Muriel, or the Time of Return (1963)

In the quaint, sea-kissed town of Boulogne, an intricate tapestry of past regrets and elusive futures is woven. Here, Hélène, a purveyor of antique treasures, shares her life with her step-son, Bernard, recently returned from his military service in Algiers. As the ocean whispers tales of yore, their lives are stirred by the arrival of Alphonse, an old flame of Hélène's, who has also left his mark in Algiers, running a once-bustling café. Accompanying Alphonse is his niece Françoise, while Bernard carries with him the spectral presence of his fiancée, Muriel, an enigma to Hélène. These characters navigate a narrative as unpredictable and elusive as the sea itself, one that dances erratically on the precipice of memory and intention, shrouded in a haze of guilt and missed opportunities, much like their pasts. Deception is as common as the changing tides in Boulogne, and the quest to renew the old bond between Hélène and Alphonse is fraught with uncertainty. The town's inhabitants seem to sway on the edge of their own realities, hinting at an unsettling truth: not all stories have a happy ending. As they grapple with their pasts, they are haunted by an unnerving question: can anyone truly know another, or are we all just prisoners of our own perceptions? This is a story of lost chances, hidden truths, and the complex dance of human relationships, set against the backdrop of a town where the past refuses to be forgotten.

Muriel, or the Time of Return is a drama movie featuring Delphine Seyrig and directed by Alain Resnais.

Muriel, or the Time of Return is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

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