Goodbye First Love

Camille, a 15-year-old girl, finds herself deeply infatuated with her 19-year-old boyfriend, Sullivan. As he prepares for a 10-month journey to South America with his friends, Camille is left feeling insecure and resentful, questioning his love for her at every moment. Their last moments together at her mountain retreat in Ardèche begin on a high note but quickly spiral when Camille, overwhelmed by abandonment, confronts Sullivan about his absences. After a brief quarrel, they reconcile, with Sullivan vowing to love her eternally.

However, once he departs, Camille is left in despair. Although she receives letters from Sullivan, their tone shifts increasingly towards sorrow, culminating in his decision to end their relationship and a cessation of communication. Overcome with despair, Camille attempts to take her own life but survives and resolves to move past her heartache.

Fast forward four years, Camille has put her past behind her, channeling her energy into her studies in architecture. During this time, she develops feelings for her much older professor, Lorenz, seeing in him both stability and an intellectual partner. As life progresses, Camille unexpectedly crosses paths with Sullivan’s mother and ultimately reconnects with Sullivan himself. Despite facing the trauma of a miscarriage on the same day she rekindles her feelings for him, the attraction is undeniable.

An affair ignites between Camille and Sullivan while Lorenz is away. They confess their lingering love for one another, putting a strain on Camille’s relationship with Lorenz. Just as she plans a trip to Sullivan’s new residence in Marseilles, a strike foils her plans, leaving her disappointed but still hopeful. A letter arrives from Sullivan — a poignant revelation that he dreams of her, yet cannot bear the weight of their relationship, indicating a desire to part ways for the time being. Camille, heartbroken yet resilient, begins to reforge her bond with Lorenz.

In a bittersweet scene, amidst the idyllic surroundings of her mountain home, Camille invites Lorenz to join her at the river. She clutches a hat that Sullivan had once gifted her, a symbol of their past. As she plays by the water, the hat suddenly drifts away, floating down the river, echoing the transient nature of love and memory as the film concludes.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 17:09