- I'll get the car. - It's OK, we have time.
Really? Let me help you.
- Sure you don't want me to get it? - Grab my things. I'm coming.
I'll take the bag. And what else?
Sorry, you were asleep.
My water's broken
a bit early.
Shit!
Hello.
I can't reach
Christel, his friend's mom who was going to mind him.
You said you might look after him if...
I said that?
I'm sorry.
If Elliott needs a toy or something from the fridge, help yourself.
- No school? - It's Saturday.
I left Christel a message with your number.
I'll text you her details.
- See you tomorrow. - OK.
Come on.
Bye, honey.
Easy now...
Hello, Christel.
It's Sandra, the neighbor, again.
I have to go to work.
Maybe I could...
drop Elliott off on the way if that helps.
Please call me back.
You have millions of books. What for?
It's my job.
Are you a writer?
You say "female writer" for a woman.
No, I have a bookstore.
Mom's a female ceramic artist.
Right...
I don't like your paintings.
I'm not surprised. They're not for little boys.
You know nothing about little boys.
How do you know?
You don't have kids.
You seem very certain.
I heard Mom talk about it.
And I saw you live alone.
You see a lot.
Babies are born through that little hole.
You know it all.
Is that possible?
God must have a grudge against women.
I'll get ready. Don't touch anything.
What do I do?
I don't know. Don't you have any toys?
No.
Want to do a drawing?
Is that yes or no?
Alex, it's Sandra again.
Your friend
has gone for the weekend. She tried to call you.
I'm very busy.
If you get this message
between the contractions...
Thanks!
You're going too fast.
Sorry.
Let's race.
No, thanks.
Come on.
I don't want to race. You do it.
I can't race on my own.
Yes, you can. You race against yourself.
Yes, Antoine?
I know you don't like single orders.
But I can't keep sending back unsold books.
Damn answering machine!
No family?
No-one nearby.
They moved in when his mom got pregnant.
I've never been so happy to see you!
- Oh, thanks! - My savior.
Hi, Jibril.
- You well? - Yeah, you?
Oh, you look tired. Doesn't she?
That's nice!
Let's talk about this sweet child.
My word! I could eat him up!
- What's your name? - Elliott.
You deserve to be arrested for being too cute!
I've got 5 almost as cute as you.
5 kids?
5 big, handsome boys!
I'm Marianne,
the kind sister of the evil witch.
The witch has no sister.
She does. See? Come on.
I'll take you
somewhere less hostile.
What does "hostile" mean?
It's here. Later, alligator!
Bye, Elliott!
Yes, it's me.
Really? She's given birth?
Home how late?
Can you put him on?
Shit!
Why don't you cook?
No time or desire to.
Adults are always in a rush.
Mom always says: "Hurry up."
She must be busy.
She works, cooks...
She's not the one who cooks.
Because she lives with an incredibly modern man
who helps her because he enjoys cooking.
Are you mocking him?
Go on.
Half raw, half burned! It's a new concept!
There you are.
I can cut it!
Why aren't you eating?
I'm going out.
Unless you're stuck here with me.
You said you could cut it...
Why do you live alone?
I don't. I have my books.
Books don't talk.
You think so?
Anyway, even at your age,
I never dreamed of getting married or having kids.
Why not?
I'm not strong enough.
Is my mom strong?
She can look after you, not just herself. Yes, Cécile is very strong.
What...?
Come in.
I can't...
It's OK.
We'll go.
No, stay. Stay.
I know nothing about kids, but...
I wouldn't like it to be done to me...
Let him sleep.
Let him have his mom a while longer.
Sorry.
I didn't do it on purpose.
The baby's been born.
Does she have hair?
She has lots of hair.
Mom's not too sore?
Why do you ask, hon?
Because the baby comes out of a tiny hole.
Can I see her?
Who?
The little sister.
Let's go.
Hold on. Elliott...
I have to tell you something very sad about Mom.
Is she dead?
Yes.
Already?
What's the point of a managing agent?
I'm not getting angry.
I already sent everything to you.
Just a second.
Sorry, I need my keys back.
Sure.
Has his grandma arrived?
No...
She'll join us at the hospital.
I'll put your keys in the bag.
I don't know yet who'll pick you up from your friend's.
I want to go with you, not to Hannah's.
It's not for children. I won't be able to look after you.
I promise I'll be good.
It'll be OK. Come on.
Thanks, Sandra.
Alex!
I'll come along.
OK with you?
LUCILLE, 1 DAY OLD
It's easy, see?
Go on.
You just put your hand under her head.
That's it.
Isn't he good, Lucille?
Great.
She can move freely.
And you can soap her up.
OK.
Do you want to help?
- Maia, I need you. - I'm busy.
So I see, but the triplets take priority over bathtime.
I'll borrow her, OK?
This is Lucille's dad and grandma, you know?
Congratulations. You're doing just fine.
Come on.
Oh, sorry.
Take your time.
Can I see her?
Sure. They'll be out soon.
I mean Mom.
No, Elliott.
I don't think so.
Why not?
Because she's no longer...
It'd be too...
You want to?
If she's OK with it.
Think she would have been?
You can talk to her.
You coming?
I'll leave you to it.
I'll take you home and come back.
- No, go on. I'll manage with... - Sandra.
With Sandra.
I'll drive.
Thanks.
I'll do the formalities first.
What are formalities?
Tell you later.
Take off your shoes.
Should I stay?
No, it's OK, you go.
- I'll put the bag here. - Thanks.
My little Cécile...
Lucille.
Fanny...
Give her to me.
Please...
But I ordered 10 last week.
Did you check the storeroom?
OK, thanks, Jibril.
I'll close up tonight, OK?
Shit!
See you later.
Here.
Thanks.
Were you my daughter's friend?
Not really. I'm just a neighbor.
Why not give her your milk?
Milk only comes after pregnancy, you know?
She's so ugly.
All newborns are ugly.
Is that why you don't want one?
I already told you why.
But I'm sure Lucille will become very pretty.
Will Alex love her more than me?
Certainly not.
A father has room for all his children.
But I'm not his child.
Yeah, OK, really.
They arrive tomorrow.
We don't know, but not before next week,
in view of the circumstances.
Wednesday, maybe.
Yes, Lucille.
She's crying.
No, she's fine. The midwife thinks
she's better off with me.
What are you doing?
I have something to tell Sandra.
No, not now. Hold on.
Fabrice, I'll call you back.
Mom...
I don't want to see her.
OK.
Come here, hon.
Cyanosis, low heart rate,
hysterectomy...
I couldn't help searching...
Amniotic edema...
I ended up on medical forums.
Reading accounts that were...
each more appalling than the next.
Never heard of it.
It's very rare and unpredictable.
The amniotic fluid gets into the mother's blood
and literally poisons her.
She died of cardiac arrest.
It is noisy here.
Neighbors can make you feel terribly alone at home,
even when you love being home alone.
- Why? - I don't know.
Maybe because through the walls,
you constantly hear the soundtrack
of their lives without you.
Well, if I may,
this feeling that everyone is on one side
and you're alone on the other
is something we all share.
See you next Thursday.
LUCILLE, 1 WEEK OLD
So, who are you?
Well, I know who you are.
I was Cécile's husband.
You're mainly Elliott's dad.
That too.
So, for Elliott...
What?
I'm getting organized.
I thought I could take him back next month.
OK with you?
To...
go where?
To go to my place.
I'll sign him up to the local school, then we're good.
Let's talk later...
What the fuck?
I'm his dad.
It took you 3 days to come. Call that being a dad?
I wanted to be ready.
It's not about you, David!
Did you raise him? Dress him? Teach him to cycle?
Take him to school every day?
Out of my way!
You OK?
What are you doing?
I was reading. Well, trying to.
Little rabbit has 2 ears.
It crosses its ears and puts them in its burrow.
And it pulls them...
- Tight. - Very tight!
Tie a knot. Tie a tight, tight knot!
Exactly.
Second shoe.
Little rabbit takes some straw
and puts it in its burrow. We did that.
I can't find Elliott.
Shit, we looked everywhere for you.
I didn't know. Sorry.
You don't take a kid away like that.
Come on, get up.
- Come on. - I came here.
Stop bothering Sandra. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Well, goodbye.
- You do the second one the same? - Yes.
Exactly the same.
Go on.
LUCILLE, 2 MONTHS OLD
- Hey, you. - Hey.
- Vacation? - Going to his dad's.
Sorry I didn't know it was today.
Great. Let me know.
I don't want to be late.
Don't worry, I'll be back at weekends.
Shit! What a fucking idiot I am!
- Never mind. - I do. Just leave it.
Holy friggin' cow!
Look, I'm really sorry.
- It's OK. - I'll pick it up.
It's OK. I'll get a delivery.
You know what? I'll be right back.
I'll go shopping.
I'll be right back.
My family invited themselves.
You can't just eat potato chips!
It's just a birthday.
Elliott would be pleased.
The first time he wolfed down curry, he wasn't even 2!
I nearly fell off my chair!
And it wasn't a mild curry for novices.
After that, every week, he wanted a strong curry
and stinky cheese.
I think I'll use soup plates.
I didn't choose to have these two.
We never tire of hearing it, Mom!
If you'd been in my shoes...
Back then, schools taught sewing and cooking to girls
from the age of 11.
What could women do,
apart from breeding and feeding husbands?
- You must be proud of me. - Why?
I resisted the conventions!
- No, you didn't. - Why?
Because today, it's trendy to stay free, not to settle down.
- Whatever. - So, you're the sheep.
She's unconventional.
She didn't learn to cook and sew. She pulled the joystick 5 times!
A man isn't just a joystick!
He is, though!
You're right, girl.
I'm sick of all these women
who reduce men to nothing
and press charges when they get groped.
Mom!
Don't go there.
It's unbearable. I can't do this.
I'm nearly 80, honey.
You're old when it suits you.
You're a feminist when it suits you!
Nonsense.
Funny, isn't it?
When they were little, I wanted them to be quiet.
Now if they don't whine, I worry.
Our relationship grew.
A bit like a marriage of convenience that works better than love!
The opposite of mine!
It's coming, beautiful.
- Can I feed her? - Sure.
Come to me, my treasure.
She's hungry.
Careful, she had to be weaned off her 5 kids, not the other way around!
I've always fantasized about big families.
- Got no siblings? - No.
I wish Elliott was with her.
Children always adapt in the end.
That's no reason to mess up.
I didn't mess up!
I looked after you.
I had no choice.
Yihaa!
I really need to move.
What?
I said...
I need to move.
And with that leaky pipe going through my place,
until it's dry...
Do you have saltpeter, too?
She didn't want another kid.
It was a premonition.
She hated her first pregnancy.
She didn't want to give up another year.
And I...
I even said to her that...
that our relationship wasn't enough...
I was going to leave her.
I pestered her...
until she gave in.
I forced her.
I wish I was dead, not her.
I can't let you say that.
Who are you to tell me what I can and can't say?
You're right, I'm nobody.
Sorry.
Thanks, Sandra.
Excellent.
You're smiling.
Gurgling...
You're a good weight, a good size.
- Are you going away? - Yes.
I'm going to Paris for a book fair. I mean, conferences.
Have a good trip.
Look, I've waited a month for a goddamn birth certificate!
You have my file. Is it complete? It is!
LUCILLE, 3 MONTHS OLD
Fanny...
You dropped off.
- Is it Tuesday or Wednesday? - Thursday.
- Do you need me this weekend? - No, we're with Elliott.
Hi, I'm here for Elliott.
You are...?
His stepdad. His dad must have told you.
Alex!
Sweetie...
- Can you carry me? - Not now.
But I'm tired.
We're nearly there.
It's not fair!
At Dad's, we eat pizzas, nuggets, and fries.
You're not at Dad's.
Just a sec...
Come on.
This milk looks delicious...
Listen to that violin. Great gypsy jazz.
Leo Slabiak...
He even played with Django Reinhardt's Hot Club.
What if I drop her?
- You won't. - What if I do?
- I'll go! - Wait.
Careful.
Easy...
Snow White
I kept it for you.
Thank you!
It'll save you from Peppa Pig!
Come in.
No, I'm not stopping.
How is she?
It's not an animal. Not a human...
- A plant? - No.
Got one in your room?
- At Dad's? - If you like.
- There are 2. - Ah, toys.
There aren't just 2 toys at his dad's.
There are hundreds of brand-new toys, clothes, candy...
OK, we get it. They're not toys.
Do you give up?
- Not that easily. - Come on.
OK, I give up.
2 dead flies.
I started a collection.
- Oh, sorry. - Wait...
Isn't it an animal?
Not when it's dead.
So, if a hunter
kills a boar,
he can't say he'll eat boar
because you say it's not a boar when it's dead?
But a boar isn't an insect.
So you say.
Who decided that a boar is called a boar
and not... spider?
A spider isn't an insect.
It has 8 legs.
So, what's Spiderman?
A boar.
LUCILLE, 7 MONTHS OLD
OK?
Yeah, it's OK.
She's cutting her teeth, I think.
You think or you're sure?
An hour ago, you said 20 minutes.
Yes, I did. So, any idea when it'll be?
- Come with me. - I'm not her mother.
- She's my daughter. - Come on, then.
It won't open.
It's locked.
How is she?
I can't hear you either.
She has sore ears. It's an ear infection.
Mumps?
Oh, an ear infection.
Nothing serious, then.
I was worried.
I'll go around to the other side.
I'll go around.
I like all your contradictions.
Do you?
You laugh when you get burned.
You're more independent than an outhouse.
You're locked tight.
You run a highbrow feminist bookstore...
yet your favorite tale is about...
an emotional girl who flees an abusive stepmother,
lives with 7 tiny roommates, cleans their mini can,
washes their mini underwear with mini soap.
And one fine day,
she seduces a clean-shaven prince just by being beautiful
and keeping her mouth shut.
- What is it? - It's nothing.
- What is it? - It's...
It's just a lock that snapped open.
Who do you think you are?
Thanks for the coffee.
- I don't want to force things. - No, I know.
Is it going too fast? I can wait.
No, you mustn't wait for me, Alex.
Tell me what's going on. Don't go.
I don't want to lose you.
I love you.
- No... - Stay here!
You're not in love with me.
You're in love with the situation.
I'm... the neighbor.
I'm... We get on well,
I'm single, I like your kids, I'm too old to have any.
- I tick all the boxes. - No.
You're mourning through me.
Like cutting teeth on a bone.
You're fighting feelings of loss, abandonment,
isolation...
- It's not love. - It is!
It's built on suffering.
So?
Who said you had to feel happy to meet someone?
Sure, Alex, but...
But what?
Cécile entrusted her child to me.
I just happened to be there.
LUCILLE, 9 MONTHS OLD
Stop worrying.
All kids have allergies.
Call me in a week's time, OK?
Thank you very much, Doctor.
If bunica is still worried,
send her to me and I'll give her magic powder!
Rachel?
Your turn.
My appointment was at 5.
Sorry, I'm running late.
Doctors always have an excuse.
Well, maybe
they work too hard.
Make yourself useful. You won't feel you're wasting your time.
I need her file from up there.
Thanks.
It's "Moussafir". M...
It's the second from the right.
I'm so sorry. I'm a real pyromaniac firefighter.
It's like I studied medicine to fix my mistakes!
You didn't learn computing?
Well, I inherited the files of your old pediatrician
who's about 107 and kept everything.
So, on top of my patients here and at the hospital,
I have to spend my evenings typing up his scrawl while eating sushi.
No wonder...
What?
3 months to get a jab,
the ER overwhelmed,
you go in with flu and come out, feet first.
OK, now that's enough.
Out!
Go on.
Here.
Sorry, I was a real asshole.
You don't recognize me. I'm recently widowed, I want to kill everyone.
I don't know why I laid into you. You didn't deserve it
because you make people better, you're on the side of life.
But leaning that way makes me feel I'm letting Cécile go, so...
So, I got you sushi to eat as you type.
And I got beef cheese yakitori.
And to balance it out, I got sashimi.
And ice tea. I saw one in your trash.
And at the same time...
Maybe I got it all wrong. Lately I do.
The thing is...
I already ate.
I did get it all wrong.
Really?
Why not?
If a woman doesn't speak up in public,
her shyness or her silence can be attributed
to her difference.
But...
when you know her silence is not specific to her...
If I was widowed, I couldn't get hard either.
Why did you kiss me?
Out of guilt?
For trying to kill me with a box?
No, when you said I didn't recognize you,
I suddenly did, then I was ashamed I didn't.
No-one looks after me usually.
Simone de Beauvoir herself, contrary to popular belief,
shows that it's because raising children is fundamental to society...
What time do you call this?
I got a babysitter.
Are you OK?
What's going on?
I had a really nice evening.
Oh, damn, that's no fun!
And with a woman I don't know.
Oh, really?
It's much too soon.
You said so yourself.
That's not what I said.
I'm trampling on the past.
Are you?
Your choice is between your dead wife and life?
You want to respect some kind of expiry date for grief?
Well, you'll wait a while!
Your mission is to be happy
to give Lucille
a decent example to live by or else she's done for.
Goodnight.
LUCILLE, 11 MONTHS OLD
Hold on...
What?
Oh, come on!
I have to go home for Elliott.
Why? Let me come with you.
Come on, they know I exist, right?
I won't walk around naked!
Come on, just for a drink.
10 minutes!
8 minutes!
4 minutes?
Please!
- Thanks, Félix. - Thank you.
'Night.
What are you doing?
I'm blending in.
I'm sorry.
No, don't be.
Come. There's a medical emergency.
Hello.
Hello. Come on.
Well, is it an order?
Come on!
So, you can't do without your favorite neighb...?
Hello.
Oh, Elliott!
Sandra...
Emillia...
who's meeting the kids.
Great, 3 birds with 1 stone!
Hi, Sandra.
Hi. Sorry about my clothes, but...
I gather there's an emergency.
Yeah.
He needs amputating.
Cut off his weenie?
No, sir, lie back down.
- Go on. - It's a bad fracture... Scissors.
No, I'm not a surgeon, sir!
You do it!
I'm sorry, I don't have the necessary skills.
Please give the scissors to Professor...
Calculus.
A real bigwig!
No, you're the doctor.
Don't be a spoiled brat!
I should leave you to it.
- I'm coming too. - No, I'll visit your patient tomorrow.
I'll be at Dad's.
- I'll come next weekend. - No, stay.
Go, Sandra.
That was my intention.
Stay if you like.
He doesn't decide.
I do. You're not my dad!
No, but I love you like a son. Obey me like a son!
Go to your room!
No.
Come on.
- You're mean. I hate you. - Come on!
Enough.
- You be quiet. - It's not fair.
I'm not a fool.
I saw what you were up to. You stay in there.
The thing is, I get on very well with kids when I'm treating them,
but outside work...
OK...
Booboo.
You hurt yourself?
Where did you hurt yourself?
Booboo here.
In that case...
Lift your T-shirt.
Hear that?
What is it?
Lucille's heart.
May I?
Give it to her.
Look.
Happy birthday, Lucille
LUCILLE, 1 YEAR OLD
Blow!
Elliott!
You're a natural.
I've done it all my life. They're my oysters.
Your oysters?
Yeah, my parents are oyster farmers in Cancale.
Was Cancale where you met Cécile?
If you can call crushing sand castles and fighting over a spade
in diapers a meeting, then yeah.
- Here. - Oh, no.
I'm offended.
So, it was young love?
Childhood love.
What's the difference?
Childhood love is the love of bygone days.
Attachment to lots of stuff.
What's the difference with love?
I'll mail my essay to you!
Hello.
Hey, folks.
I had 14 home visits. The last was miles away.
Well, you're here now.
It's for you.
Happy birthday, Lulu.
I hope you like it. It caught my eye.
I couldn't resist it.
Go on. You can open it.
Open it.
Gently.
It sucks anyway.
Go to your room.
Do you like it at least?
Hello. Everything OK?
Oh, yes.
I was just curious to... see it.
I know lots of bookstores that specialize in law and medicine, not feminism.
Yes, because it's not a specialty.
The movement covers every field.
Sure.
Isn't it a bit paradoxical to limit it
to a single place?
Yes, it's a necessary evil.
Like men!
Not funny!
- Looking for a book? - No, actually...
I came because...
I don't want to be too intrusive, but...
I think your position is complicated.
I mean, when I put myself in your shoes.
I really believe in... seniority.
- How should I take that? - Why?
Oh, no, not like that!
I mean old ties.
It's irreplaceable.
It's unbreakable. A relationship that existed for good reasons.
What I mean is...
I need you to be part of their lives. Because you were there
for Alex who I fell in love with.
Don't worry about me. I'm a big girl.
Of course.
I didn't mean to...
Sorry, that was inappropriate.
I'll go. Sorry.
- Emillia... - Yes?
I'll tell you a story that'll sound strange.
When I was 4,
all of a sudden,
I started wearing clothes that were too small.
I wanted tight belts and scarves.
Even my sheets had to be tight or I couldn't sleep.
Why?
Well, my mother was pregnant, but she didn't know.
When she found out, I dressed normally.
- Crazy, huh? - Yeah.
Crazy.
I don't want to be intrusive, either...
but...
apparently I have a spidey sense for...
detecting pregnant women.
Don't worry, I won't impose it on you. It's hard enough
raising kids that are wanted.
So, when both parents don't want them...
Strange, I was really careful.
Careful women don't get pregnant.
I must have ovulated several times.
In my family, there are lots of twins
who get twins who are almost all heterozygous.
So, it can't be a divided embryo.
Spare me your 3rd-year studies.
Sorry, that sucked.
Forgive me.
It's OK.
It's just that with women in my family,
when a man looks them in the eye...
their ovaries go wild, and they start laying.
So, it's your fault.
You shouldn't have looked at me.
And don't worry, I'll...
I'll make an appointment.
No need for suction or even curettage.
It's just 3 pills
and it's gone.
It's going too fast. You're going too fast.
I'm sure of myself.
You're mixing up lots of things.
I think you want to keep it.
But my past is stopping you.
LUCILLE, 14 MONTHS OLD
First of all,
I want to make a toast.
A toast to Sandra.
- And her taste for adventure. - Nonsense!
You left your apartment and your books
to visit Cancale with its wildlife and threatening coastline.
I'm just practicing for my move.
What move?
I already have a date to sign...
A Tinder date?
I'm only asking!
Stop it!
- Very funny! - Thanks for telling me.
Well, we're not married.
On that note,
let's have a double toast
to Sandra.
OK, so...
Emillia and I have invited you
to say how moved we are
that all of you spontaneously accepted
to be our witnesses
at this wedding
which promises to be very singular,
judging by the indecipherable guest list
of my future wife.
Yeah, well, lists aren't our thing.
"I invite Aunt Brigitte, not cousin Robert."
That doesn't happen back home in Romania.
By the way, thank you, Fanny, for welcoming us into your home.
It's also Lucille and Elliott's. You're part of their life now.
If you don't mind, I'd like
to make a toast...
to life.
To life!
To life.
Would you agree to have him back?
Are you serious?
Yes, I am sometimes.
Have you got a health problem or something?
You'd like to be rid of me?
He's 100% my son. It's not about adopting him.
Don't take this as a declaration of love.
See his lively, laughing eyes?
His exceptional intelligence...
It's clear
that he's my son, and I'm his father.
Let's try this kind of thing:
I'm the Sunday dad,
the kid's hero, king of games and piñata. A real dad.
You'd be the mommy in the week who deals with green beans,
cleaning, and homework.
A real mom!
You'd get on with Sandra.
It's better if he lives with his sister.
Right?
We should ask him first.
Yeah, we've discussed it. He's OK with it.
Of course I agree.
Cool.
Emillia!
Yes.
Can I come in?
No.
I have something to tell you.
Not right now, please.
Are you OK?
Not really.
What's going on?
I lost it.
Can I come in?
I'd rather you didn't.
Please...
Don't worry, it'll be alright.
Just give me some time, OK?
I'd like to take a shower.
Don't your parents know?
No.
I was waiting for the first trimester.
Damn first trimester!
You need comfort when you miscarry.
If you only call on your support network
to celebrate the good things, you're not supported enough.
Or too much.
If the embryo didn't survive, it wasn't viable.
Nature does a good job.
Fuck nature.
Yeah, fuck it.
When something like this happens to you,
why do you feel much closer to random women
than your partner?
Or to your mother.
Even if she's useless.
Or to your daughter.
Even if she's dead.
There you are.
We've been looking for you.
- Are you OK? - No.
I'm not.
I'm bad luck.
Whenever I'm happy about something,
there's always an...
occult power which takes it away to teach me. My life's a bundle of shit.
Your life's a bundle of shit...
You're not the one who...
had unbearable cramps...
to push out a bloody embryo into the can
in the middle of lunch.
That's disgusting.
It's not me
who's disgusting.
It's what women go through
to have kids without complaining because it's nature,
it's what society expects.
What's disgusting is that no-one cares, right?
Here comes the feminist.
There are no feminists.
Just scum and decent people.
And you're on the right side, huh?
You take no risks.
You're in hiding.
Defend by attacking. Typical.
- Typical of men? - Yes, why not?
According to you, I can't say that I'm sad and suffering?
- That it's unfair? - Sure.
But you didn't mention Emillia's suffering before your own!
You didn't have a miscarriage or an amniotic embolism.
You may deserve pity, but you're not dead.
In your bundle, there's shit, OK.
But there's also a wonderful little girl.
There's your relationship with Elliott,
your pals...
Even your wife's ex who's a one-off.
And there's Emillia.
There's nothing but love in your life, Alex.
There's you in my bundle, too.
Yeah.
There's shit, too!
Are you really moving?
Emillia Angelika Irina Demetriu,
LUCILLE, 16 MONTHS OLD
do you take as your lawful wedded husband
Alexandre Jérôme Perthuis?
I do.
Alexandre Jérôme Perthuis,
do you take as your lawful wedded wife
Emillia Angelika Irina
Demetriu?
I get your drift!
But that's not protocol, see?
It'd be marvelous if we could all hear a thunderous "I do"!
I agree to take Emillia as my wife.
Dammit!
Do you or don't you?
I do!
I declare in the name of the law
that Alexandre Perthuis and Emillia Demetriu
are united in marriage.
Sign here.
Aren't you dancing?
I'm happy for you.
Really?
Even if...
this profusion of matrimonial conventions seems pathetic to me.
I adore you.
And I thank you.
- What for? - Everything.
You being a wallflower?
He looks happy.
Alex?
I meant Elliott.
Yes...
You don't seem pleased?
Of course I am.
Kids adapt, don't they?
You disappear from his life today...
He'll soon forget you.
You're the kind of chick...
who drinks a lot, but never gets drunk.
Yeah.
If they put us next to each other so we'd sleep together...
too bad!
Your parents know how to breed!
Thanks.
You're starting to get drunk.
Affirmative.
Are you OK?
Well, it felt good.
Sure you're OK?
Do you know the Judgment of Solomon?
Excuse me.
The Judgment of Solomon.
More or less...
What is it?
There's a dispute between 2 women.
They each just had a baby.
One baby dies, so they fight over the other.
And?
To settle the disagreement,
Solomon asks for...
a sword.
And orders: "Cut the baby in two."
One woman declares she'd rather give up the baby than see it die.
Solomon deduces...
the real mother can only be the one
who preferred to let it live, even if it meant losing it.
So, he gives the infant to her.
So?
So...
I think it's remarkable that...
you brought Elliott back to Alex.
Are you putting me in the friend zone?
Thank you for understanding. I didn't have the strength.
Kisses, eternal son-in-law.
LUCILLE, 18 MONTHS OLD
Why not keep that?
- I've seen enough of it. - It's beautiful.
Well, maybe so, but I don't want to see it.
I'll keep it, then.
No, I want to get rid of it.
I'll get rid of it for you.
I don't want to see it at your place.
You never come, anyway.
- Hey, Alex. - Can I help?
No, we've nearly finished.
You're joking!
I never came in your bedroom.
No-one ever has.
LUCILLE, 22 MONTHS OLD
You're so handsome.
How are you?
She's grown.
Good, you?
Yeah, good, thanks.
We're Christmas window shopping.
Oh, that's good.
Cheerful.
Come for dinner one night.
I mean, we... we'd like that.
Sure. I just need to check my diary. Over Christmas,
it's a rush at work.
Know what I asked Santa?
To wipe his feet on the mat?
No, as a gift.
A doormat!
A slimy spider and walkie-talkies.
That's nice. I think he can get you those, huh?
Emillia and Alex are seeing him.
We're going to Iceland.
We're going trekking, like backpackers.
You'd love it, I think.
Well, let's keep in touch.
See you.
Bye, Lucille.
Bye, sweetie.
- Let's go. - I must tell her something.
- Tell her later. - It's urgent.
- No... - It's very important. Sandra!
I forgot to say they're PAW Patrol walkie-talkies.
That's good. You're right, it's important to be precise.
Was it at Grandma's in Cancale?
No, it was in Saint Malo.
I wasn't even 1.
Yes, I'd just met you.
You were tiny.
Elliott!
Yes, it's Elliott as a baby with Dad.
It's my mommy.
Yes, with your mommy.
Another photo.
- That one? - Yes.
- She's laughing hard. - Yes.
- Eating a crepe. - Yes.
- With cream. - Yes.
- You like cream, too. - Yes.
Daddy!
And Mommy!
You're in her belly there.
No more photos.
Finished.
No, honey, no more photos.
Been there long?
I didn't want to disturb you.
Elliott found a photo album.
Lightness
My bedside book.
It really moves me.
And yet...
I'm not sentimental.
There...
- Happy holidays. - Thank you.
Excuse me, ma'am, do you have...
"In Praise of White, Heteronormative Masculinity"?
I've heard good things.
I'm sorry, we've sold out.
The bookstore's doing well.
We hold Q&As
that are very enriching. I'm pleased.
We're doing one for children with Susie Morgenstern.
You know, an American writer
with heart-shaped glasses.
Elliott should come along.
Sure.
The bank's going well, too.
We have a project with 3 big groups.
We're developing...
eco-friendly insurance products...
- That's good. - Yes.
When are you leaving?
A week from now.
Iceland is beautiful.
Well, so I hear.
How long for?
- 2 weeks. - Oh, OK.
That gives you plenty of time.
Who'll look after the children?
Fanny, David, Emillia's parents.
And me?
Who'll look after you?
No! I'd like to help out.
I mean, if you think...
it's possible.
That can be arranged.
On those 2 days, you need to take him to school.
Nathan will take over.
- Is Nathan the new babysitter? - It's him.
Something very important:
the emergency numbers are right here.
Here's a first-aid kit. Are you listening?
Yes, first-aid kit.
Every other Thursday, bring back
his friend Hannah.
The famous Hannah is back!
She's not my girlfriend!
He's gone all red!
Look at him!
If I don't call, it's because I can't get a signal.
- Don't worry. - OK.
So, what's with Hannah?
I got it!
- You won the lucky charm? - Yes!
Bravo! Who's your queen?
Lucille.
She's the queen!
If I don't call, it's because I can't get a signal.
It's a very short trek.
A 4-hour walk to reach the falls of Slej...
I'll never get it.
Seljalandsfoss.
Are you OK?
Yeah, I'm OK, I think I bought them more compote jars.
Are you sure?
Do you want us to go home just in case?
- Here. - Thank you.
You got it?
- What? - My passport.
No, I didn't take it.
Shit!
Don't tell me you remembered the compote, but not your passport?
Thank you.
What's the problem with the compote?
No problem.
Lucille has never been apart from me. It's hard to leave her.
Of course. It's just that...
For us to enjoy the trip, it would be good that you...
let go of your kids a bit. That's all.
- "Your kids"? - Yeah.
Aren't you part of their family?
Well, any parent...
likes spending time apart from them.
No shame in wanting some peace and quiet occasionally.
It's not the first thing I think of.
Unlike me, is that it?
I didn't say that.
It's worse, you thought it.
They don't have a mother.
Boarding is at 9:45 PM.
Gate 4. Your passports
and boarding cards. Enjoy the flight.
Thank you.
Why did you agree to this trip with me?
It's our honeymoon.
Yes, but we could've done lots of other things.
Why this trip?
Tell me.
Because you wanted to.
So, it's to please me?
Yeah.
Is that wrong?
No...
Attention please, the Air France flight to Reykjavik...
Good thing we didn't have that baby.
What are you trying to say?
You wanted me to keep it out of kindness and...
empathy.
Are kindness and empathy bad?
Are they values that are... negative?
No, but I'm not sure they're the values of love.
So, what are the values of love?
Do you have something to say?
- I thought you wanted it. - So did I.
So...
Did I force you into it?
No, but we're in this together, Alex.
So... if you don't recognize my responsibility, it's really hard.
It's like Cécile who was as responsible as you
for choosing to have a second child.
I'm sorry.
I'm doing this trip without you.
It's OK.
Really.
When I get back, I'll go see Lucille and Elliott
and say goodbye, OK?
I loved you.
Lots of times.
Me too.
This place is full of children!
I'll tickle you!
Oh, I'll tickle you!
Oh, how kind.
Careful you don't fall!
Oh, what a cough.
LUCILLE, 2 YEARS OLD
Elliott, look behind you.
Something weird there...
I know you're hiding something.
On the head.
I wanted the Indestructibles.
Put a sticker on his back, same difference!
Stickers suck.
No, what sucks is getting all you want, when you want, as you want.
If it all falls into your lap, what's left to do?
Piss on ant hills, saddle up flies?
- Will you teach me to saddle up flies? - No.
Why not?
Because it's mean and it's pointless.
But I'll help invent a story of a boy who's disappointed in his toy
and decides that life won't be like that.
Actually, I'm lucky.
Mom was lucky to have you, too.
Maybe we were too lucky with Mom.
Maybe 'cause it fell into our laps,
we didn't fight enough.
Sandra!
The birds flew away.
How's Lucille?
And how's the baby?
- Peepee... - Baby's doing a peepee?
On the ground.
Put another one on.
You were right to take it off.
And now... a fresh one.
Now, folks...
What are we eating?
What's that?
What is that?
THE TIES THAT BIND US
To Florence Assouline. And for my daughter, Hannah...
Loosely based on Alice Ferney's novel, "L'Intimité"
J. Miller
Subtitling TITRAFILM