MovieChat Forums > Les parapluies de Cherbourg (1964) Discussion > So, what was Madeleine's Christmas gift ...

So, what was Madeleine's Christmas gift to Guy?

posted 11 years ago by yurenchu
2 replies | jump to latest

Just when Madeleine is about to go out with their son:

M - "I've got a lovely Christmas present for you."
G - "What is it?"
M - "It's a surprise. You'll see."

Before she leaves she stresses that she loves him. Then very conveniently she and their son leave the gas station just before Genevieve arrives with her car. And they neatly return right after Genevieve has left again.

Coincidence? Just irony on the director's part?

(The scene can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ObVG9o2xWI)

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[–] habul 7 years ago

Just a guess, I thought she might be pregnant with their second child.

Earth. Welcome.

[–] yurenchu 7 years ago

Interesting theory, thanks for your reply. Although I don't see any indication that Madeleine was going to have another child, your idea does seem to certainly match the character development in the story. (Guy becoming more and more invested in his new life, which is a happy and decent life, albeit not the one that he had envisioned when he arrived back in town; but at some point he has to accept that things from the past are over - and a second child would help with that.)

In my OP, I insinuated that Madeleine had arranged Genevieve's visit at the petrol station (so that Guy could put some closure to that chapter in his life), that's why she was conveniently away when Genevieve arrived. But maybe it's just convenient timing for the narrative's sake.

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