10:30 P.M. Summer

Maria and Peter Finch, a woman in her forties with a complex inner life, and her husband Paul, embark on a journey across Spain with their youthful companion Romy Schneider. Their trip takes them through various scenic locations, but things take a tense turn when they pull into a small, remote town en route to Madrid. There, they learn about a local man who has recently murdered his wife and her lover, and that he remains at large in the area. The situation becomes more precarious as a violent thunderstorm traps them in the town’s only hotel, which is overcrowded with other travelers seeking shelter from the relentless storm.

Within this confined space, Maria’s character is depicted as an alcoholic woman who habitually drifts in a kind of dreamlike state, often hiding her vulnerabilities behind a veneer of detachment. She appears to subtly encourage her husband Paul to pursue a flirtation or an affair with Claire, a younger woman traveling with them, played by Romy Schneider. As the storm rages outside, Maria seeks solace outside with a bottle of alcohol and witnesses a tender moment between Paul and Claire on a balcony, where they share a kiss that deepens her underlying tensions.

The storm signifies more than just weather; it acts as a catalyst for Maria’s increasingly erratic behavior. During the night, she spots the fugitive hiding on a nearby rooftop and, driven by a strange mix of pity, guilt, and perhaps a sense of daring, she decides to help him escape. She drives the man away in her car to a desolate part of the desert, where she believes he can find safety. When Paul and Claire learn about his hiding spot, they set out to find him but are devastated to discover that the man has taken his own life, a tragic ending that leaves everyone shaken. The group agrees to keep silent about what they know and continue their journey to Madrid, choosing to bury the truth for the moment.

Upon reaching Madrid, Maria reveals her fixation with the fugitive, secretly wishing to incorporate him into their strange dynamics as a “fourth player” in their ongoing emotional game. Her true desire, however, is to rekindle her relationship with Paul. Driven by alcohol and her inner turmoil, she dreams vividly of Paul and Claire making love, telling Paul the next day about her fantasy. This confession sparks a fragile and tense exchange—a desire to reconnect that ultimately ends with Maria stating she no longer loves Paul, an admission he dismisses as insincere.

The trio later visits a flamenco club, a vivid cultural setting that provides a temporary escape from their inner conflicts. Maria, now intoxicated and seemingly carefree, slips away from the others during the performance, disappearing into the bustling city streets. Paul and Claire are left to search for her in vain, their concern deepening as her whereabouts remain unknown. The story ends on an ambiguous note, emphasizing themes of loneliness, disconnection, and the elusive nature of happiness amidst turmoil and unresolved passions.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:14