Nelly and Monsieur Arnaud (1995)

Meet Nelly, a radiant yet underemployed woman, mired in debt and strapped to a languid husband. Her life takes an unforeseen turn when she crosses paths with Monsieur Arnaud, an affluent, retired magistrate and businessman whose estranged wife resides in Geneva with a lover and whose children maintain a frigid silence towards him. In an unexpected act of kindness, Arnaud offers to dissolve Nelly's financial burden without expecting anything in return. Intrigued and desperate, Nelly accepts his magnanimous offer, severing ties with her slothful husband. The narrative deepens as Arnaud presents her with a job opportunity, aiding him in the typing and editing of his memoirs. Nelly, with her enigmatic beauty and detached amusement, forms an unusual bond with the perceptive and inquisitive Arnaud. A new chapter in Nelly's life unfolds when she finds herself entwined in a passionate romance with Arnaud's youthful publisher. However, when this love affair dissolves and it becomes evident that reconciliation with her husband is beyond reach, Nelly seeks solace in her unique friendship with Arnaud. This delicate sanctuary is disrupted when Arnaud's wife makes an unexpected return, forcing a change in the dynamics of their relationship. The plot delicately explores the complexities of human connections, offering a compelling narrative in the backdrop of Nelly's evolving life.

Nelly and Monsieur Arnaud is a drama movie featuring Emmanuelle Béart and directed by Claude Sautet.

Nelly and Monsieur Arnaud is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.