L’Atalante

Jean and Juliette marry in her village and move aboard the canal barge L'Atalante with Jean's eccentric crew, Père Jules and the cabin boy. The couple begins married life at sea, while the crew's quirks press close around them. The barge becomes their small world as they depart toward Paris.

They travel along the canal toward Paris to deliver cargo, and the trip doubles as an impromptu honeymoon for the newlyweds. The mood is light as Juliette adjusts to life aboard and the crew's idiosyncrasies. The journey sets the stage for tensions to come.

Uncomfortable with a woman aboard, Jules and the cabin boy's behavior fuels Jean's jealousy. He discovers them talking near Jules' quarters and erupts, smashing plates and scattering Jules' many cats. The moment foreshadows the strain that will haunt the marriage.

In Paris, Jean promises Juliette a night on the town, but Jules and the cabin boy leave with a fortune teller instead. Juliette feels disappointed that Jean cannot leave the barge unattended, and the distance between them grows. The city, with its temptations, becomes a test for their marriage.

Jean takes Juliette to a dance hall where a street peddler flirts, dances with her, and invites her to run away with him. A tense confrontation follows as Jean asserts control over Juliette's choices. He drags her back to the barge, renewing the sense of confinement.

Still craving Parisian nightlife, Juliette sneaks off to explore the city. When Jean discovers she is gone, he angrily sets sail, leaving her behind on the river.

Juliette spends the day window shopping, unaware that the barge has already departed. After returning, she tries to buy a train ticket to follow, but is robbed of her purse. With no money, she must work her way toward Le Havre, where the barge may be headed.

Jean sinks into a deep depression as he contemplates his actions and concerns over losing his job. The company's manager calls him, but Jules intervenes to steady him and prevent him from being dismissed. The atmosphere aboard conveys growing despair.

Jean recalls Juliette's folk tale about seeing the face of one's true love in water and tries to replicate it. He dunks his head in a bucket and then jumps into the river, hoping for a sign or reunion. The ritual is a desperate act born of longing and guilt.

Jules locates Juliette in a store along the way toward reunion and they set out to bring her back to the barge. The moment marks a turning point as the search narrows to a hopeful reconciliation. Tension aboard gives way to a possible reunion.

Jules finds Juliette in a store and they return to the barge where Jean and Juliette are joyfully reunited. The earlier frictions ease as the couple resumes life aboard with their river family. The film closes on a note of hopeful harmony.