Lack of a Timeline

This film seems to deliberately avoid using any means to show time passed, when really it would make much more sense to do so, considering the content raised.

Unless your listening /watching closely you won't realise Thomas and Mathilde have been together a year before they decide to try to have a child.

We don't know how long they unsuccessfully try to conceive though IVF is never mentioned, though Thomas says he has explored all means available.

Then after Manon arrives we really have no gauge on her age, though it is mentioned she is maturing very quickly and then some sort of hint at the end that she may not live that long a life.

So at the end when she physically looks around 15, we're left none the wiser. Thomas for instance doesn't look any different than he did at the start of the film and Nastassja Kinski, if anything, looks better.🐭