Before the Winter Chill

Philippe Claudel and Kristin Scott Thomas reunite in this subtle story of a man thrust into a mid-life crisis by a chance meeting.

Married right out of med school to the stunning Lucie, who set aside her own career to accommodate his brilliant one as a brain surgeon, he has been faithful, has earned the respect of his peers, raised a son and built a lovely home.

Paul denies this as he is a neurosurgeon, but she says it was a long time ago and he admits he used to do some other surgery in the past.

When he sees the bar woman entering a florist he jumps out of his car and shouts at her.

Meantime, Lucie worries about her penniless sister who has mental health problems and her daughter-in-law who has become sad.

Paul becomes distracted at work and his manager suggests he takes a holiday thinking he is experiencing burn-out.

Paul is drawn towards spending time with Lou, though initially, after seeing her with a colleague, Gérard, (perhaps as a client?

When his daughter-in-law approaches, Lou deliberately touches his arm and kisses him on the cheek.

Paul fails to see that his engagement with Lou could threaten everything he's built and everyone he loves, even though he rejects her advances.

It is possible Lou only values herself through sexual encounters; during an earlier conversation (in a red light area) she said she only does such things when she hates herself.

In the park, when he won't let her touch his face, she starts to cry and throws herself into his arms.

The police arrive and (in an unlikely move) take him to Lou's flat where she is seen dead in her bath, presumably having slit her wrists.