Meanwhile

Meanwhile

Year: 1999

Runtime: 25 mins

Language: Portuguese

Director: Miguel Gomes

Drama

A love triangle between two boys and a girl who drift through life from a rugby game, to a pool party, to the beach.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Meanwhile yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Meanwhile (1999)

Trace every key event in Meanwhile (1999) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Opening mood in Montréal restaurant

Carmen Ferland and Jocelyne Zucco chat with customers as the dining room fills. The scene introduces a range of patrons—the mother and daughter, an older couple, a young quarrelling pair—creating a lively, intimate atmosphere in a Montréal restaurant.

Montréal restaurant
2

Bomber at reserved table initiates plan

A portly man sits at a reserved table and secretly places a dynamite timer underneath. He rises to make a phone call using the restaurant's phone as two English-speaking mafiosi enter and claim the same table, synchronizing their fates with the bomber’s scheme. The stage is set for a silent, deadly clockwork amid ordinary meals.

5:00 Restaurant, reserved table
3

Countdown begins and lights flare

A montage of faces lights up as the five-minute countdown starts. The bomber exits briefly to adjust a trash bin and leaves the remote beneath the table; the restaurant resumes its routine while danger quietly approaches.

Inside the restaurant; nearby bin
4

Josée-Marguerite notices something under the table

The little girl Josée-Marguerite spots a sign of trouble under the reserved table and points it out to her mother. The mother initially dismisses the sight, while the countdown continues, foreshadowing the dramatic danger beneath the surface.

3:15 Restaurant, under the reserved table
5

That woman's dynamite and reflections

The quarrelling couple settles in while an older man looks on; the reflection in a pocket watch shows the red light of the timer. The portly man mutters 'That woman’s dynamite!' and the tension blends with humor as the scene tightens around the impending explosion.

2:55 Restaurant table
6

Waitress declares the meal free; dish shift

The first waitress proclaims the meal free as she takes the dish away, accidentally causing a momentary scramble as the portly man ends up seated with the dish in front of him. The dining room's ordinary rituals proceed even as the bomb lingers beneath the surface.

2:35 Restaurant, near the booth
7

Josée-Marguerite investigates the bomb

The mother steps away briefly, and Josée-Marguerite leaves the booth to get a closer look at the bomb. Her mother hastily reclaims her and scolds the girl, while the device remains half dislodged beneath the table.

Restaurant, under the table area
8

Countdown to 0:59; quiet tension

The portly man orders coffee and cigarettes as the timer ticks toward danger. The older lady privately counsels the younger man to slow down, adding a note of uneasy calm to the escalating scene.

0:59 Restaurant area near the counter
9

Older lady departs, man follows; door delays

The older lady slides toward the door with a knowing smile, distracting the portly man who rises to follow. A new patron delays him, as the countdown moves toward its final push, and the room tightens with anticipation.

0:42 Restaurant doorway
10

Mother's boyfriend arrives; lovers reconcile

The mother’s awaited boyfriend arrives just as the young couple reconciles with a kiss, briefly restoring a sense of normalcy. The older lady remains a quiet presence as danger continues to loom in the background.

0:28 Restaurant booth
11

Remote found and reactivated under pressure

The countdown races from 0:10 to 0:03, then stops as the older lady retrieves the remote from the bin outside. She flips it, and the timer ticks down to 0:01 before she discards the device again, failing to resolve the threat but buying a moment of ambiguity.

0:03-0:01 Bin outside the restaurant
12

Aftermath and uneasy calm

Inside, the portly man samples the older lady's leftovers while Josée-Marguerite meets her mother's boyfriend and the waitresses share news. The bomb remains half-dislodged under the table, with the timer still showing 0:01, leaving the scene suspended in a fragile, unsettled calm.

Restaurant interior

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 08:26

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Meanwhile

Don't stop at just watching — explore Meanwhile in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Meanwhile is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Meanwhile Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Meanwhile, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Meanwhile Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Meanwhile

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Meanwhile. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Meanwhile

Meanwhile Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Meanwhile that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Meanwhile Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Meanwhile

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Meanwhile: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Meanwhile

Similar Movies to Meanwhile

Discover movies like Meanwhile that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.