Le divorce (2003) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Tellman is Magda's husband, and he becomes consumed by rage after Charles-Henri abandons his wife to marry Roxy. Driven to madness by the emotional strain and believing Roxy is responsible for destroying his marriage, Tellman murders both Charles-Henri and Magda during an outing. His obsession with blaming Roxy for his wife's abandonment leads him to commit this double murder, which he later justifies as revenge for his own fractured family.

Foreshadowing: Magda's increasing obsession and confrontations with Roxy hint at the unraveling of her mental state and foreshadow the violence to come.

• tellman
• magda
• charles-henri
• murder
• revenge
• obsession

Roxy is abandoned by her husband Charles-Henri, who is leaving her to marry his mistress Magda Tellman. Already pregnant and emotionally devastated by his infidelity, Roxy is further humiliated when Magda prepares to take her place in the family. The combination of heartbreak, abandonment, and the collapse of her family dignity becomes overwhelming, leading her to attempt suicide during a late pregnancy complication.

Foreshadowing: Roxy's deepening emotional struggles throughout the story build to this crisis point.

• roxy
• suicide
• pregnancy
• charles-henri
• abandonment
• mental health

The painting of Saint Ursula, attributed to Georges de La Tour, is a valuable artwork contested between Roxy and Charles-Henri during their divorce. While the Louvre dismisses it as a forgery, the J. Paul Getty Museum shows significant interest. The painting ultimately sells at auction for 4.5 million Euros, securing the Walker family's financial future and leading them to establish the Fondation Sainte Ursule as a philanthropic endeavor.

Foreshadowing: Early references to the painting's contentious ownership establish it as a symbol of the family's conflict and future fortune.

• la tour painting
• saint ursule
• getty museum
• auction
• forgery

Isabel meets Edgar Cosset, a charming and wealthy man, while adjusting to life in Paris. Despite knowing he is married to Amélie, Isabel becomes drawn into an affair with him. Edgar lavishes her with extravagant gifts, including a red Hermès Kelly bag, and their relationship develops quickly. Isabel appears to be seeking comfort and stability following her own difficult circumstances, though her involvement ultimately leads to complications when Amélie discovers the infidelity.

Foreshadowing: Isabel's initial romance with Yves and her adjustment to Paris set the stage for her poor judgment in pursuing a married man.

• isabel
• edgar
• affaire
• amélie
• hermès bag

After murdering Magda and Charles-Henri, Tellman confronts Isabel at the Eiffel Tower, brandishing a firearm and demanding to explain his actions to Roxy. During the tense standoff, Isabel manages to get through to Tellman by talking him down. She convinces him to surrender his weapon, and she throws the gun into the Seine River, ending the dangerous confrontation without further violence.

Foreshadowing: Tellman's earlier confrontations with both Isabel and Roxy establish his volatile state and escalating threats.

• eiffel tower
• standoff
• tellman
• gun
• surrender

After Charles-Henri's death, the ownership of the Saint Ursula painting is established, and it is sold at auction to the J. Paul Getty Museum for 4.5 million Euros. This windfall transforms the Walker family's fortunes. They then establish the Fondation Sainte Ursule, linking their charitable efforts to the art world and marking a new chapter for the family after the traumas they endured.

Foreshadowing: The earlier controversy over the painting's authenticity and ownership sets up this final resolution.

• painting
• auction
• getty
• 4.5 million
• foundation

Magda Tellman believes Roxy is responsible for her husband's abandonment. When Charles-Henri leaves Magda to finalize his divorce from Roxy and marry her, Magda's mental state deteriorates. She becomes convinced that Roxy caused the breakdown of her marriage, leading her to stalk and confront both Roxy and Isabel. Her obsession culminates in dangerous behavior that contributes to the tragic events that follow.

Foreshadowing: Magda's increasing confrontations and erratic behavior are flagged early in the story.

• magda
• tellman
• roxy
• obsession
• confrontation

During Roxy's darkest moment following her suicide attempt, she receives crucial support from her sister Isabel and their lawyer Bertram. As Roxy struggles to recover and faces the challenges of new motherhood, she and Bertram grow closer through their shared experiences and his unwavering support during the legal and emotional turmoil. Their connection eventually leads to marriage, providing Roxy with a fresh start and a stable future.

Foreshadowing: Bertram's role as their lawyer and his support during the suicide crisis hint at their developing relationship.

• roxy
• bertram
• lawyer
• marriage
• new love

After Amélie discovers Edgar's infidelity through her cousin Suzanne, the situation creates significant tension between the families. Despite the intense emotional connection, Edgar chooses to end his affair with Isabel during lunch. He gifts her a coveted Hermes scarf as a parting token, marking the conclusion of their relationship. The end of the affair coincides with the broader fallout from the revelation of his betrayal.

Foreshadowing: The tense brunch where secrets unravel between Roxy and Amélie foreshadows this discovery.

• edgar
• isabel
• affair
• amélie
• hermes scarf
• ending

After Tellman murders Magda and Charles-Henri, he seeks out Roxy to make her face the consequences of what he believes she caused. He finds Isabel instead at the Eiffel Tower and holds her at gunpoint, demanding to explain his actions to Roxy. His deranged quest for vengeance stems from his belief that Roxy destroyed his marriage by taking Charles-Henri away, leading him to target the Walker family in his psychotic break.

Foreshadowing: The double murder at the climax sets up this final violent confrontation.

• tellman
• eiffel tower
• vengeance
• gun
• hostage