hi. Come in. Thanks very much.

This place really is tiny.

It's cheap.

Who is this?

My mom, ten years ago.

Your mom's a singer?

She was.

Tuna in your salad?

It's my mom who sends me them.

She says, "When you're not rich,
you have to eat rich food."

When she was trying to make it
she ate so badly

she caught scurvy.

Did she make it?

No, she never made it.

Offenbach. Like that?

No, let's rap.

Okay, onto the serious stuff.
Take a look at that.

Azur Bar is looking
for a female singer and a waitress.

Thanks.

- We should go.
- No. You found it.

Come on. There'll
be at least 50 of us.

They do want a singer
and a waitress.

It doesn't look so seedy.

No, just ancient.

Shall we?

Thank you. Good night.

Are you here for the audition?
The stage is all yours.

For your accompaniment,
talk to The Beatles.

Your turn.

- That was great.
- Thank you.

Thank you.

- I was awful.
- Right.

It's like throwing yourself
out a tenth-floor window.

I was happy with that.
You can start on Saturday.

If you're interested,
I still need a waitress.

I'd rather die.

Travelling to Paris is hell,
but living there isn't.

I'm sick of packing
up all the time,

always on the move.

This is wrong.

So what are we going to do?

Empty the washing machine.

- We have to wait.
- For how long?

Five minutes.

Not the washing. I mean us!

If it's not dry by tomorrow...

You want your laundry?

What are you doing?

Eric, stop!

It's all good.

Eric, come back!

You drowned the dog!

No funny faces today?

Where were you?

In there.

Since when?

We love your funny faces.

I think my favorite one is…

I like when you
fix your hair too.

What do you do apart from that?

Do you know the Azur Bar?

Is that the one
with the bad singers?

Yes. I work there.

- Okay. So you're…
- A singing waitress.

Fancy a drink some time?

Sorry. I don't
drink with customers.

My name's Julien.

What an idiot.

What an idiot. Yes, I know.

Try listening.

I won't do it again.

It's not just that. Come here.

It seems like, as
soon as I turn my back,

you're up on that stage singing stuff
no one's heard before.

They're my own songs.

Listen,

here, the customers, the Belgians,
the Japanese, want the classics.

Stuff everyone can
enjoy. Do you get me?

Loud and clear, boss.

What are you having?

That was great, by the way.

Here for the bad singers?

I'm actually here to apologize.

Shit.

Shit!

You need to let him breathe.

Perfect timing!

We need ice cubes over here!

- Sit down.
- Head back.

This is going to feel cold.

More air!

You'll be fine.
It's clearing up.

I'm sorry.

It took me a long time
to decide to write to you

to tell you that I have decided
to go to Paris without you.

Farewell, my companion.
That's all we were really.

We were companions,
but we didn't share very much.

It's no one's fault,
my dear Benny.

We don't speak
the same language.

And that makes it hard
to understand each other.

I'll leave you to
your moist carpet.

Too many of my
dreams died there.

Tell your mom I did once believe

and that her kindness
did me a lot of good.

Now the music is taking me
far away from you,

to battles you wouldn't like.

Tell her, above all else,
that I tried. Really stress that

until she believes it. I tried.

PS. Remember what I taught you.

Loads of mom's friends
have silly plants.

Cut it out.

Hello?

Aline, guess what?

Eric?

Are you in Paris?

That's right.

Then come visit.

Of course.

Right. Okay.

Well, I never. That was…

Yes, I heard.

Is he just visiting?

No. He's back.

With what's-her-name, Sonia?

Anna! I don't know. He didn't…

Yeah. What about the music?
Is he still playing?

I guess so.

Don't start, Pierre.
Eric was smart enough to understand

he didn't have
the talent to make it.

It was about pride, not talent.

It was soloist or nothing.

And then he ends up in construction.
It never made sense to me.

I know. Which is why
he never came back.

Did he mention me at all?
Or the music conservatory?

- Not a word for his old teacher?
- He's coming tomorrow.

He told me he'd bring flowers.

Just make sure
you follow those directions.

Okay? I'm counting on you.
See you tomorrow.

I'm sorry. What was I saying?

I'm sorry. Christian
Vedel speaking.

You phoned at
just the right time.

I'm sitting with my
new partner right now.

I'll pass you over to him.

It's just the hall
and the corridors.

Piece of cake. Plus,
it's a concert hall.

Hello? Yes, Mr. Bauman.

The plans for the
hall? I would say…

We haven't got them.

…we'll need them.

Schedule a meeting.

When can we meet?

Tomorrow?

Yes. At eleven
o'clock? That's fine.

- Make it noon.
- Could we make it noon?

All right. Perfect.

Goodbye Mr. Bauman.

How about that?

We really need to
make some changes.

Number one, we're not trendy.

You can say that again.

I never know about
any of the cool places.

We've got no connections.

We're ambitious,
but only with what we like,

which nobody else likes.

I can't help it. No
matter what I sing,

it sounds like flamenco.

We need a band.

Instead of giving
our songs away,

we could keep them.

I don't know.

"Shut up and write," is that it?

- I didn't say that!
- But you thought it.

I'm a crappy singer, aren't I?

You're not exactly
Barbra Streisand, but…

But what?

You never finish a sentence.

What is it I don't have?

Confidence!
You're a good singer, a good dancer.

And where does that get me?

Your songs touch people,
Catherine. Maybe more than that.

You saw it the other night
when we tried your new one.

Yeah, but you
were singing with me.

I'm fed up with cold
sores every audition,

canned tuna, and nothing but rejection,
year in, year out.

You want to know the truth?

There's just nothing
special about me.

I can't wait to tell my mom I'll never
perform at a big venue in Paris.

I love singing.

But when I'm alone on stage

it's like I'm too
self-conscious.

I can't lose myself at all.

You don't have to sing alone.

Sing with me. We
could form a duo!

A duo… What good would that do?

We've got no money,
no equipment, no producer.

All we need to start
is a vocal duet with strings.

A friend of mine can play synth.

We can work out the rest later.

A duo…

Sing it with me.

My God, how boring is this job?

Mr. Berthier, excuse me.
Could I see you a minute?

Mr. Vedel had a
motorbike accident.

What? Is it serious?

He's at Cochin Hospital,
room 222. That's all I know.

Hello.

- How is he?
- Weak.

He's asleep. Wake him up gently.

Christian.

I'm here. Can you hear me?

- Who are you?
- You're not Christian!

There was a mix-up. I'm sorry!

How is Mr. Verdier?

Different. Very different.

- But you're fine!
- How am I fine?

That was a brand-new
helmet. Destroyed.

The rear wheel's fucked.
The mirror's in pieces.

The frame's badly damaged.
That's not nothing.

Maybe, but compared to earlier.

You should have seen room 122.

Not a pretty picture,
let me tell you.

Bandaged from head
to toe, eyes bulging.

What are you going on about?

I thought this guy
was you, but it wasn't.

- Which guy?
- A guy I'd never seen before.

He was in a really bad way.

Eric, did you
get a bump to the head? Everything okay?

Huh? I'll tell you later.

I need to go.
You're looking well. That's good.

I'll be back tomorrow.
In the meantime, don't change rooms.

It's not good for
my nerves. See you.

This seems wrong.

It'll be fine. They don't use
their basements for anything.

So are the clocks
going forward or back?

Did they not say on TV?

- They said an extra hour in bed.
- That means they're going back.

But then we'll be
an hour behind.

So we'll sleep an hour less,
not an hour more.

It must be forward.

No. If you go forward an hour

then tomorrow night
it'll be dark an hour later.

Putting the clocks back
makes the days shorter.

Think about it.

That's what I'm doing.

If the clocks go forward then
tomorrow night it will be an hour later.

So sunrise is later?

No, it's earlier.

That doesn't make any sense.

So we get more daylight?

You're not listening to me.

Think about the sun.
What does the sun do?

I'm not a child! Forget the sun!

Will I get more
sleep or less sleep?

One hour more.

We can stay up an hour later!

Cut it out!

So if I set my
alarm for nine o'clock.

It will actually be ten o'clock.

But that's one hour more.

- Exactly.
- What do you mean "exactly"?

This makes no sense!

You have no sense of logic.

I've got no sense of logic?

Take an hour off tonight,
add it tomorrow…

- I never said that.
- Get up earlier.

- Earlier at night.
- That's correct!

- But why?
- That's another story…

You, pick a side!

Tonight, forward or back?

I'm confused.

You see?

I say it's forward.

If it's 11 now, I
make it midnight.

But the clocks are going back.

So ten o'clock?

In that case, I'm going to bed.

We can't keep doing this,
singing for Jesus and the saints.

You're right. It's
not much of a crowd.

Where then? In the metro?

- Azur Bar?
- The boss would say no.

Let's not ask him!

We'd invite all our friends.

My brothers and sisters,
we are here to accompany

Jean-Pascal to his
final resting place.

Ubi est mors victoria tua.

Death, where is your victory?

Your hand can take nothing
from this wise man…

from this wise man because…

because your
only domain is time.

Lord, hear our prayer.

Open your ears to my voice.

So that man will fear you.

Louder!

Please excuse me.

What are you doing?

- Flamenco dancing.
- In the middle of a funeral?

I thought I heard something.

It didn't bother you, I hope?
Not before noon!

I told you, never before noon!

See? I told you the clocks
were supposed to go forward.

Sometimes I believe in fate.

This is disgusting!

I just used what I found.

A bit of chicory, some decaf,

and this diet
thing Greta left me.

Ultra brewer's yeast.

Is this what the ladies get?

No wonder they never stay.

Plans for the morning?

One of Aline's friends, John,

has a friend who's
leaving an apartment.

Cheap, but tiny.
I'm going to see it.

Your cello can go outside.

Do you not want to stay here?

Since you're here,
let's put the tree up.

John's pal who's
visiting the apartment

is really running late.

Let's not wait.

Put the key under the mat.

Is it not a bit early
to move in with Julien?

You can't imagine
living with someone.

I have before…

and I loved it.

- For five years.
- You?

When? Who with?

In Saint-Denis. When I was 15.

With my boyfriend.

At 19 he left for some rich girl
12 years older than him,

and I stayed in Saint-Denis,

in an empty studio.

Do you think because you had a nosebleed
he's the one? It might not work out.

We're missing the tip.

- Huh?
- You know, the bit at the top of the tree.

Chloe must have
taken it with her.

You give them a tree,
they run off with the tip.

They're all alike.

Long live the single life!

Where are you going?

To buy a tree.

It really only snows
at Christmas in films.

You know,

I read an interesting article
about the brain.

You're having a dopamine spike.

- What?
- Dopamine.

It's a molecule produced in the brain
which stimulates adrenaline.

You're stimulating my adrenaline.
Give me a hand.

It upsets the part of the brain
that controls logic.

Jump up and down.

The limbic system takes over.

Shit.

It's only when the molecules

enter the cortex that you control
your own decisions again.

So should I tell Julien

that I have to wait
for my dopamine to enter my cortex?

No, but…

Then give it a rest.

Look who's here.

What do we do?

We keep going.

But we could...

I don't care.

NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT AGENCY

What's that?

The number 86.

Hold on. Something's not right.

Excuse me, do you need a ticket?

Of course.

Well, that's a day lost.

Why didn't they say anything?

- Who knows?
- It says there.

When do they close?

I'd come back
tomorrow at 8:30 a.m.

On Friday, Sylvette's at window B.
She's the best.

That one there's a total bitch.

Let's come back tomorrow.

I'd rather the bitch now
than Sylvette at the crack of dawn.

But Julien will be in a huff.

I promised to do
a painting later.

So things aren't perfect?

No, it's worse than that.

You know what I've realized?

What?

- He's got no spontaneity.
- How do you mean?

Okay, here's an example.

When he says,
"I'm dying for a bit of chocolate,"

he goes into the kitchen, opens
the packet, and takes out one square.

And the thing is,

he never goes for more.

What a weirdo!

You must argue all the time.

That's the thing.

We never argue.

If there's a problem
then we talk it out.

There are no raised voices

or slamming doors.

You can't stay
with a guy like that.

- That's for sure.
- You were right. I was too quick.

I need to be more like you.
No ties, always someone new…

- Dumping guys…
- Or being dumped.

"Always someone
new" is an exaggeration.

It's hardly the
Bastille Day parade!

Excuse me, are you that group…

Le Douo?

That's right. I
was at Azur Bar with my husband.

- Really?
- It was great.

It was John who invited us.
My husband was his music teacher.

What do you do?

I'm a set designer.
I just finished working on a film.

I'm having a party soon
for my 20th wedding anniversary.

You could come with John.

- Thank you.
- That sounds great.

Give me a call.

That's me!

- See you soon.
- Bye.

By the way, you really should
dump that chocolate guy.

What? It's 2,000 francs a night
to rent the room?

For 90 people?

Any off-season reductions?

You seem to draw a distinction
between the concept of fate

and destiny.

That's right.
Everything has a fate.

Even a plant has a fate.

But destiny implies
something exceptional…

- Something grand.
- Determinism?

I wouldn't call it determinism.

I prefer to think of
it as internal logic.

For God's sake…

It has nothing to
do with chance.

We are definitely guided
in series of events in our lives by...

Are you all right?

I'm fine, but did you see
what was in the trunk?

Shit!

I can't believe
this. It's ruined!

And I'm on my way to rehearsal.

You're in that quartet, Voinel.

Yeah.

Do you know how much
a cello like this costs?

Try and guess! I
can't believe this.

A Bailly like this
one? 250,000 francs.

- I'll get it repaired.
- My cello!

I'll go get you mine.

Stop, thief.

Stop, thief.

Could I stay to watch the rehearsal?
You won't even know I'm here.

You idiot!

My dress!

We have to wash it right away.
Come with me.

To the bathroom. Hurry. Come on!

Oh! You caught us.

- Come here, you!
- How's it going?

Was this you?

No! Some clown bumped into me.

Let's try salt on it.

No, it's white wine you want.

Mustard as well.

Do you know Greece?

No.

- I'll just go home.
- No.

I'll go to your place
for another dress.

- Any preference?
- The red one.

Here it is.

Aline, where's the bathroom?

Straight ahead. Excuse me.

Eric!

This is Aline's director.

Just a couple of minutes.

Excuse me, in a hurry here!

This is Eric Berthier.

You need bleach and coarse salt.

It's either this or nothing.

In fact, I wanted to say.

Take this. I'm going
away for two weeks.

Where are you going?

Getting rid of this. Two days in hospital,
couple of days of rest, and this summer

bikini time.

That's what you think.

Next thing it'll be your stomach,
your knees,

your arms, your eyelids.

I'm getting my eyelids
done next Friday.

- The bottom ones?
- No, the top ones. Why?

- What age would you say I am?
- 54.

Bitch!

- How old is she?
- 54.

Can we come visit?

Absolutely not! It's top secret.

I'll be "at my mom's."

Wait! My button's stuck.

Ouch!

- I'll be back.
- No worries.

I can't see anything.

Don't come in. I'm naked!

I've got it. It's fine.

Thank you.

Where is Consuelo?

In the bathroom with Catherine.

What's she doing?

But anyone could walk in.

Where do you want them to go?

I'm off.

- See you soon, darling.
- See you soon.

Bye.

Look at you!

That friend of yours…

You get used to her.

Two seats in the front row?

You can have the whole row.

- Feeling better?
- Yes, thank you.

- So?
- Thirty's not bad, is it?

- It's good! Excited?
- Yeah!

I just want to pay you back.

Forget about that. On you go!

Break a leg!

For our first time on TV.

Castanets! Where
did you find them?

Hold on. I'll put them on.

Paella!

- Wow!
- Looks fantastic!

Those sorts of impulses,

guys have no control over them.

Absolutely.

Now we know
that it's an illness.

Nobody would have a go

at someone else
for having cancer, would they?

We're talking about child rapists here.
Did you see them on TV?

Drop it!

I'm not pregnant.
Maybe for the best.

That really hurts!

What happened?

I bit into something hard.

- Didn't you cook the rice?
- I did.

Shit!

But these are...

Castanets.

They're fine.

Relax. These things happen.

Castanets in paella?
Yeah, all the time.

- She nearly broke a tooth.
- Did you?

You see? I don't get you.

You say nothing
about child rapists,

but when someone nearly breaks a
tooth, you lose it.

We weren't judging the guy.
We were talking about impulses.

And that stops
you from reacting?

I'm lost here.

Try thinking about the victims!
Feel something!

How can you be so cold?

We're not judging…

- Thank you.
- There it is.

You're not judging.

We're all becoming
so politically correct.

Let's not judge anyone.

Tell people you don't
like your concierge

and it's a scandal.

It's all about understanding,
analyzing, putting things in perspective.

But really, people don't care.

You think you're open-hearted,

but nothing seems to bother you.
You never challenge anything!

Where's your anger?

If you understand
people's impulses so well,

then you won't
mind if I get impulsive

and do something really stupid.

You see this chicken thigh?

What are my impulses
telling me to do?

Cut it out right
now! This is crazy!

You see? You're not
trying to explain now!

That's enough.

- Let go of me!
- You'll just hit me back.

I won't. Just let me go.

- You promise?
- I promise.

That's disgraceful.

And you're a coward.

Where's my test?
Get your castanets. We're going.

You really went for it there!

And what do you do
other than bawl and shout?

He's got some nerve…

He's right, but it's
better than nothing!

That was the agreement.
It's been that way for five years.

If that happened, if I were you…

- No one is irreplaceable.
- It's a bit fickle though.

No, it's not.

We've hit a snag.
Paul can't do the tour.

How come?

I'm joining an
orchestra in Brussels.

So what now?

I'll play the first
concerts in Paris,

as we were just saying…

then get someone else.

Is this a joke?

Eric, we've heard you.
We know you're good enough.

And you've been
at every rehearsal.

Mr. Berthier?

I have a meeting.
But you're crazy.

What about my job?

No.

No.

- Mr. Pieu.
- It's Lieu.

- Lieu. Have a seat.
- There are no chairs.

I'll go and get some.

- Did you find someone?
- In two minutes? No.

We'll audition.

Good idea.

Forgot the chairs.

Hello.

Here are the chairs.

That's kind of you.
We needed some.

Yes.

I'm Ms. Brandouly, a lawyer,
here for Mr. Lesure. Are you...

Not at all.

I've got a meeting
with Mr. Lieu. Pieu.

No, thanks. I don't drink.

I do.

Some say the better it is,
the less they drink. I'm the opposite.

Château-Beychevelle '82. Wow!

Will we tell them?

Tell us what?

We found an apartment.
We'll move Monday.

- Already?
- Quick, huh?

Well. Here's to you two!

To you two.

You can tell us your story now.

Yes, of course!
Right, so, my concierge,

always sick, poor thing,

always goes on
about her "sintrom."

And what is that?

"I'm better, but they can't
seem to stabilize the sintrom."

I never had the guts
to ask her what it was.

I looked in a medical dictionary
but found nothing.

Then I thought, maybe
I've got a sintrom.

It might not be stabilized.

She was always
going on about it.

The next day, all casual, I ask her,
"Mrs. Prieur, how's your sintrom?"

"Don't start! I
threw it out again."

And then I realized
it can't be an organ.

I know what it is.

But you can keep going.

That was a real bomb.

Excuse me. I have to take this.

Hello? Good evening. Yes.

- It wasn't intentional.
- You sure?

It's a client. It's important.

You can tell the
rest of your story now.

Right, well, she takes me
to her quarters and says to me,

"Look, I'll show you."
I imagined all sorts of things.

Like her pulling up her sweater

to show me some horrible lump,

or some strange
growth on her scalp.

Awful.

She goes over to the kitchen

and opens the fridge!

The sintrom was inside?

I thought she was
going to bring out

a jar with a sintrom
swimming around in it.

- Get to the end.
- Oh, right.

From the fridge she brings out…

We're still on the "sintrom."

Ah, yes.

It's a blood
thickener, isn't it?

Are you coming to get me
from the airport tomorrow?

Yes.

Well, that was a bit of a disaster.
But what can you do?

These things happen
with first encounters.

She's nice!

"Nice"? Why not "great"
while you're at it?

- I think…
- Go on.

That she's the perfect
antidote to Anna.

But not necessarily the one.

I think you know that.

I wish the two of you weren't
quite so honest all the time.

Don't you want coffee?

Not anymore.

At least let me see you out.

Aline, when I first
saw you, I thought…

- Cut it out.
- No, I want to hear.

I thought you were a snob.

- And?
- I was wrong!

No you weren't! I am a snob.

And I can be condescending too.

You don't get it.
She makes me feel alive again.

She's free. She doesn't depend
on anyone or anything.

She's so full of life,
and I feel the same way.

She gives me wings.

Well then, fly.

He'll come back.

He always comes back.

Bloody hell.

I can't get through to her.

I've barely seen her
since we moved in.

That's how it is with these
high-powered women. Not worth it.

Eric, we are
supposed to be working.

Lieu has suggested
a velvet covering.

Who?

The set designer.

- Pieu?
- Lieu.

Velvet? Right, that's fine.

But before you said...

Excuse me. Are you
looking for someone?

I'm looking for the quartet, Voinel.
Where do they rehearse?

I'm Lebon's replacement.

Follow me.

Wait there.

Make yourself at home.
I'll go let them know.

I'll be right back.

Eric, have you seen a cellist
wandering about?

Yes. Me.

Stay right where
you are. I'm your man.

Sorry. They want to
see your cello first.

Come on. Let's get going.

Hey! Don't tell me
you're leaving already?

I'm sorry. I
need to be in Bordeaux tonight.

Didn't you get my message?

I did! I'm so happy for you.

This is a last-minute thing.

My clients want to appeal.

We'll celebrate another day.

Okay, I'll freeze this.

Look, Eric, I don't have a choice.
You know that.

Living with me...

But I don't! I live
with your suitcase!

Whichever one it is
that you leave behind.

But we both agreed
at the start we would respect...

Each other's freedom. I know.

I wanted to live with
a woman with passion,

not with her perfume
and her pumps at breakfast!

Wait.

What if I cancelled Bordeaux?

Would that really
change anything?

Would it change my life?

You don't want it to change?

No, I don't want it to change.

I can get someone else
to go instead of me.

You should've taken the big one.

Aline? Were you asleep?
It's only ten o'clock.

I had a migraine so
I went to bed early. Everything okay?

I'm getting dumped.

Beat her to it.

And be the one who
leaves again? Never.

When I left Anna I'd
have given anything

to swap places with her,
to be reading my letter.

Aline?

I'm listening.

If with each new love
we look for what was missing before…

when will it end?

Perhaps when we stop looking.

Oh, and Aline?

Yes?

- Can you freeze taramasalata?
- Bring it for lunch tomorrow.

Bye.

Could you watch him for me?

- Yes.
- Thank you.

Someone's feeling the urge.

Oh, hi there!

Tell me about it. It's been this way
ever since I turned 30.

Thirty is so young.

Are you coming to the concert
at the Louvre on Thursday? Eric's pals.

- Whose pals?
- My friend Eric, the cellist.

After Julien I told
myself in a couple,

passion has to be
the dominant force.

Now I know that passion can't be
the dominant force. So now what?

So nothing.

One day you'll meet someone,
move in together,

put your head on their shoulder
and stop thinking such things.

Yeah, but when you still believe
in true love at the age of 30,

is that a good or a bad thing?

People wait a lifetime

for what you just described.

Consuelo can't leave
the married guy she's seeing.

Then there's me…

And all these single
women around us.

When did you meet Pierre?

When I was 35.

- And now you're...
- Healthy with nerves of steel.

That fools everyone.

Consuelo!

Three times today! Three times!

It's all arranged!
A 15-date tour for Le Douo!

- Congrats!
- And that's not all.

We're planning a big concert
in Paris in May!

What?

They make me think of a quartet.

Some place, huh?

Pierre!

How are you doing? Excuse me.

What are they doing?

- Hello?
- Hello, is that reception?

No, who do you want to talk to?

Backstage, please. Hello?

Yes, but I'm not...

Who is this idiot?
Backstage, please!

I want to speak
to the cellist, Paul Lebon.

Are you ill?

How did you guess?

Look, if you can't connect me
with backstage, then someone

who's at the
concert. Is it busy?

Yes.

- How many people?
- I don't know.

Between 100 and 500, roughly.

- What?
- Hello?

Pardon?

Are there people
on the sidewalk?

Why not in the trees as well?

Listen, miss, you're being
deeply unpleasant.

There's some
lunatic on the phone.

How dare you call me a lunatic!

Give me someone normal!

Look, I am normal.

You've been going
on for ten minutes,

and I've had it up to here,

sicko!

You silly cow!

Impotent!

That's it, I'm going down there.

- It's me, the sicko!
- I'm sorry?

- The impotent!
- I don't follow.

Cat got your tongue
now that I'm here?

Look at you with your huge gut!

Like a worm that
swallowed a meatball!

That's enough!

Say it again for
everyone to hear.

Are we going for dinner after?

Let's get a move on.

That's my daughter!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Bravo!

Girls, that was incredible!

Hello. All I can say is wow!

I think I'm in love.

Since when?

The day before yesterday.

His name's Martin. He's great,

not at all like
Gilles or Julien.

A friend of mine once said,

"If with each new love

we look for what was missing before,
when will it end?"

Come to think of it,

how have I never introduced
you and Eric to each other?

Who?

That must be Martin!

This calls for a dinner party.

There it is. Quick, a tissue!

Come here.

Give it to me.

What's wrong with her?

It's just the nerves
from being on stage.

A big surge of
adrenaline and then…

Tilt your head back.
And what is it you do?

I do spiritual formation
at a Buddhist center

in Porte de Pantin.

Sounds fascinating!

I didn't know
you were interested in Buddhism.

Take this, darling.

Thanks, Mom.

I need to go. I'll
see you later. Will you be okay?

I'll be fine.

Bloody hell. Why does this
only happen to me?

If you keep this up you'll die.

You'll have no blood left
by the time you meet the one.

Aren't you
sweltering in that wig?

Not at all. I like it.

I didn't have time
to wash my hair.

To the Buddha
of Porte de Pantin!

I need a taxi.

Shit, I haven't got any money!

I'm in for a telling off here…

- Hello, Aline?
- Yes?

Could you come pick me up?

What's the emergency?

- I'll tell you later.
- What are those noises?

Martin doing his sun salutation.

What? I'm on my way!

However much you might want to believe,
when you see your guy

at 5 a.m. in his pajamas,
blowing into a goat horn,

you know this isn't
the father of your kids.

Why not? They'd find it funny.

Are you on a new diet?

Are you worried
about your weight?

Oh, you know, it
just creeps up on you.

Some mornings getting old
just seems too cruel.

Anyway, I cracked.

I'm getting my eyelids done.

- Where?
- Baudeloque Hospital.

I was a moron. But
you know how it is.

It feels so good
to be happy again

that you make yourself believe.

Come on. Forget
about the Buddhist.

The right person's
out there for you.

You're right.

Maybe in order to love someone,

you need to make room for them.

Baudeloque Hospital.

- Hello?
- Yes?

Hi there. Could you put me through
to cosmetic surgery?

We don't do
cosmetic surgery here.

Really? So you don't have
an Aline Peraud there at the hospital?

Peraud? One moment, please.

I see she's in
oncology. Is that right?

I can't put you through.
She's still in surgery.

Thank you.

Aline…

Hello, I'm looking
for Aline Peraud's room.

- 440.
- Thank you.

Catherine?

- Pierre!
- Catherine.

No, she can't be…

How could she go so long
without saying anything?

She was convinced
she would get better.

And you coped all alone.

I wasn't all alone. I had her.

We didn't notice.

She was losing
weight, wearing scarves,

wearing wigs,
and we didn't notice.

She was a strong woman.

You're strong too.

That's what she used to tell me.

I need to phone Eric.

Consuelo?

He came back.

Alain? He left his wife?

Yes.

- And you're crying?
- Then he left again.

- What?
- He said it was for his daughter.

- How old is she?
- Thirty.

Will you stay with me?

Of course! We're
going to Pierre's.

I don't want to see anybody.

He wants to introduce us to Eric,
his best friend.

You go.

Let's compromise.

I'll take you to Gino's,
then we'll meet them for dessert.

It can be very long,

and we don't know why.

Perhaps it's to hide real code,

like a draft.

It's nearly 11. She's late.

She'll be here.

…in the Bible, with this idea
that the Good Lord…

Did you know that Le Douo…

Excuse me…

Did you know that…

Le Douo are planning

a concert with a trio
and they need a cellist.

Seriously? Are they
holding auditions?

On Tuesday morning, I believe.

Tuesday morning?

Shit, I think I'm busy.

I'd love to work with them.

- They're great.
- So you're a cellist?

- You're a musician?
- Yes.

Have you seen
the latest research

on response curves?

Do you recall?
It's electronic...

Excuse me. Is your
friend not coming?

She shouldn't be long now.

She's quite elusive,
this friend of yours.

Are you sure you
passed on Tuesday?

Passed what?

Your driving test.

Why? Am I going too fast?

Thirty.

Thank you.

- How many more?
- Two.

By far the best.

Thank you.

That was great.

He's cute too.

I don't think anyone
else is coming.

See you at the restaurant?

Is the bathroom there?

Anyone in there?

Excuse me!

The audition?

It's finished. It
was from ten till 12.

- But it's 11:20.
- No, it's 12:20.

Shit! The clocks went back.

- What time is it?
- No, I'm not getting into that.

- But what's the time?
- I'm not getting into that.

It's 12:20.

Okay, let's hear you.

Go on. Get yourself set up.

- Get a move on!
- I'm going. Calm down.

Shit.

It got stuck.

I brought sheet music.

No, we'd rather you improvised.

Improvise?

Please.

Right, well…

This is a real pain in the ass…

So just improvise?

- Yes, exactly.
- At 12:20. Okay.

What's she going on about?

Okay. I'm ready.

That's it. I'm done.

Let's all go home.

Hello.

- Catherine?
- Yeah.

I'm Eric. Eric Berthier.

I'm sorry. Auditions
give me a rash.

Me too. I'd be literally
disfigured each time.

So why make people audition?

As a musician you must know
how hard it is to improvise.

What other way is there

of hearing your music?

- You could come hear me play.
- It's not the same.

- That'd mean watching a whole concert.
- That's unfair.

Much harder than
just sitting there and judging.

Okay, I'm off.

Why are you so unpleasant?

I'm sorry. It's my fault.

What's worse is
that I love your music. See you.

Aline and Pierre
always said you were nice.

- Pierre's too sentimental.
- Aline wasn't.

With Aline, towards
the end, did you…

Know something
was up? Not at all.

Me neither. I was oblivious.

Me too.

That's one thing we share.

Yeah, we're both idiots.

Pierre seems better.

He's talking about her again.

Aline was something else.

And she had it
all. Well, almost.

I don't know. You can be happy
without kids, can't you?

Do you think so?

No.

I just remembered something.

I was talking to Aline once
about some guy and she quoted you.

It really struck me.
What was it again?

"If with each new love

we look for what was missing before,
when will it end?"

- I said that?
- Yes.

It's very insightful.

Have you still got split ends?

- I'm sorry?
- Split ends.

When the ends of your hair
get dry, brittle, and frayed.

Aline couldn't...

Right, got it.

Aline said you had no time
for that sort of...

Nonsense.

Exactly.

You're more into underlining

philosophical quotations,
reading Paulo Coelho,

full of oriental wisdom…

- Are you Buddhist?
- No, why?

There are some really nice ones.

Not in Porte de Pantin.

You might be right.

I don't spend much time there.

- I have my mom's hair.
- I heard she was a good singer.

What's wrong?

Nothing. I thought
I had a nosebleed.

Do you get them often?

Yeah, when I'm…
It's a stress thing.

It's just us two.

I love empty concert halls.

Provided I'm not playing to one.

Right.

As a boy I got nosebleeds
for big events…

like the day of an exam, or the day
before we went away on holiday.

Or when a pretty
girl sat next to me.

That's crazy, right?

Absolutely.

I think if someone were to ask me
if I was hungry, I would say yes.

- Are you hungry?
- Yes.

Shall we?

You have a dog?

No, this is Eliott. He belongs
to the caretaker. Do you not like dogs?

No, I love dogs, but
only really big ones.

It's 11:45. Shall we go?

It's 12:45.

Yes, the clocks changed.

So forward an hour?

- No, back an hour.
- Forward.

No, back!

Think about it.

I have.

It can't be back.

- The radio said...
- The clocks went back!

No, the clocks
have gone forward.

I swear, you've got this wrong.

We can't go back an hour…

You've got it all
wrong. Think about it!

Subtitle translation
by: Paul Mullaney