Madame Bovary

In the mid-1800s, Emma, daughter of a farmer in Normandy, leaves the convent where she was educated. She is filled with hopes for a bright future as she marries the young doctor, Charles Bovary, and embarks on a new life.

Emma and Charles move to Yonville, where Charles sets up his medical practice. Excited yet naive, Emma anticipates a romantic life but soon finds herself disillusioned by the monotony of her new existence.

With Charles consumed by his medical practice, Emma feels increasingly isolated and bored. Lacking stimulating companionship, she becomes susceptible to the local merchant, Lheureux, who introduces her to luxury goods.

Emma befriends Leon Dupuis, a young clerk who shares her romantic ideals. Although they feel a mutual attraction, Emma rejects his initial advances, leading him to pursue law studies in Paris.

Emma and Charles are invited to a hunting party hosted by the Marquis d'Andervilliers. Excited about the high-society event, she indulges in extravagant purchases for the occasion, deepening her dissatisfaction with her ordinary life.

At the hunting party, Emma captivates the Marquis with her beauty, and he begins to make subtle advances towards her. The encounter intensifies Emma's longing for a more extravagant lifestyle.

Emma's desire for luxury escalates, leading her to spend heavily on clothes and home improvements using credit from Lheureux. This financial irresponsibility sets the stage for her spiraling debts.

Encouraged by local pharmacist Homais, Charles attempts a controversial operation on a club-footed servant, Hippolyte. The operation goes horribly wrong, resulting in an amputation and deepening Emma's shame about her husband's capabilities.

Feeling trapped in her marriage, Emma confesses her unhappiness to the Marquis, leading to a passionate affair. She begins making secret visits to him, believing this relationship may fulfill her romantic desires.

Emma dreams of escaping with the Marquis, who promises to elope with her. However, as the night of their departure approaches, she receives a heartbreaking note from him, breaking off their relationship.

Devastated by the end of her affair, Emma sinks into a deep depression. This emotional turmoil starts to manifest physically, impacting her health and state of mind.

In an attempt to uplift her spirits, Lheureux offers Emma tickets to a concert in Rouen. There, she unexpectedly encounters Leon, who suggests they attend an opera together, reigniting her passion.

Emma begins an affair with Leon, manipulating Charles into believing she is taking piano lessons in Rouen. These secret meetings provide her with the escape she yearns for despite the ensuing complications.

Emma's lavish spending leads to an aggressive confrontation with Lheureux regarding her mounting debts. Facing financial ruin, Lheureux suggests she take control over Charles's estate to resolve her issues.

Overwhelmed by her circumstances and seeing no escape, Emma consumes poison from Charles's medical stash. She collapses in the woods, and as Charles begins searching for her, he realizes it's too late.