Pardon Mon Affaire

In Paris, four men in their 40s meet regularly to play tennis and socialize, forming a close-knit circle. Étienne Dorsay is a senior civil servant married to Marthe with two teenage daughters, while his friends include a hypochondriac doctor named Simon, a serial womanizer named Bouly, and a car salesman named Daniel. This steady routine sets the stage for the tensions to come when Étienne becomes attracted to Charlotte.

In the office building car park, Étienne spots Charlotte, a beautiful young model, as a gust of wind lifts her dress. He is instantly attracted and begins pursuing her, despite his loyalty to Marthe. Charlotte responds with amused interest, inviting the pursuit rather than a blunt refusal.

Charlotte invites Étienne to meet her in London, but he fabricates a business trip to explain his absence. A foggy morning causes his plane to be diverted to Brussels, interrupting the rendezvous. Still determined, Étienne pursues Charlotte despite the disruption.

Returning to Paris, Daniel drives Étienne and Charlotte to Étienne's godmother's apartment where his family has gathered for a surprise party. Daniel pretends that Charlotte is his girlfriend to avoid arousing suspicion and escorts her to her destination. This ruse helps maintain appearances as the affair develops in the shadows.

Étienne's wife Marthe and the two daughters arrive at the godmother's apartment for a surprise birthday gathering. The scene contrasts Étienne's stable home with the secret relationship he is cultivating with Charlotte. Friends orchestrate the evening, setting up a later meeting with Charlotte.

Later that night, Étienne leaves with Charlotte and goes to her apartment. They consummate their attraction, deepening the affair and complicating Étienne's loyalty to Marthe. The moment marks a turning point from flirting to a physical relationship.

The next morning, Charlotte's husband calls to say he is downstairs, having unexpectedly returned from a trip. Charlotte quickly instructs Étienne to wait on the ledge outside her eighth-floor apartment, hoping the husband will leave. The lovers' secret is placed under sudden pressure as discovery seems imminent.

The couple finishes their sexual encounter and closes the window, leaving Étienne stranded on the narrow ledge. He is exposed to the crowds below on the Champs-Élysées and becomes the subject of public spectacle. Friends and onlookers gather as suspense and danger intensify.

A crowd forms around the peril, assuming Étienne is suicidal, while the fire brigade arrives with a life net. A television crew films the dramatic rescue as Étienne's wife and daughters watch from below. The incident turns a private infidelity into a public ordeal.

Charlotte waves goodbye to Étienne from the street as she leaves with her husband. The rescue operation and media attention keep Étienne in the public eye while the affair remains unresolved. The moment underscores the fragility of Étienne's domestic life and the lure of thrill.

As the net is prepared, Étienne scans the crowd for potential conquests and spots a blonde reporter. He chooses to jump into the life net, declaring that he is 'only at the beginning of his ascent.' The line refreshes his pursuit of risk and visibility over secure domestic life.

The film ends with Étienne embracing the idea that ascent means ongoing risk rather than settled happiness. The fate of his relationships remains unresolved as the audience is left with the sense that his journey is only beginning. His decision signals a transformation from private intrigue to public spectacle.