The Midwife

The Midwife

Year: 2017

Runtime: 117 min

Language: French

Director: Martin Provost

Echo Score: 73

Budget: $6.8M

Drama

A dedicated midwife faces challenges as a hospital seeks to take over her practice. She unexpectedly finds support in her father’s former lover, a woman searching for a fresh start. Their lives become intertwined as they navigate personal struggles and professional obstacles, forging an unlikely bond and discovering strength in each other's company.

The Midwife (2017) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Midwife (2017) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a modest neighborhood on the outskirts of Paris, a small maternity unit clings to its purpose amid looming corporate pressure. Claire is a devoted midwife whose days are filled with the quiet drama of new life, the steady rhythm of prenatal care, and the steady worry that the hospital plans to absorb her beloved practice. The atmosphere is intimate yet tense, a blend of hopeful beginnings and the anxiety of inevitable change, all set against the gentle hum of ordinary French life.

When a voice from the past reaches out, Beatrice steps into Claire’s world, bringing with her the lingering echo of a family secret and a yearning for renewal. Once connected only by the memory of a shared father, she arrives seeking her own fresh start, her vibrant personality clashing with Claire’s grounded, self‑sacrificing nature. Their encounter promises an unlikely companionship: Beatrice’s flamboyant energy and the midwife’s steady compassion create a dynamic that hints at both friction and unexpected support, suggesting that the bonds we form can become anchors in moments of professional and personal upheaval.

Beyond the walls of the clinic, Claire tends to a small allotment garden where she finds solace, and she cares for her young son in a cozy apartment that feels both sanctuary and reminder of the life she balances. It is there she meets Paul, a charismatic lorry driver whose long‑distance journeys echo the distances she must travel within herself. Their growing connection adds a subtle warmth to the story, hinting at the possibility of love and personal happiness amid the challenges that unfold. The film weaves these threads together with a tender, bittersweet tone, inviting viewers to linger in the quiet spaces where resilience and unexpected alliances take root.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 03:12

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with Healing Connections like The Midwife

Two people from different worlds find unexpected solace in caring for each other.If you liked the tender, transformative bond between Claire and Beatrice in The Midwife, explore these movies about unlikely friendships forged through caregiving and shared hardship. Find similar character-driven dramas where compassion and companionship provide a path through personal struggles.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically introduce two distinct individuals, each carrying their own burdens, whose lives become intertwined in a caregiving or support role. The story unfolds through their daily interactions, moving from initial friction or awkwardness to a deep, mutually beneficial bond that helps them confront past wounds and face the future.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a focus on the redemptive power of human connection, particularly between people who wouldn't normally meet. They prioritize character development over plot, delivering a bittersweet, grounded emotional experience centered on themes of grief, care, and quiet personal growth.

Quiet Dramas of Resilience like The Midwife

Stories focusing on the quiet strength found in tending to life's daily struggles.For viewers who appreciated the quiet, steady portrayal of care and professional dedication in The Midwife, this list features movies with a similar contemplative mood. Discover stories that find profound meaning in everyday resilience, personal struggles, and compassionate character arcs.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives often follow a linear path, centering on a protagonist dedicated to their work or a personal responsibility. The conflict arises from external pressures or internal grief, but the story's power comes from observing the character's quiet, persistent efforts to persevere, often finding small moments of grace and connection along the way.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific mood blend: they are melancholic and reflective yet grounded in compassion. They avoid high melodrama, instead building emotional weight through the accumulation of small, truthful moments. The pacing is slow, the tone is bittersweet, and the focus is squarely on the human capacity for endurance.

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The Midwife Summary

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The Midwife Summary

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The Midwife Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Midwife

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Midwife

More About The Midwife

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