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.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Midwife (2017)

Trace every key event in The Midwife (2017) 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

Claire's Life as a Midwife

Claire is a dedicated midwife working at a maternity unit which is facing the threat of closure. Her commitment to her job involves caring for mothers and their babies, even as the uncertainty about the future weighs heavily on her.

Maternity Unit
2

The Call from Beatrice

Out of the blue, Claire receives a call from Beatrice, the mistress of her late father, whom she hasn't heard from in over thirty years. This unexpected communication opens the door to a complex reunion filled with unresolved emotions.

3

The Tension of the Reunion

Claire prepares to meet Beatrice for the first time since her father took his own life after their separation. The air is thick with tension as Claire grapples with the significance of their meeting and the burden of their shared past.

4

Contrasting Personalities

During their reunion, Claire finds herself struck by the immaturity and flamboyance of Beatrice, especially when compared to her own grounded nature. This stark contrast highlights the differences in their lives and coping mechanisms.

5

Claire's Life in Mantes-la-Jolie

Amidst her responsibilities, Claire balances her work with raising her son in a cozy apartment in Mantes-la-Jolie. This setting provides her with a semblance of stability that is challenged by the arrival of Beatrice.

Mantes-la-Jolie
6

Beatrice's Battle with Illness

Beatrice moves in with Claire as she battles a brain tumor, turning Claire into her caregiver. This significant shift leads to more complications in their relationship as both women confront their shared history.

7

Feelings of Guilt

As Beatrice copes with her illness, she is haunted by guilt over her past decisions that contributed to Claire's father's death. This emotional burden complicates their fragile relationship as she tries to reconcile her past with her present.

8

Attempts at Redemption

In a bid to make amends, Beatrice seeks to support Claire in her life and work. However, her illness often hampers her intentions, leading to chaos and misunderstandings instead of the resolution she hoped for.

9

The Symbol of a Complicated Friendship

Upon her departure, Beatrice leaves Claire an expensive ring as a parting gift. This token serves as a bittersweet reminder of their complicated relationship, encapsulating the mixture of love and resentment they both feel.

10

Claire's Allotment Garden

In search of peace amidst her turmoil, Claire often retreats to her allotment garden. Here, she finds solace and connection, particularly with Paul, a charming long-distance lorry driver who enters her life.

Allotment Garden
11

A New Beginning with Paul

Amidst the chaos of her life with Beatrice, Claire begins to develop a budding romance with Paul. Their relationship offers Claire a glimmer of hope and personal happiness amidst the ongoing emotional trials.

12

Navigating Coexistence

As Beatrice lives under Claire's roof, both women must navigate their complex feelings towards each other and their pasts. This coexistence tests Claire’s resilience and her ability to maintain her own life while caring for Beatrice.

13

Enduring Consequences

The experiences shared between Claire and Beatrice leave lasting emotional scars on both women. Their journey underscores the intricacies of familial bonds and the profound impact of unresolved guilt.

14

The Closing Chapter

As Beatrice departs from Claire's life, she leaves behind echoes of their tumultuous past. Claire is left to reflect on the lessons learned, the importance of self-care, and the potential for new beginnings.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:03

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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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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.

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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.

Unlock the Full Story of The Midwife

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Midwife 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 The Midwife is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Midwife Summary

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The Midwife Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Midwife

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Midwife

The Midwife Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Midwife Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Midwife

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