DIJON - SPRING 1954
For the wounded in Indochina.
I have no change.
Red Cross for the wounded in Indochina.
Tightwads! Let's try somewhere else.
MURMUR OF THE HEART
Did you hear Jelly Roll on the radio yesterday?
There was a fantastic piano solo.
For the wounded in Indochina.
Are you crazy?
I'm tired of the old jazz. Always the same thing.
The music store has the new Charlie Parker.
Let's go. - You got money?
Ouch! You've got nerve coming here for that.
I have no money. Besides, I'm against the war.
It's for the wounded.
Same thing.
Go see the boss. He's a sucker. - Come with me. I'm shy.
Listen, I'm all for charity,
but TB, nuns, old folks, cancer, blue babies - there's a limit.
But this is for France, sir.
It's a great record. Charlie Parker solos with a rhythm section.
The loony bin made him even better. - What's the loony bin?
The madhouse, stupid.
Is he crazy?
Nervous breakdown. Lots of jazzmen have them.
And no wonder - alcohol, drugs, women.
You count it. And don't steal it all.
Where's my book on Corneille?
I'm not done yet.
I need it for homework.
Get your father to help.
My father's no intellectual.
He makes washbasins.
Relax. You'll have it tomorrow.
What are you doing, Joseph?
I've got a record that'll knock your socks off.
Written and Directed by LOUIS MALLE
I ought to fire you! All you do is mess up!
It's not that hard!
Stop crying! I hate that!
Medical secretary is a serious profession!
Now, now, Solange, don't cry.
Take my handkerchief.
Come, I'll drive you home.
Hello, Augusta. Is Mama home?
Of course. You know what time it is?
Where's your cap?
Thomas, I'm no fool. With your grades,
you'll fail your exams.
As sure as two and two make four.
You sure they make four?
Five, if you like.
My Renzino, how are you?
Why are you so late? - We collected for the Red Cross.
Good. You got some fresh air.
Thomas, you're going to fail your exams, and your father'll be furious.
It'll ruin everyone's vacation.
Marc, you filthy pig!
Don't do that in my sink!
First, Dad couldn't care less anyway.
That's not true.
Second, you said you yourself never passed a single exam.
But I'm a girl. And look what happened.
I'm completely ignorant.
Thomas, that's too much!
Give that back! You've stolen enough from me already!
This time I'll tell your father.
Stop it, both of you!
What an example for Laurent!
I'm an old lady! You have no respect!
Bastard!
I need that money.
The Cintra bar won't serve me anymore.
It's bad for my reputation.
You shouldn't be going there anyway.
Take it. I'm too easy on you.
But stop helping yourself. It's getting out of hand.
I never know how much I have.
You'd never do that to me, Renzino. You're no thief.
No need to be. He collects in the street.
Solange is impossible.
Two appointments for the same time again.
She's crazy, and she never stops eating.
But otherwise she's charming, isn't she?
Yes, she's charming.
What did you do today?
I had lunch with the Desages. Their son is at Dien Bien Phu.
They're very worried about him.
Why did the French get into that hellhole anyway?
'Cause our generals are incompetent. Everyone knows it.
War is too serious to leave to the military.
That's original.
There're plenty of civilians in Indochina.
Rotten politicians lining their pockets.
You voted for them, Daddy.
So now I pick the ministers?
Did your deputy vote for the government?
Yes or no?
Is that my fault?
Leave me alone. We'll see if you do any better.
I don't vote, so I shouldn't talk,
but colonial expeditions are a bit passé in 1954, no?
Renzino, if you don't eat, you won't grow big and strong.
What's the matter? It's your favorite dish.
I'm not hungry. Leave me alone.
Stop treating me like a six-year-old.
Don't speak to your mother like that!
Augusta, serve him.
I won't eat. I said I wasn't hungry.
You're getting on my nerves. You won't eat?
Then leave the table!
Get out!
Is that how you raise your sons?
Don't be so hard on him. He's very sensitive.
Sensitive! He's a pain in the neck.
He's been unbearable lately.
Go kiss him. You know you're dying to.
After all, he's your son.
And yours too. If you took more interest -
I've given up.
Two idiots and a little genius - it's too much!
Your father's right. I should be angry with you.
Come listen to my new record.
You know I hate jazz.
And your aunt and uncle are coming.
I can't avoid them again, though they're no fun at all.
Will you come say good night?
- Do you deserve it? - I don't care that much.
Liar.
Are you going to study? Promise you'll wear your glasses?
I've come to put my darling Renzino to bed.
He's the most darling, the most sensitive of all.
Mama's favorite, always first in his class.
What? Not wearing your glasses?
You'll never be a gynecologist like your daddy.
We have an account to settle.
Don't act innocent.
Your gallant act with the money. Know what you are?
A collaborator! I ought to cut off all your hair.
Listen to this.
"But as Camus wrote,
the only serious philosophical problem is suicide."
Perhaps action is a way of avoiding suicide."
You really get something out of what you read.
Send it to Camus with an autographed picture.
"To Albert, from his young disciple."
How soft and sweet and pink!
Good enough to eat! - He's got a hard-on!
The choirboy has a hard-on! Shame on you!
I didn't even notice. You're gonna have a tiny dick, like Marc.
You're both off to a bad start.
Some sex life you'll have!
Oh, yeah? Look here.
Bigger than yours already, and I'm still growing.
Midget! Wanna see a man's dick?
I might scare you.
Great!
You need a magnifying glass.
Want to measure? Go get a ruler.
Size isn't everything, you know.
It can even be bad for your health.
- Seven. - No, 61/2.
What are they doing?
I'm not hard. That's my normal size.
Filthy pigs! Shame on you!
Look! Isn't it gorgeous?
I liked it better when you were children.
If only you'd stayed that way!
Not bad what you wrote last night.
But drop Camus. He's not worth it.
If you're into suicide, read Crevel. - Who's that?
A surrealist who gassed himself.
You ever felt like committing suicide?
You?
Once or twice.
Take General Lasalle.
Called "the finest sword in the empire." You know what he said?
"A cavalryman still alive at 30 isn't worth his salt."
How old was he when he died?
Shot in the head at 32, at the Battle of Wagram. Not bad.
Oh, no, I'm late!
Morning, Father.
Chevalier, this is too much.
This is the last time you serve mass.
I helped a blind man across the road.
Don't give me that nonsense!
He's cranky this morning.
You know it's Friday. Compulsory communion. Did you fast?
No. What's it to you?
A rebel now, eh?
Children, there'll be no sermon today.
The news from Dien Bien Phu is very troubling.
The last survivors face hand-to-hand combat,
outnumbered ten to one.
Let us pray for these heroes
who've gained the world's admiration in recent weeks,
and particularly for two of our former students who enlisted,
François Barsac and Pierre de Chambiges.
We've had no news of them.
I hope that one day, if called upon,
you'll be worthy of their example.
And don't dawdle.
Yes, Father.
Want one?
No, sacrilege doesn't interest me.
It's like blasphemy: It means you still believe.
I'd like to see a black mass I read about.
The real thing,
said by a defrocked priest
and celebrated on a naked girl's belly,
a whore hired for the occasion.
To think someone might do that in Dijon.
I knew you'd be early. I skipped a class.
Some schoolboy. Where do you live?
- Rue de la Barre. - Not far from me.
- You ever smoked? - Yes, once.
Then this'll make it twice.
Like it?
You got the latest Tintin?
But the one before it was funnier.
- What's wrong? - Leave me alone.
Why aren't you at school?
Your mother just went out.
Did you study hard?
Want some cream puffs? Leftovers from lunch.
Everyone complimented me on them.
Go to hell!
What language! I'll tell your mother.
That'll keep you busy.
One really has to be a saint in this profession.
What is it? - I want to talk to you.
- Get out of here! - Know what I just saw?
Tell me later. Come on, out!
Solange, get rid of him, will you?
The boy's crazy. I don't know where he gets it.
Hi, Joseph.
Need any help, little bugger?
Go to hell, Thomas!
You know what'll happen?
You'll lose your mind and turn impotent!
Your teeth will fall out!
You'll be the shame of the whole family!
At least put on your glasses!
Know what I heard today?
Baguemouille, the ear man,
the one who interned with me -
he got a professorship.
He can't tell an earache from pneumonia.
Don't exaggerate.
He's a little overrated, maybe.
His wife's connections helped.
She knows the right people in Paris. She's a snob.
She's a pretty woman.
And she spreads it around!
Good evening, Claudine. Forgive me, Léonce.
I really must pick up my watch. It's been at the jeweler's six months.
No kiss? - No, no kiss.
Don't worry, Mama. He's a bit tired tonight.
You know Pleven seized L 'Express?
You think the government will fall?
I hope so. They're all puppets anyway.
Great for our standing abroad. We look like fools once again.
Mendès should be elected. He's clever.
Being clever isn't enough. Does he have character?
What we need is a Clemenceau.
Or de Gaulle.
Why not Pétain?
What do you young people think?
We young people don't give a damn.
Chevalier, confession. Father Henri's waiting.
I'll go after gym.
Don't push!
Be sure to watch your butt!
Hello, Father.
Oh, it's you, Laurent.
If confessions weren't compulsory, I'd never have the pleasure.
You exaggerate, Father.
How are your two brothers?
Very well, thank you.
Glad to hear it.
Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.
I confess to Almighty God, the Blessed Virgin,
St. Michael, St. John, and the apostles Peter and Paul,
that I have sinned in thought, word and deed
through my most grievous fault.
What were your sins?
I lied to my parents.
I swore.
I smoked in the bathroom.
Is that all?
- I stole a book the other day. - What book?
The Girls by Montherlant.
Nothing else?
No wicked thoughts?
Sometimes.
Did you abuse yourself again?
Yes, Father.
How many times?
Quite a few.
Alone?
Yes, except twice with my brother Marc.
Sit down.
I want to talk to you as a friend, not a confessor.
Do you realize how serious this is?
If you don't stop these bad habits,
God will turn away from you forever.
We're all such weak...
pitiful creatures,
prey to the vilest temptations of the flesh.
For those who vow chastity, it's a struggle, believe me.
Such temptations come with your age, and you give in to them.
But watch out.
You'll form habits that you'll later find
impossible to break.
Think of your future wife.
She'll expect the same purity of you that you'll expect of her.
I'm confident you'll master this.
We have high expectations for you.
My, what muscles.
Do you do much swimming?
You've developed a lot in a year.
I bet both my hands won't even go around your thighs.
See? They don't.
Congratulations. Mens sana in corpore sano.
May I go back to gym, Father?
I have to absolve you first.
For penance, say 30 Our Fathers and 30 Hail Marys.
- Thirty? - The penance must equal the sin.
They punished my whole class Saturday.
What for?
We put a bra on the statue of St. Thérèse.
You're such babies. You know what my brothers did?
You know that big statue of St. Ignatius?
They hoisted it onto the chapel roof.
My parents were furious. - Were they caught?
Someone squealed.
They tried claiming it was a miracle. They got expelled anyway.
- Your brothers were great. - They still are.
I just read The Little Prince. Great book, don't you think?
Not bad. A bit overrated.
Stop the dirty war!
Peace in Indochina!
Stop the dirty war!
Michel, if your father saw you here!
Madam, this child is entitled to his political opinions.
Just getting home now, Laurent?
Out running around again! You'll start with the course we're on.
Renzino, darling, give me a kiss!
Did you put your glasses on?
Clara, stop treating him like a baby.
Charles, you know how sensitive he is.
He's a pain in the neck, you mean!
But do as you like. He's your son.
Augusta, another bottle, please. I'm thirsty.
What? You drank all that already?
It's always the same with your parents away!
Why are they in Paris?
Your father's attending a conference on VD.
What a filthy job!
I'm warning you, that's the last time!
That's good.
What pigs!
What are you doing, you pig? I'm not changing the tablecloth!
You may go. I'll ring when I need you.
You can bet I'll go!
You ever play "spinach tennis"?
No. What's that?
You'll see. It takes real skill.
Watch out.
Afraid to have a cigar?
Not at all.
- Here they are. - We brought you something.
Careful, it's still wet. I just finished it.
This is amazing!
You've got talent!
They really do look alike.
Let's put it up right away.
You can't tell them apart. - What'll we do with the real one?
We could sell it, buy a boat and go to Tahiti.
Don't be a fool, or I'll do time for forgery.
We'll see. Hide the real one.
If they notice, we'll say it was a joke.
I'm thirsty.
All gone. I'll go down to the cellar.
Not dancing?
Don't you know how?
Come on.
You're plastered!
But you're the cutest in the family.
You're worse than Thomas, and you stink of cigars!
You have to choose: Cigars or women.
Cigars.
You bit me, you bastard! You can't even kiss!
Shall I teach you? Open your mouth.
Not that wide.
That's disgusting with your tongue!
No, it's not. You try it.
We're out of whiskey, kids. I've got white wine and brandy.
You swine should be ashamed!
I swear I'll tell your parents!
Give me that!
What's this?
Leave that child alone, you shameless slut!
Come on, get to bed!
Let them do their dirty work alone!
Dupertuis, an 11.
Pagès, average as usual,
but not average enough: 91/2.
Renaudin...
yours was particularly poor.
You always seem to be translating from the Hindi.
You write,
"The human condition is thus that it scents of divine presence."
God's not in the perfume business, as far as I know.
You're talented, Grandsire.
Go show that to Father Superior.
I'm sure he'll appreciate your artwork.
Chevalier, you got the best grade again,
but "in the land of the blind," as they say...
You've been slipping lately.
Your ideas on suicide
are straight out of the five-and-dime of modern literature.
And from the bargain table, too.
- How was Paris? - Just fine.
Did you see The Barefoot Contessa?
Of course. Ava Gardner was fabulous.
Charles, you're tired. Come lie down.
We stopped at the Dumaines'.
What a lunch!
To begin with we had shirred eggs,
then chicken à la Lucien Tendret.
Washed down with a Chablis '45 and a magnum of Corton-Grancey.
And champagne with dessert, like traveling salesmen.
We did drink a lot!
You drank a lot.
- Isn't this a wonderful painting? - Wonderful.
Is it true your grandfather hated it?
So it seems. I salvaged it from the attic.
It's worth millions.
- Do you like it, Mama? - Of course. It's a Corot, isn't it?
Don't you? - Not much.
Of course not. Too dated for you.
You prefer Dubuffet.
My father, the smiling hero!
Laurent, my boy, we've decided to introduce you
to the joys and sorrows of sex.
We're going to Madeleine's tonight.
No, I'm going to a jazz concert.
Who's Madeleine?
Never heard of "L'Orée du Bois"?
I'm not in the mood.
Courage. We're counting on you.
You'll make the grade.
How are we going? On bikes?
Dad's lending us his car.
He just doesn't know it.
You haven't got a license.
Can't have everything.
Dinner's served. Isn't Madame here?
No, Madame is putting Monsieur to bed.
No, I won't go to my room!
Leave your bags alone.
What is it? What do you want?
A kiss.
Please, sweetheart, just a kiss.
Like we used to.
You're tired.
Go and sleep!
Go to your room now and rest.
Won't you sleep with me?
Tell me why.
You won't sleep with the big bad wolf anymore.
I'll eat you up.
You're hurting me.
You're no fun.
Where are you going?
Your father's had a bit to drink.
You look so handsome.
Sure you're going to a concert?
Don't be out too late, all right?
Watch it, idiot!
- There's not much gas. - We're not going far.
You got any cash? I don't.
You're my guests.
I get special rates.
Drink up. It'll give you courage.
Who'll we give him for his first? Dolorès?
She's got beautiful breasts,
but she rushes things.
Francine, the Belgian girl?
No, she's cross-eyed. He'd be traumatized for life.
Don't worry. We'll ask Madeleine. That's her job.
I'll wait in the car. You'll save money.
Come on, move it.
And be nice to the ladies.
I'll go talk to Madeleine. You sit down.
That boy's the same age as my son!
Can you imagine!
That's her.
She tells fantastic stories about the days of real brothels.
She should write a book. She's been in the business 35 years.
That's your little brother? Not bad.
You know what she told me?
"One look at a new client and I know what his vice is."
Do I have a vice?
Sure. You just don't know what it is yet.
- Wanna dance? - I can't. I hurt my foot.
Come on.
- My name's Freda. And yours? - Laurent Del Dongo.
Not your last name. Are they your brothers?
No, just friends.
Let's have some fun together.
They should put in an elevator here.
These shoes are killing me. They're too small.
You like them? - They're very smart.
Oh, I've got a run.
Come sit by me. So this is your first time?
Don't worry. I'm used to it.
I always get the virgins.
Everything'll be all right.
Just relax, sweetie.
I never kiss customers.
That's only for my fiancé.
Come here and I'll wash you.
I washed before I came.
Come on.
You're cute, you know that?
You're big for your age.
You're raring to go, I see.
Dry off, sweetie.
Since it's your first time, I'll take off my bra.
But you'll have to help me put it back on.
You think I have a nice figure?
Do you like me?
I've put on some weight lately.
The food's so good around here.
I hear your friends are paying for this. Nice of them.
Is it your birthday?
What soft skin!
Softer than mine.
You okay? Frightened?
Don't you worry. I'm very gentle.
Everything will be just fine.
Just do as I say.
I excite you a little, don't I?
Let me lie down,
and you get on top.
What's the rush? There's no meter running.
Ouch, that hurts!
Gently.
I'll give you the rhythm.
You like that? Nice, isn't it?
Not bad for a beginner.
You're gifted.
You'll be a lady-killer when you're older.
You bastards!
You little jerks!
That's no way to act, especially his first time!
How long is scout camp?
You going to Lake Settons?
We were real jerks last night.
We were really drunk.
When you get back from camp, I'll introduce you to a great girl.
She'll spend the whole night with you.
Go to hell! And leave my cat alone!
What's this? Teasing him again?
No one asked you, Augusta.
And you - hurry up. You have enough sweaters?
Hands out of your pockets, Michel.
- Scouts forever! - Ready!
Long live France!
The evening spreads its velvet cloak over the earth
This lonely camp wraps itself in your love
O Virgin of light Star shining in our hearts
Hear our prayer Our Lady of the Scouts
The Eagle Patrol will present Goethe's The Erlking.
Who rides so late through dark and wind?
It is the father with his child.
He holds the boy fast in his arms.
He keeps him safe and warm.
Son, why are you frightened and hiding your face?
Father, can't you see the Erlking with his -
Crown and robe.
My son, it is a wisp of cloud.
Darling child, come with me.
I will play lovely games with you.
So many flowers grow on the shore.
My mother has many golden robes.
Father, Father, can't you hear
the Erlking's whispered promises?
Hush. Be calm, my child.
It's only the wind in the dead leaves.
Darling boy, will you come with me?
My daughters already await you
to lead you in their nightly dance
and rock and sing you to sleep.
Father, Father, can't you see his daughters in the dark?
My son, I see them well.
They are but old grey willow trees.
I love you and am charmed by your beauty.
And if you're not willing, I'll take you by force.
Father, Father, he's taking me.
The Erlking is hurting me.
The father, terrified, gallops on,
holding the moaning child in his arms.
Worn and tired, he reaches home.
In his arms the child lies dead.
Hurry up. Lights out.
Can I sleep next to you?
If you hurry. You're always last.
- You're sweating. What's wrong? - I must have caught cold.
The sound is quite clear.
I can only confirm your diagnosis:
Rheumatic aortic insufficiency
due to scarlet fever,
and dilation of the left ventricle.
Excuse our jargon. It merely means a heart murmur.
I really don't think it's serious.
He must have an electrocardiogram right away.
You know the routine: Complete rest,
ice packs over the heart,
and a good dose of salicylate.
You must be careful for a month, young man.
Then we'll see.
He ought to go to Bourbon-les-Eaux.
There's no better place.
- And school? - What does that matter, darling?
You just changed it an hour ago.
It's hot, so the ice melts quickly.
Keep still! It'll slip off.
- You're getting on my nerves. - I don't care, as long as you get well.
Did you take your "sicilate"? - Salicylate. Yes, I did.
I had a strange childhood.
Until 15, I lived like a savage near Florence,
in a villa designed by Michelangelo
but with no bath or central heating.
I lived there with Augusta and never went to school.
- And your mother? - You know she died when I was three.
My father was a madman.
He got involved in politics, so his family cut off his money.
He'd come see us, with a different woman every time.
He'd rant and rave about Mussolini and the Vatican,
and then off he'd go.
One day he came to get us.
The fascists were after him.
We managed to cross the border
and ended up in Paris without a penny.
5:20!
You always make me forget the time.
This is awful!
Be a good boy and take your temperature.
- When will you be back? - What?
After dinner. I hope you'll be asleep.
You're crazy! You're out of bed, and barefoot!
Proust to amuse you and Tintin to instruct you.
Here.
- Dizzie Gillespie? Great! - We're loaded.
Did you win at the races?
Thomas sold a carpet to an antique dealer.
We found it in the attic. Five hundred francs!
We got a rotten deal, but who cares?
I'm dead! I screwed too much last night.
Don't make me laugh.
He claims he had Martine,
Dr. Picot's daughter, with the huge -
All I'm saying is I screwed too much.
Martine doesn't screw around. Frank tried all winter.
I won't argue. You're just children.
Now she's leaving for Italy.
I always get yelled at because of you.
It's great to be sick. I'm gonna stay in bed all my life.
With the entire household at your beck and call, right?
No, just you and me.
And Gusta.
Beautiful, isn't it?
But don't let it drone. Give it rhythm.
You understand the meaning? - Very well. Why?
Congratulations.
It took Heidegger 200 pages to translate two lines of Heraclitus.
Please sit down. How are the studies?
His illness has matured him.
He won't have any trouble passing.
I knew it. My son's a prodigy.
You'll be a genius like your grandfather.
It always skips a generation.
Since your son is a genius,
may I suggest you treat him like an adult?
Of course you may, Father.
It's none of his business!
That guy never stops! How old is he now?
You're a rotten player.
I can't concentrate with that damn TV.
Hello, sweetie.
We came to see the little wonder.
Evening, Claudine.
Does it work well?
Léonce refuses to buy one.
It's expensive, and the programs are lousy.
How do you know, if you don't have one?
Everyone says so.
We bought it for the children.
Hear that?
Brush your teeth! You could kill a fly at 50 feet.
What a gorgeous dame!
Where'd you come from?
Marc, come on! What's wrong with you?
I have a surprise for you.
A big surprise! I'm going to college.
I passed the entrance exam.
Are you sure? You saw your name on the list?
That's good news. What about you, Thomas?
I don't have my grades yet, but my horoscope isn't too good.
If you fail, you're going to summer school.
I think the moment has come.
Uncle Léonce, what do you think of this picture?
It's magnificent.
I love Corot. No one can compare.
It's a little dirty. It needs a cleaning.
Marc, leave it alone!
Are you sure it's genuine? I think it's a forgery.
What's wrong with you? It's beautiful.
Corots are worth a lot of money.
A painting's worth the price of the canvas and paint.
The rest is capitalist speculation.
I don't like this picture.
In fact, I hate this picture!