La fleur du mal

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THE FLOWER OF EVIL

A memory

Comes to you in your dreams

But it's not what it seems

And haunts you for eternity.

A memory makes you believe

That he has never gone

That there's no need to grieve

And that the past lives on.

A memory

Comes to you in your dreams

But it's not what it seems

And haunts you for eternity.

A memory

Has all the tenderness

Of those days of giddiness

That seem to fly by.

One evening, you went away

And I felt that I'd die

But I've known since that day

That people can lie.

Franois!

Well, son?

- You're looking good.

- You too.

The car's just outside.

Can you park here?

Anne swung me a special pass.

Leave it...

You don't seem too americanised.

No, not really.

At least, I hope not.

Why?

Didn't it go well?

Oh, it did. But three years

were enough for me.

I won't ask about America.

You'll get grilled later.

You're looking good.

So you said.

I'm impressed.

Your harem's looking after you.

Talking of the harem,

Aunt Line's doing lamprey.

You're warned:

it's lamprey for lunch.

That suits me fine.

Things haven't changed much

in three years.

It depends. Wait and see.

Wait and see what?

Just wait and see.

Want one?

Yes, please.

They still smoke in America?

Of course. You know,

they're less dumb

than they make out.

Anne's running for office again.

I suspected she would.

Michle wrote

she loved being a councillor.

She'll be mayor next.

God help us!

You're not keen?

She already

has enough on her plate.

You see that shop thing there?

Her HQ. Pretty low-key.

It's a game.

No, she takes it seriously.

She'll explain.

She has political ambitions.

It's always interested her.

You don't want a wife in parliament?

Actually, I couldn't care less.

Don't tell her that!

Still think nothing's changed,

wise guy?

I see what you mean.

- A total overhaul?

- Well?

Not bad.

Like a Chicago drugstore.

Crazy, isn't it?

I managed to buy the bookstore

and set up a medical lab on the sly.

That's illegal.

Not really. I'll show you round.

Tomorrow, please!

Tomorrow, sure. Or next week.

You haven't asked about Michle.

So, how's Michle?

She's gorgeous. And gifted.

She's studying psychology.

Didn't she write to you?

She did.

The joys of love

Are but a moment strong

The pain of love endures

A whole life long

You finish, Marthe.

You look older.

I hope so.

I can't say as much for you.

- Hello, Marthe.

- Hello, Franois.

I've done lamprey.

I know, Dad told me.

He can't keep a secret.

It was a secret?

Everything's a secret here.

Hello, Franois.

Hello, Michle.

Not too tired?

Had a good flight?

Are you pleased to be back?

I spent four days in Paris.

You took your time.

I didn't get a kiss today.

You didn't?

Is this all you have?

Only one case of goodies?

It's the one I left with, you know.

What's wrong?

Are you disappointed?

Take him up to his room.

Quickly, we eat as soon

as your mother gets in.

It's too heavy.

Let's carry it together.

Time for a scotch?

Whatever I say, you'll have one.

Remember your room?

I should be able to.

Wrong! This one's mine.

The bedspread's changed.

And the bedside lamp too.

It was a birthday gift

from your father.

Not bad.

So where's my room?

Where mine used to be.

Nothing's changed here I think.

Nothing.

Want me to help you unpack?

No, it's okay.

I'll do it after lunch.

Well then...

Still love university?

I like it. It gets me out of here.

I won't ask about America.

It's bound to be the topic

during lunch.

Lunch, I can manage, I think.

I've prepared my speech.

They didn't really understand

why you left like that.

I imagine you didn't explain.

My mother and her bodyguard.

- Her bodyguard?

- Matthieu.

Matthieu Lartigue.

Her running mate.

He steers her

like some sort of pilot fish.

Your father can't stand him.

Let's go down.

Why can't he stand him?

He thinks he's the one

who got mum into politics.

The local council isn't politics.

She's ambitious.

I'd like us to eat right away,

if possible.

- Is Franois here?

- He looks good.

Will you stay?

I can add an extra plate.

I'm sorry, I have a lot to do

at the office.

Time for a scotch?

No, have your lunch.

Really, I have a lot to get done.

Stepmother!

"Stepmother"! That's new.

He always called me Tatoune.

You're back at last.

Yes, I've finished over there.

This is Matthieu Lartigue,

my campaign running mate.

- Delighted.

- How do you do.

Come for coffee later.

I'll try to.

I'll be going, then.

See you later, maybe.

Poor man, he works so hard.

I bet he loves it.

Everyone, come and eat. Hurry!

The trouble with Americans,

those I met anyhow,

and I met quite a lot,

is that they're obsessed

by God and money.

It doesn't make life easy.

But they're warm-hearted

and energetic.

I'm only sorry for them

that they don't get to sample

lamprey like this.

I'm glad you like it.

I've never seen people

so wary about food.

I'm wary about theirs!

Their food's better

than most people here think.

You like burgers now?

It depends.

They can't produce a wine like this.

We don't usually drink Haut Brion

every day.

No, but we produce it.

Not personally.

Have some more, dear.

- Don't we get more?

- Of course you do.

I'm sorry.

What is it now?

Yes, Matthieu.

Can't he let us eat in peace?

Why is she getting into this again?

She enjoys it.

Politics has always hurt the family.

Dad, please...

Forgive me.

I just don't like it at all.

We all have our weaknesses.

I'm sorry.

A bit more lamprey?

No thanks, Aunt Line.

Sit down. Call Marthe.

She's watching the tart. Help me.

What's in the tart?

- Pear and almond. You remember?

- You bet.

Matthieu's coming

to show me something.

I don't know what.

You look worried.

No, not at all.

Coffee in the conservatory?

What do you think?

Excellent idea.

I hope you don't prefer

American coffee now.

No, don't worry.

You get good coffee in Chicago.

- Here's Sir Lancelot.

- Grard, please!

In here, Matthieu!

Come on.

Sit down. I'll pour your coffee.

Thank you very much.

You look upset!

I imagine I do.

Something awkward has cropped up.

We should talk in private.

Maybe you think so

but certainly not.

We're a family, you see.

Well, your family's under attack.

- All the more reason.

- Under attack?

This kind of thing

happens during campaigns.

They smile

and then strike low blows.

Who is "they"?

I don't know. Shall I read it?

- Give it to me.

- Please, Anne.

Read the rag, Matthieu.

You're interested now?

It is a rag. I'm sorry.

It's not your fault.

"Madame Charpin-Vasseur

is at it again!

"She's taken a liking to it!

"Now they intermarry,

there's no stopping them!

"The degenerate savages!"

I'm sorry,

I can't go on.

"The degenerate savages!

"In 1981, Charpin-Vasseur

and his brother's wife

"died in a mysterious car accident.

"So the widow married the widower,

"to try them both out..."

That's insane!

"An honourable family,

honourable but jinxed!

"In 1958,

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