Come As You Are (2011) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

They hid their true purpose from their parents by claiming they were visiting the vineyards of Bordeaux. The parents preferred to keep the actual reason private, so the friends used the wine tour as a cover story. This allowed them to pursue their goal of visiting a brothel that caters to disabled clients while maintaining some level of parental approval for their journey.

• disabled brothel
• wine tour
• parents
• secrecy
• trip to spain

Lars received the devastating news that he has an aggressive form of cancer. His doctor explicitly forbade him from traveling due to the health risks associated with his terminal brain tumor and declining physical condition. Despite this medical warning, the friends decided to proceed with their plans anyway, demonstrating their determination to pursue their dreams despite the circumstances.

• lars
• cancer
• terminal illness
• doctor
• travel ban

Claude is a young woman hired as their nurse and driver for the trip. A nurse originally assigned to accompany them refused to go without parental permission but recommended Claude as a replacement. Philip agreed to cover most expenses using his savings. She proved essential to the journey by driving them across France into Spain and caring for their medical needs.

• claude
• nurse
• driver
• caregiver
• hired help

They perceived Claude as stiff and unattractive, partly due to her weight. They also assumed she was stingy because she demanded a substantial daily allowance yet preferred to picnic instead of eating in restaurants. Additionally, they believed she didn't speak Dutch, which allowed them to speak freely about her without realizing she might understand. These initial impressions proved superficial compared to her true character.

• claude
• first impressions
• prejudice
• attraction
• initial dislike

Claude demonstrated her competence and quick thinking when Jozef accidentally fell overboard during their journey. She immediately acted to rescue him, saving his life. Her pragmatic attitude was evident when she mentioned it wouldn't be good for business if clients died during the process, showing both her professionalism and dry sense of humor.

• jozef
• overboard
• rescue
• claude
• drowning
• heroic act

The parents eventually realized their children had left on the trip despite the doctor's orders and their objections. Concerned for Lars's health and safety given his terminal condition, the parents pursued them along their route through France and into Spain. This created a tense confrontation but ultimately led to the parents accepting their sons' wishes.

• parents
• chase
• confrontation
• france
• spain
• caught up

The confrontation between parents and sons created significant tension. However, through their determination and arguments about living life fully, the friends convinced their parents to let them continue pursuing their dreams. This moment marked a turning point where the parents reluctantly accepted their children's autonomy and desire for independence despite the risks.

• parents
• confrontation
• acceptance
• letting go
• independence

Yes, the friends completed their journey and reached Spain. Their determination to pursue their goal despite obstacles allowed them to fulfill their wish of visiting the brothel that caters specifically to disabled clients. The trip was about more than just the physical act, it represented their quest for independence, intimacy, and living life fully despite their physical limitations.

• spain
• brothel
• goal achieved
• journey completed
• trip success

The ending is bittersweet because while the friends successfully achieve their goal, Lars's terminal brain tumor casts a shadow over their success. His aggressive cancer means his time is limited, making their victory feel tempered by the knowledge of his declining health. The story balances their triumph in pursuing happiness with the tragic reality of Lars's condition.

• lars
• terminal cancer
• bittersweet ending
• mortality
• success tempered

Their initial prejudice evolved into deep appreciation. They saw Claude save Jozef from drowning and defend Lars against an aggressive stranger, revealing her loyalty and courage. Philip, who initially disliked her most, came to value her resilience and character. Their shared experiences transformed their superficial judgments into genuine friendship and respect.

• claude
• friendship
• changed perceptions
• bonding
• growth
• respect

The friends share a strong desire to experience intimacy and be like any other young people their age. Living with significant physical disabilities, blindness, paralysis, and a terminal illness, hasn't diminished their human desires for connection and sexual experience. Their trip represents a quest for normalcy, independence, and fulfilling a basic human need that society often assumes disabled people don't have.

• virginity
• intimacy
• disability
• desire
• independence
• normal life

The friends were determined not to give up on their dreams, especially after learning about Lars's terminal condition. They felt that living with limitations and missing out on life's experiences would be worse than the risks involved. Their decision reflects a powerful desire for autonomy and living life fully, choosing to pursue happiness rather than accepting restrictions placed upon them.

• rebellion
• independence
• determination
• parents objections
• terminal illness
• pursue dreams