I Married a Shadow (J'ai épousé une ombre)

I MARRIED A DEAD MAN

Damn it...

Not qualified, they said.

What do you think? Am I qualified?

It's no use asking me.

Well, they know where they can stick their plant.

Who wants a job like this anyway, huh?

Can we go somewhere else and have a rest?

Yeah, great, you go have another rest.

I'm tired!

I'm sick of you nagging me.

I'm pregnant, you shit!

Why not just go and have it in the woods?

Like the Indians did.

No problem.

You can make like a squaw.

What are you doing?

You can't just pack up and go.

Is it work?

There's no more work.

What? I don't understand.

I've had enough, enough of you, enough of the baby, I'm going. Understand now?

Get off! I'm through with you.

Frank!

You'd leave the baby?

And you.

I don't feel well.

Was it work?

Is that it?

Did you get fired?

Get out!

Out!

How long now?

Pardon?

I'm expecting too.

Eight months.

Eight months, two weeks.

Me too.

Do you want a boy or a girl?

I don't care.

I want a boy with blue eyes and blond hair.

You think it's possible? That's his dad.

I'm Patricia.

Patricia Meyrand.

And this is Bertrand.

Are you going to see your family?

Yes.

You're travelling alone? Isn't your husband here?

You should give him an earful.

He has a lot of work to do.

So what? He can't just leave you on the train.

Don't worry about her, these train trips get her worked up.

Rubbish.

He thinks every time I'm in a good mood, I'm worked up.

Listen, when I was in America all the women I saw stood up for themselves.

You lived in America?

Yes.

Got some money, got married.

What about you?

Helene. Helene Georges.

Helene, have you ever been to California?

No? Doesn't matter, it's all mountains and deserts, if you like that stuff.

One time I was perched out over a ravine, mesmerised.

I was above a sheer drop, staring into the void.

My life was over, my boyfriend had left me.

Suddenly, I felt this enormous presence.

This hand touched my shoulder.

It was him! And from then on, I was his!

Settle down a bit.

It's not good for the baby.

Is that really how you met?

You want to hear the real story?

Here it is.

It's a beautiful day and I'm walking along past a gallery

I went in and saw this man looking at a painting.

I went up and asked him if he was an art expert.

And this strong voice replies

No, my business is grapes.

And there it is.

That's how our big romance got started.

Is that true?

It's not exactly how I remember it.

It's all true, and then after that we made a baby and got married.

Or the other way around, I can't remember.

Watch what you're doing!

Oh, look at your dress. For heaven's sake!

Sorry about that.

I don't know how that happened.

You knocked her when you got up.

Do you want to change in my compartment?

No, it's all right.

You can slip it off and I'll wash it for you.

You can't wear it like this. Let's go.

Back in a minute.

Here we are.

Take it off and I'll give you one of mine.

It's okay, I can get my bag.

It's no problem, it doesn't matter about these dresses.

I won't need them in a couple of weeks anyway.

I hope it fits, I'm a bit bigger in the middle than you.

I bet trains are like hotels. No washing clothes in the sink.

It's nice.

Can you hold this for me, I've already lost one of them.

Here, give me that.

I'll wash it.

No, no, it's my pleasure.

Put it on if you want. Go on.

Taking it off is supposed to be bad luck.

I don't believe in bad luck.

Are you feeling all right?

There.

- Is that better? - Yes.

Where are you headed to?

To Bordeaux, to his parents.

I've never met them so I'm a bit nervous.

Maybe that's why I can't keep my mouth shut.

They know about you?

Well, they know I married Bertrand and we're having a baby.

That's it.

For all they know, I'm a brunette.

Will you go back to the States?

No, Bertrand was only there to do some research on California wines.

And to marry me, of course.

He works in the vineyards on his family estate.

Where's your compartment?

I don't have a compartment.

You were going to sit the whole way?

Everything was all booked out.

Well, you stretch out here and get some rest, I'll be back in a bit. Okay?

Why are you doing this for me?

It's nothing.

Go on, get some sleep.

Shh, it's all right, just sleep.

Congratulations, madame.

You've had your baby.

Everything's fine.

It's a boy.

The nurse will bring him here.

But now you need to be strong.

For you and your baby.

I'll see that you're given a sedative so you can sleep.

Here he is.

You want to hold him?

Here, he's yours.

Go ahead.

He won't break.

What is it?

Can't you sleep?

My god, you're so tiny.

Listen.

Listen, it's your mother.

I'm not doing so great as a mama, huh?

My name's Helene.

Helene Georges.

And you're my darling.

We'll be happy together.

All right?

That's fine.

I'm happy too, little one.

My dear.

My love.

You can't stay too long, she's still quite weak.

Is she sleeping?

We've got her on sedatives.

Patricia, I'm Mr Meyrand.

Bertrand's father.

And that's my oldest, Pierre.

My wife wanted to come, but...

the doctor said that she shouldn't.

She's too distraught.

No, no...

Don't try to talk.

Don't talk.

They showed us the baby, he's a fine boy.

A wonderful baby.

It's a tragedy, isn't it?

Patricia, I want you to know that we're ready for you to come to us.

That's if you want to come, of course.

I know that you don't have any family...

so we're offering you ours.

It's not perfect.

We have our faults, eh, Pierre?

But, ah...

We all get along together well.

With you and your child there...

I'm sure you'd fit in very well with us.

After all, you're my son's wife, aren't you?

Now that he's dead, as far as we're concerned you're our daughter.

But sir...

No, no, I realise that we don't even know each other...

but we will.

Anyway, it's something to think about.

I shouldn't mention this, but...

I know my wife is looking forward to seeing you...

and your baby...

It'd give her a new lease of life.

It's been hard for her.

Yes, terrible.

I think Patricia's feeling tired now.

Yes, yes, my boy's right.