A Heart in Winter (1992)

In the heart of Paris thrives a revered violin making and repair business, a symphony of wood and strings, operated by the stoic Stephane and the charismatic Maxime. Their harmony is disrupted when Maxime, a man known for his social charm, falls for Camille, a violin virtuoso with a mesmerizing aura and an enchanting melody. Intrigued by this new melody in Maxime’s life, Stephane, a man whose attachments are as simple and unadorned as a sonnet with a bookshop owner, finds himself subtly drawn towards Camille and her music. Though Stephane’s interest in Camille grows, he remains a winter's heart in a world of blossoming romance, his emotions as elusive as a shadow in the night. Camille, drawn into this complex dance, finds herself equally baffled and frustrated by Stephane's icy indifference. The tension of this peculiar ménage-à-trois gradually escalates, like notes in a crescendo, threatening to reach a dissonant climax. Yet beneath the surface of this delicate narrative lies a hidden irony. Stephane's character resonates deeply with the personality of the famed composer Maurice Ravel. Much like Ravel, Stephane's heart remains in a perpetual winter, frozen and unable to kindle a romantic attachment to a woman. A Heart in Winter is an exploration of the human heart's complexities, a symphony where passion, music, and silence intertwine in a poignant dance.

A Heart in Winter is a drama movie featuring Daniel Auteuil and directed by Claude Sautet.

A Heart in Winter is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.