MovieChat Forums > Le passé (2013) Discussion > The reason why she did it (spoilers)

The reason why she did it (spoilers)


There is kind of a mystery surrounding the suicide attempt by Céline. But the first thing I wonder is - is this supposed to become clear after the movie, or is it just an unresolved mystery?

The other thing I wonder is of course, what is the answer?

Although Marie said that Celine had been depressed long before the event, I think we can assume that Celine must have sensed that something wasn't right, and maybe she was convinced that Samir had an affair with someone. So she became paranoid and suspected Naima at the laundry.

Samir who must have observed Celine becoming depressed, must have understood that she knew what was going on. And she must have become really ill and showing some destructive behaviour during this time. I don't believe that those mails would trigger a severe behaviour, it must have been building up during a long time.

In that case, I think Samir is a little too controlled in his behaviour, when this issue is brought up to the surface. And doesn't he have something to say about Celines behaviour before the event with the customer? Of course he may have talked with Marie about it "off camera".

But I'm puzzled as to why this is made into a mystery? Is it a mystery movie? It was a great drama nonetheless.

reply

It remains unresolved. Celine is the only one who could tell us for certain why she did it, and obviously she can't.

I dont' really understand your question "why is this made into a mystery?" That's how life is in situations such as this. You have questions that tear at you, haunt you, but you will never know for sure.

The title "The Past" is referring to many things, but one meaning is how the past will continue to haunt Marie and Samir's relationship. They can't get past the fact that they started an affair while Samir was married to someone else, and that his wife attempted suicide. They will have to live with the very real possibility that it was THEIR behavior that led to her suicide attempt. Toward the end, Samir tells Marie they need to put the past behind them because she is carrying his child, but I believe The Past will continue to haunt them and their relationship.

You must be the change you seek in the world. -- Gandhi

reply

It's not a mystery as much as it is one of those questions that remain unsolved in life. Celine holds the answer and unless she can speak on it no one knows for sure.

But to me the point is not if she knew, but rather the actions and I mean ALL the actions that happened before and the ones precipitated her suicide:

1) the affair

2) Celine's sense that something in her marriage was off, her suspicions and her unwillingness to confront Samir

3) Lucie's discontent, teen angst, her lack of respect regarding her mother's privacy, her decision to meddle in the affair by Forwarding the emails without considering the consequences of those actions. (yes, I realize that she is a teen and that they never think, but isn't that all the more reason they should stay out of grown folks business?)

4) Marie's selfishness and neglect of her children's needs. She places her need for relationship over theirs and failed to recognize that perhaps Lucie was in need of her attention. Marie's casualness about her affair with a married man. She visited the Dry Cleaners on a regular basis, according to Naima. That was a gross misconduct which probably contributed to Celine's suspicions even if she had placed them on the wrong woman.

5) Samir having an affair. He alone is responsible for that. His wife... his commitment. He also was too casual about the affair. He should have put a stop to Marie's comings and goings at their place of business. Also, why didn't he test his wife's responses earlier than 8 months? Usually, family holds a vigil by the bedside in the early days and work at getting a response from the comatose loved one. His neglect of Faoud who was clearly suffering the loss of his mother.

6) Ahmed. For not recognizing that the marriage was over and not allowing Marie to manipulate him into dealing with Lucie. He made the wrong decision as a result. He had no business telling Lucie her mother was pregnant. That was Marie's news to share. He also should have forced Lucie to tell her mother what she did. It was not his job to tell Marie.

7) Naima, for meddling in the personal affairs of her employers. Celine's mistreatement of her was an employer/employee issue which she should have taken up with Samir and Celine. At least Lucie has the excuse of youth for what she did. Naima is a grown woman. Sure, her illegal status made her frightened, still, she should have communicated something to Samir to let him know that his wife was mistreating her and that all she wanted to do was her job. Perhaps, Samir would have talked to Celine and discovered that Celine was having suspicions. At least, he could have made her understand that he and Naima had nothing going on. (This is only according to Naima. We have no way of knowing if this is indeed the truth or her own fantasy.)

All of this encompasses "the past." The final scene was the beginning of the "present" in these people's lives and where they go from here.

reply

I was pretty sure it's that she was depressed which led Samir to be moody and find comfort in Maria, which led to Celine becoming paranoid about Samir cheating on her with Naima. It all culminated when she received the emails. It's a big plot that is shown bit by bit throughout the movie.

reply