Mississippi Mermaid (1969)

In the remote corners of the Indian Ocean, on the shores of Reunion Island, lives Louis Mahé, a prosperous tobacco tycoon who finds love in an unlikely place - the pages of his correspondence with a woman named Julie Roussel. Their love, kindled by letters, culminates in a marriage that is set against the backdrop of the island's lush beauty. Yet, when Julie steps off the passenger vessel, Louis is taken aback. This woman, his bride, is strikingly different from the picture she sent to him. Nevertheless, Louis marries her, entrusting her with his heart and his considerable wealth. Their marital bliss is short-lived. A letter from Julie's sister stirs the calm waters, revealing that the woman Louis married isn't Julie at all. His world in tatters, Louis discovers his bank accounts emptied and his wife vanished from the island. The woman he married is, in fact, Marion Vergano, and she is as elusive as she is captivating. Bounded by the throes of passion, Louis embarks on a relentless pursuit of Marion, his journey taking him to the bustling heart of France. Yet, the strain of his quest takes its toll, leading to a nervous breakdown in Nice. After undergoing a profound sleeping therapy, Louis rises like the Phoenix and tracks Marion to Antibes, where she works in the Phoenix Club Privé and lives in a humble abode at the Monorail Hotel. In a desperate move, Louis confronts Marion, who reveals a sordid tale of blackmail by a dangerous former lover, Richard. But love is a stubborn flame, and Louis, still smitten by Marion, decides to flee with her to the tranquil French countryside. In the meantime, the relentless detective Comolli, hired by Louis and Julie's sister, is hot on Marion's trail, accusing her of a crime darker than deception - the murder of the real Julie Roussel. Mississippi Mermaid is a captivating exploration of love, deception, and obsession, a testament to the mesmerizing storytelling talent of famed director Truffaut. It's a tale that lingers, like the scent of tobacco, long after the story ends.

Mississippi Mermaid is a crime movie featuring Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Mississippi Mermaid is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video.