Delicacy

François proposes to Nathalie and they wed in a sequence that feels dreamlike. They honeymoon together and are immediately pressured by family to start a family.

Nathalie takes a new job, partly because her boss is sexually interested in her. The arrangement foreshadows the power dynamics at work that will unfold later.

One day, François goes out to jog and is killed in a traffic accident. Nathalie is devastated by the loss and sinks into a deep grief.

Over several days she wallows in grief, then collects François' belongings from their apartment and dumps many of them in the garbage. Her friends and family grow increasingly concerned about her numbness and withdrawal.

Nathalie returns to work and the boss reacts with renewed interest, hinting at a possible personal dynamic beneath their professional relationship. Their interactions carry an undercurrent of attraction as she re-enters the workplace.

Time passes and she remains largely devoted to her work, having had no other romantic relationship during this period. The absence of romance deepens the sense that her life is curated around work and memory of François.

At a dinner to celebrate a contract, her boss flirts with her and hints at something more. She resists his advances, stating that they can still respect each other and work together.

One day at work, Markus, a subordinate, enters her office to discuss a case and, in a trance-like state, she walks up to him and kisses him. He is stunned by the kiss and later leaves work feeling surprised and hopeful.

That night, Markus tries to understand the moment from a distance. The next day he asks why she kissed him, but she claims she must have been elsewhere and tells him to forget it.

That same day, at 5 pm, Markus returns to her office and kisses her again; she is surprised but accepts, and they decide to go to dinner. They begin to connect romantically despite their initial disbelief.

A few nights later they attend a play and walk home together. Markus admits he is falling in love and fears getting hurt, calling the feeling ridiculous.

Office gossip swirls as Nathalie's relationship becomes the talk of the workplace. They clash in front of colleagues, then reconcile; Markus gives a sentimental gift that deepens their bond.

Later, a date is interrupted by a man who openly hits on Nathalie; Markus defends her. The next day, the boss questions their relationship and hints at disapproval, which infuriates Nathalie.

Nathalie confronts her boss about his meeting with Markus; he insults Markus, calling him ugly and insignificant, and Nathalie walks out. She drives to the countryside seeking grounding and distance.

In a small countryside town, they seek François' grave but find the cemetery locked. Nathalie's grandmother welcomes Markus and declares him a good man, sealing their acceptance. They then share a quiet, hopeful moment as a couple.

That night Nathalie and Markus consummate their relationship. The next morning in the garden, Markus imagines Nathalie in various phases of her life among the garden's many 'hers', and Nathalie smiles into the camera, signaling a future beyond grief.