The Things of Life (1970) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

In the sun-drenched stillness of a French summer morning, a sudden accident on a country road brings time to a halt for Pierre Bérard, a successful architect speeding toward Rennes. What begins as a routine drive fractures into a lyrical and introspective journey, as Pierre finds himself suspended in the moments following the crash. The film uses this rupture not merely as a dramatic turning point, but as a canvas, allowing the protagonist’s mind to wander through the scattered fragments of his past and the uncertain trajectory of his present.

Pierre is a man caught in a quiet struggle between two distinct worlds, embodying the complexities of a middle-aged life rich in obligations and desires. On one side lies the passionate yet tumultuous connection he shares with his younger lover, Hélène, a relationship defined by the thrill of possibility and the prospect of a fresh start abroad. On the other stands the stable, resonant history he shares with his estranged wife, Catherine, and the enduring responsibilities he holds toward his teenage son, Bertrand. This emotional tug-of-war forms the core of the narrative, painting a portrait of a man divided by the things he wants and the things he cannot quite leave behind.

As the story weaves through layers of memory and reality, the tone shifts between the warmth of recollection and the sharp edges of current dilemmas. The drive itself becomes a powerful metaphor for the crossroads Pierre faces in his own life, where every mile brings him closer to decisions he has long avoided. With a style that privileges mood and character psychology, the film explores the delicate, often painful accumulation of the "things of life"—the small moments, unspoken words, and major choices that ultimately define a destiny.