L’amant Double (The Double Lover) (L'Amant Double)

DOUBLE LOVER

Am I hurting you?

Are you sure?

Yes.

Just a little infection.

Nothing serious.

But be careful of your weight.

If you lose more, your periods will stop again.

And my stomach pains?

They're back?

They're getting worse.

I see nothing abnormal.

I can prescribe an ultrasound if you like.

I think it's mainly psychological.

In your head.

Could you recommend someone?

Yes.

I think I'm ready.

Would you prefer a man or a woman?

Paul Meyer Psychiatrist

Ms. Fortin?

Have a seat.

I suppose I should start?

If you like.

I've always had stomach pains.

I've tried a number of diets.

I went gluten-free.

I've seen specialists, but they never find anything.

People say it's psychological,

the stomach being a second brain.

So I might as well see a shrink.

I understand.

I'm 25.

I live alone.

Well, not completely. I live with my cat, Milo.

I'm currently looking for work.

It's tough, I'm stressed.

I say the wrong things, blow everything.

I made good money when I was younger.

As a model.

But I quit.

I've had a few lovers.

Nothing major.

I think I'm incapable of loving.

I feel empty sometimes.

Like something's missing.

Sometimes I cry for no reason.

There you are.

Think you can help me?

I think the pain you feel reveals something about you.

Together, we'll try to find out what it is.

I dreamt about you already.

Is that a good sign?

I'm listening.

I was pregnant.

By who, I don't know.

But it hurt, real bad.

My stomach kept expanding. I was afraid it'd explode.

I was here, lying on a gynecological table.

You had steel instruments

resembling torture instruments.

I asked you not to hurt me but you didn't respond.

You spread my legs

and looked at my sex.

I tried to close my legs. I felt you were going to rape me.

Ridiculous, no?

When I started modeling, it was...

exciting.

Then it got sleazy.

I wanted to be an actress as a kid.

I wanted...

to charm.

Seduce those around me.

Especially the adults.

My mother's friends.

I liked feeling them looking at me.

But I didn't like them touching me.

I was shy.

Awkward.

I often imagined I had a sister.

A twin.

A double, who would protect me.

When I was 7, my mother told me I was an accident.

From a one-night stand she'd forgotten.

She wouldn't recognize his face.

Maybe he was violent with her.

Or maybe he paid for her.

Like a whore.

I was raised by my grandparents.

My mother didn't have time.

She was a beautiful woman.

Free,

intelligent.

But there was no tenderness between us.

When I imagine her death, her funeral...

I feel nothing.

In her coffin, I see myself.

Dead.

I don't see her anymore.

But I feel she's watching me.

Knows my thoughts.

In my dreams she looks at me harshly.

She judges me.

I feel she doesn't love me.

And it hurts.

Hurts where?

In my stomach.

For once you speak.

When you look at me that way...

I feel I exist.

Hello.

They called me today.

I got the job.

Part-time in a museum, decent pay.

Watchwoman.

It's funny.

Funny?

Watching people is strange.

Then again, it's a museum. Not a prison.

It's thanks to you.

You gave me confidence.

My stomach hasn't hurt in a week.

I'm afraid I'll get better.

Why?

I think I want to stay weak.

Keep hurting, while you...

stay strong.

Nothing to say today?

I feel good.

I think I'm happy.

Right.

Then we should end our sessions.

Why? Did I do something wrong?

No.

It´s me.

This has never happened before.

I have feelings that make it impossible to continue.

Feelings?

Yes.

I'll recommend a colleague.

An excellent therapist.

No need, thanks.

We should take the time to discuss it.

No need.

You don't think you've cured me?

I think you were my remedy.

Goodbye.

Don't play with this.

I'm not playing-

Hello.

Are you the one moving in on the 13th floor?

Yes.

Hello, miss.

We'll be neighbors, I'm on the same floor.

That's nice.

I loved my last neighbors.

They had to leave. She was pregnant.

You have a cat?

Yes.

What a sweetheart!

He's so cute.

- What's his name? - Milo.

Milo, you're a looker!

How old are you?

Seven.

I've always loved cats.

I had a darling one who died 2 years ago.

You should get a new one.

No.

Goodbye, miss.

Goodbye.

It's me.

- Chloé, are you here? - I'm here.

Hello, my love.

I see your cat's right at home.

- Want a drink? - Yes.

- How was your day? - I spent it at the hospital.

It's so different to see people in real pain,

who need me.

Makes a change from me.

You're my very special case.

You OK?

Yes.

Are you sure?

It's strange, you know everything about me.

But I sometimes feel I'm with a stranger.

Like you're hiding things.

Why do you say that?

I found your old passport in a box.

- You got into my stuff? - I was just unpacking.

I saw you had a different name.

Delord, I believe.

Don't want to talk about it?

Sure.

It's not important.

That's why I didn't tell you.

When I began my practice I took my mother's name.

Paul Meyer has a ring to it, no?

We said not in the bedroom.

Sorry.