Faithless

In the frame story, an aging director named Bergman conjures Marianne and interviews her to piece together the story of her life-changing affair. The interview sets Marianne's memories in motion, revealing the choices she will be judged for. Bergman acts as a guide through the narrative, shaping how her tale will unfold.

Marianne is married to Markus, a conductor, and they have a young daughter named Isabelle. Her best friend is David, who is seeking funding for a film project. The domestic routine is established, but the presence of David hints at an outside connection that could disrupt the marriage.

David approaches Marianne in Markus's absence and asks if they can sleep together. Marianne insists she sees him like a brother, but she agrees to share a bed in nightwear without sexual activity. The moment sets a boundary and foreshadows the complexities to come.

Marianne and David plan to be in Paris for separate projects, and Markus is aware of their travel. Marianne contemplates the possibility of meeting in Paris without deceiving Markus about their whereabouts. The arrangement plants the seed for an ongoing long-distance secret affair.

In Paris, Marianne and David begin their affair, moving beyond casual boundaries. David probes Marianne about her sexual history, triggering discomfort as she recounts past experiences with Markus. The affair deepens, and jealousy takes hold.

Back from Paris, the relationship continues, but Markus realizes something is going on between Marianne and David. He becomes controlling and suspicious, sparking tensions that foreshadow divorce. Marianne watches how the affair recalibrates the balance of power in the marriage.

Markus decides to pursue a divorce and seeks full custody of Isabelle. Marianne hires a lawyer who outlines the uphill battle she faces given her perceived desertion of the home. The legal struggle sets the stage for a conflict over who gets to shape Isabelle's life.

Marianne moves in with David and the two plan to marry. She becomes pregnant with his child, a development that could influence custody outcomes. The couple's life together appears bright on the surface, even as the legal storm brews outside.

The lawyer advises that improved conditions could help Marianne's custody case, nudging her toward stability and legitimacy. Markus reaches out to meet Marianne one-on-one to settle the custody matter for Isabelle's sake. The negotiation intensifies as both sides maneuver for advantage.

Marianne agrees to meet Markus alone, but at the meeting he attempts to coerce her with a sexual proposition in exchange for custody. The encounter exposes the coercive dynamics behind custody battles. Marianne faces a grim moral choice as the power balance shifts dramatically.

Marianne confesses the affair to David, and the two decide to separate. She undergoes an abortion, ending the pregnancy with David. The personal costs of the affair become part of the public record of their lives.

News reaches Marianne that Markus has committed suicide. She also learns that he had been unfaithful with his page-turner, revealing the hidden fractures in his own marriage. The revelations complicate Marianne's feelings of guilt and closure.

Bergman bids farewell to Marianne, signaling an end to the frame tale even as she suspects they will meet again. The director's departure leaves Marianne to carry the memory of the affair and its consequences. The film closes on a note of unfinished connections and possible return.