Cecilia (1983) - full transcript

Good morning, Kan!

Good morning, ma'am!

Thank you.

Nice of you to come and get me.

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?

Don't you like me anymore?

Would it make any difference?



Where are you going?

That's not the way
to the house.

It's the way to my house,
where I live with three young men.

Never mention them again.

I've had enough
of those troublemakers.

Troublemakers
whom the boss fired

because they were peeping,
watching you undress.

But you were deliberately
provoking them

just like you're provoking me!

Stop!

I want you to stop!

I'm not taking orders anymore.

At this very moment, I quit!

Stop the car!



No!

Leave me alone!

No! Please! Leave me alone!

No!

Let me go, you bastards!

No!

Please!

No!

No!

No!

No, let me go!

Let me go!

Let me--

Oh, yes!

Yes, yes, that's it.

Yes, that's good.

Cécilia!

What happened to you,
my love?

I was very worried.

I'll kill them for this!

André.

There's something
I've got to tell you!

It's monstrous!

My wife violated by two
filthy pigs!

I didn't tell you all this

just so you'd go and turn
the thing into a tragedy.

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

of punishment or 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 loved.

And I divorced.

My dear friend, I'd like to introduce
you to my niece, Cécilia.

She'll take good
care of you.

She adores hot nights and
and playboys.

Nice ambiance here.

Yes, and I hope to have a great night!

Ah, Cécilia. May I present André,

the son of
the departed Compte de la Meute.

Your father's dead, isn't he?

Yes.

Ah, hello, my friend.
How are you?

Just great. Nice party.
Thanks for inviting me.

Cécilia, dance with André.
She so shy, you know.

Yes...

Oh! You didn't see Hamlet? With
those dwarves? Simply divine.

You mean you saw dwarves?

Oh, it was beyond words.

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

And we're in love, too.

Come on!

Look at that, over there. Isn't
it beautiful?

And right over there
is the River Seine.

You want to see the cathedral?
Look, it's right there.

And then we got married.

And you brought me here,

into your world, your land,

your life at the embassy.

Weren't you happy?

I was happy, very much.

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.

Nor I another woman.

When we made love today,
when I came back,

it felt like it used to,

in the beginning
when we first met.

I came so hard,
I thought I'd faint!

And, do you know why?

I'm very conscious of it.

It's because those two boys
made me come so hard,

that I went mad.

They managed
to bring out in me

an extraordinary sensuality.

The animal in heat!

Then, when I returned to you,

I felt
absolute happiness!

I desired you
like the first time.

Didn't you notice?

And, in one single hour,
I gave you...

more love than in
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,
carnal desire.

Don't you think so, André?

What are you
getting at?

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?

If we renounced
physical fidelity?

It wouldn't
necessarily mean

that we would grow colder toward
each other

or that we would become
indifferent to each other.

Do you mean that you've
had enough of me?

Of course not!

Tell me,
over the past two years,

didn't you ever desire
another woman?

Yes, I did.

But I've only been with you.

And you know that.

Yes, I do.

But you were emotionally
unfaithful to me.

Admit it, at least.

Why not just be sincere?

Why not always try
to live with the truth?

Listen to me--I understand now

that I could love somebody
with all my might,

but enjoy sex
with another.

And that coming back to
the one you want and love

brings the greatest happiness.

Who could have thought of that?

I never hoped
for such a thing.

Ah, 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.

And if I'm right,

a kiss from me
would probably bore you.

Looks like we're in
for stormy weather.

I can't stand it anymore,
Antonin!

Alright, tell grandmother
all about it.

Come on,
don't make fun of me.

It's him I'm making fun of!

No man loved by a woman like you
has a right to get angry at her.

I mean it.

Help me, Antonin!

Let's drink
to friendship!

Yes, let's drink
to friendship!

And now, to love!

To freedom!

All right.

Yes, to freedom.

To freedom in 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...

Would you mind...

helping your grandmother
to her room?

You will, huh?

Okay.

You don't mind, huh?

You want to dance?

Why not?

What do you want
from me, exactly?

I want to
make love with you.

♪ Roll me over
in the clover! ♪

♪ Roll me over!
Lay me down! ♪

Okay!

You don't have
to play the part

of the drunk and decadent
marquis any longer.

How was I, huh?

Marvelous!

I wasn't acting.

I am a drunk
and decadent marquis!

Do you think
we've got a chance?

She always does
whatever's most fun for her.

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,

a formality afterwards.

And, what about me?

You too, Cécilia!

Don't tell anybody,

because you'd damage my
reputation as a man-eater!

But you truly are a man-eater!

And you'd want...
quite a few of them!

I turn you on, huh?

What excites me
is the way you speak.

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!

- Cécilia!
- Yes?

Cécilia!

I can explain!

Wait a minute, Cécilia!

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

You macho men can do
anything you please.

It doesn't mean a thing, right?

For Christ's sake,
let me explain!

Leave me alone.

Cécilia,
wait a second!

Listen to me.

Let me tell you.
Let me explain.

Cécilia,
open the door!

Open the door!

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.

Thank you, darling.

- Do you love me?
- Very much.

You know, it's kind of weird being in this
house, being thrown into the past.

Come on, let's go in and join the others.
What a nice party.

Ah, so there you are.
I hope you're liking the party.

Yes, we are.

Oh, so you're still in love?

Lucky you!

Come here!

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

We had a magnificent stroll.

May I present my niece. She doesn't live
in Paris, but--

We've known each other
for a long time.

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

You still owe me half a dance, remember?

Yes, of course.

See you later.

What do think?

Oh, they're charming.

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

Oh, he'll bring her back.
It's just one dance. Enjoy yourself!

Yes, come.

Yes, let's go, come on.

They say that that your first novel was
autobiographical.

Yes, one time I sat down and decided to
write a story about my first abortion.

What's the title?

"Neither Virgin Nor Martyr."

Bravo!

Oh, come on, cheer up!

Will you come and dance with me?

Oh, of course. Have fun.

Let's get away.
Don't tell me you're happy with him.

I am. Very happy.

- Listen to me, Cécilia.
- Enough!

But I want you, Cécilia.
Listen to me.

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

Come with me, Cécilia. Let's get
away.

I told you "No."

- Come on, let go of me.
- But--No!

Listen to the birds, darling. Listen!

So close to Paris, how beautiful!

Oh, there you are. Bravo! Oh,
congratulations. You were marvelous.

Wha--?

You're too modest.
I wanted to congratulate you.

Thank you...

Oh yes, you were sublime. The way you held
onto her--

But...

Oh yes! And I'll have you know, my friend,
we both expected no less from you.

What a wonderful display of mastery.
Sheer mastery.

Such panache!

Last week, on television--

We didn't miss a second.

Not a second of the horse race.

Yes, yes.

Oh, yes. The horse race. Right.

We're going to love,

and want each other
more than ever.

Yes.

You're not only my wife
and my mistress--

You're also--
my confidant. My love.

Well, now--

Now, we can do anything
we want to!

Not quite.

We can't love
anybody else,

nor be infatuated.

The love we feel
for each other

must remain... the greatest.

Of course, darling.

But then, we've
got to tell each other

about all our adventures.

Yes.

You know, I read
in a book a long time ago

about lovers
who came to an agreement.

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 killed him
out of jealousy.

And you?

Would you
have done it too?

Me? I...

I would have done
the same thing.

And you?

I don't know.

Maybe the same.

Who are your friends?

No idea!
I just met them.

I met them yesterday
at the riding club.

They're a strange couple.

I hope they're fun.

Otherwise,
we'll throw them overboard.

The way she looks at me,

she's like a hungry tigress!

And he brings out
my incestuous desires.

If it's that funny,

would you mind
letting me in on it?

Sure, why not.

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.

And can George
do this?

What do you mean?

He's my son.

I had him
when I was barely fifteen.

How old
does that make him now?

Sixteen.

Is it true
you've made love with him?

Have you really?

Yes.

I taught him on several occasions.

Who could have
taught him better than me?

And what does society
have to say about you?

No, that's precisely
why we moved here.

We've 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.

It's hard to believe
you have a son!

You've got
marvelous breasts.

I'd like mine
to be as nice.

Don't be an idiot.

Your breasts are marvelous, too.

Unka!

Unka!

Unka!

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

No, ma'am.

The telephone
isn't working.

It's out of order.

Will you run me a bath?

Cécilia?

André, where are you?

I'm still downtown.

Yes, but where?

I'm at Madam Olga's place,

with three pretty girls
from the countryside.

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?

It depends--

I'm smack
in the middle of things. Be patient.

You're a pig.

I love you!

So do I.

Will you pour me another
glass of that swill?

Yes, sir.

- You must be Portuguese.
- Yes, sir.

They're all over
the goddamn place.

Kan?

Kan!

Come in.

Come in, ma'am.

What can we do for you?

They're all family--
cousins.

Are you coming?

Would you mind driving the car back?
I can't.

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

How will you get home?

I'll walk.

I don't mind.

Ma'am,
I wanted to tell you

about my brother, Kan.

How should I tell you--
He loves you.

He's shipping out to sea.

He'll be gone a long while.

He wants to see you.

He told me.

Then why did he reject me?

He's a proud man.

See you soon.

Hello, Kan.

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.

I'm at your disposal.

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

Thank you.

Stop!

Mr. André! Mr. André!

Mr. André, the missus' horse has
come back alone.

Do you know
what time she left?

She must have left
bright and early this morning.

I didn't hear her leave, sir.

Why did you come back?

I couldn't stop thinking about you.

My obsession was such that

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 guy like me.

Please, Kan.

Please don't try
to see me again.

Okay, I won't!

In any case,

my boat leaves
tomorrow morning.

That's the reason why
I followed you today,

it was my last chance.

Will you be gone
a long time?

I'd like to never come back.

And try to forget all this.

Yeah, try to forget.

When I'm near you
I live through you.

I breathe through you,
I sleep through you.

It's more than I can bear.

Cécilia--

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

but the sea is always the same.

It made me realize

when I looked out onto the waves,

those same waves
would soon wash over

your beautiful, naked body

That the wind,
which sounded me,

would then go on to tussle your hair.

Go away!

Go away, you hear!

Okay, I'm going.

But I won't come back.

I don't want
to see you anymore.

Me neither,
my love.

Let's say goodbye here.

My husband
must be looking for me.

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,

once for each time
we made love.

Maybe you'll hear it
from your room.

Cécilia!

You frightened me!

Well, so did you.

When your horse
came back alone,

I was so afraid something
had happened to you.

Something did happen.

My horse ran away,

while I was swimming in the sea.

Bravo! Bravo!

Look--

I didn't like that whore at all.

She bored me.

I can do better than her.

Show us then.

There's nothing to it.

I could do it better.

That little bitch
turns you on, right?

Well, I thought
she was pretty good.

- Why did you call her a bitch?
- Because that's what she is.

That makes three of us.

So am I.

And if that excites you,

I can do even more!

Okay, that's enough.

You've had enough to drink.

I'm still thirsty.

I haven't had enough yet.

And I feel fine!

I feel amazing!

And if you think
she put on a show,

wait till you see mine.

Oh, excuse me!

That's enough now!

- She's wasted.
- Yeah, looks like it.

- Come on!
- Please, come back here.

Oh, good!

Whoa! André!

Come and dance.

Help me...

She's great!

That's enough! Stop!

I got it...

Stop, right now!

Come on!
That's enough!

- Come!
- No!

That's quite enough!

Enough!

Let me go! No!

The party's over,
Let's go!

Stop!

How about that, eh?

The dancing girl!
What do you know?

Hang on!

We can't let her get away.

She just might at that.

Well, let's catch her.

What good do you think
that will do you, huh?

How the hell can she run
so fast?

Come on, you guys!

No! No!

Leave me alone!

No!

No!

No!

No!

So you finally
came around!

Any idea where he is?

No.

But I know
who he is with.

Her name is Ruth,
and she's American.

She's the daughter
of an oil magnate

or maybe it's gas.

How could he leave this way,

knowing the state I'm in?

When they found you in the woods,

raped, half-dead, he said,

"I hope she survives.

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'd met
a few days before.

Where did they go?

They left forAsia,

but I don't know for how long.

He said
you'd understand.

He said
you had made a pact,

and that you
didn't stick to it.

- So, he knows about Kan?
- Of course.

André
is an intelligent man.

All he had to do

was bring Kan's coat
back to his brothers.

What can I do?

Do you love him?
You want him back?

Yes.

I swear I love him!

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

It was, well, poetry.

And poems are usually
very short--too short.

It's our fault.
We make them too short.

Wait, Cécilia!

Poor woman!

With or without freedom, we are...

always the victim of men.

Yes.

And you know why?

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

That's just how it is.

We may try our best to please them,
but it's useless.

Just try to relax.
Calm down!

And don't think
about him anymore.

Don't think about him!

He doesn't deserve you

any more than the others do.
Believe me.

You're right.

I love you, darling.

Your skin is so soft. You're beautiful.

André is here,
in the dining room.

He told me everything.

He can't live without you.

All these girls--

and there are fewer than you think--

it was just
to make you jealous.

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

Forever?

Forever.