Along Came Love

The narrative spans the late World War II years and the immediate post-war period in France. It depicts social stigma for collaborators, the slow rebuilding of lives, and the couple’s attempt to secure a stable bourgeois existence. The timeline culminates in the early post-war era as consequences catch up with the characters.

The action shifts from the Breton coastline at the Hôtel Beaurivage to the urban life of Paris. Brittany anchors Madeleine’s post-shaming life, while Paris becomes the stage for François’s academic ambitions and the couple’s unraveling. The story also drifts to areas near an American military base, reflecting the lingering Allied presence shaping local life after the war.

💔 Love and Shame

A wartime liaison subjects Madeleine to public judgment, testing the endurance of love under social stigma. The film explores how personal loyalties collide with community condemnation and the resilience required to protect family. The emotional toll of passion reverberates through Madeleine and François’s fragile bond.

🗝️ Secrets and Paternity

Daniel’s question of his real father is kept in the shadows by Madeleine’s concealment. When truth surfaces, fear of social repercussions redirects the family’s fate. The Wehrmacht archives and other secrets drive the plot and shape future generations.

🕰️ Memories and Consequences

The war’s aftermath lingers in memory and guilt, influencing every decision. François’s bisexuality and their volatile dynamic reveal the pressures of survival in a changing society. The film shows how past choices reverberate into the present and beyond.