Colette Edit

A drinker. A gambler. He's a broken man, Gabrielle.

A factory needs to pay its workers, Willy.

A few weeks.

A girl without a dowry, that just doesn't happen in their circles.

A good writer should be able to describe anything no matter what.

A little louche.

A little overeager, but there you are.

A lot of crossing out, you mean.

A novel by Willy grips you from chapter one, whereas yours...

A scandalous sensation starring Madame Colette Willy and the Marquise de Belbeuf.

A woman?

A younger Claudine would have thrown a fit.

About 40 minutes.

About a month.

About three francs per unit.

After all the money you've made for me.

After all, you know all those fine women of Paris,

After which she has this incredible hold on him.

Ah, there must be some honeydew.

Ah, we'd better go now, darling.

Ah! Willy. Thank God you're back.

Ah. Well, don't tell me. I'll, uh...

All in order?

All of our friends are here.

All of Paris is saying your husband is a genius.

All people really want is the feeling,

All right, Willy.

All seeking to say something profound.

All spice and no literature.

All the hours I spent with him breathing down my neck.

All the humor and vivacity descends into a dreadful operatic swamp.

All the repairs, the painting, the tiling.

All those young girls between girlhood and womanhood, you've given them a voice.

All very Greek.

Allow me.

Am I?

And a very strong head line here.

And because you're at your most brilliant when you're with me.

And do you know who's buying it?

And enough filth for the great unwashed, or vice versa.

And he was praised to the skies for his brilliant writing

And he's going home with his beautiful bride, who he loves very much.

And her crimes."

And her magical eyes,

And his sublime talent.

And how is Paris these days, Willy?

And I don't want to write another Claudine.

And I know I behaved badly.

And I like earning my own money.

And I was delighted when I found out you were here with the play.

And I...

And if it goes off at the wrong time,

And if Paris won't have me, then so be it.

And if they do,

And just 250 from the music reviews.

And like a true French heroine,

And look forward to her delightful company.

And now they're gone and there's no chance of repair.

And pay them with what? We're not even making a thousand this month.

And perhaps you enjoy that.

And Renaud would never be jealous

And some of the characters are interesting,

And that one?

And the only reason I didn't get a footstool in the face is because I dodged it.

And the printing presses are hard at work as we speak.

And the rest of them will soon catch up.

And then him, our hero, Renaud,

And then one day I tried on my brother's school uniform, and that was it.

And then you imply that I'm not the true author of it.

And then, when you get into bed and I touch you, and I kiss you,

And then, yeah, here,

And these prove it.

And we wonder, will he ever escape?

And we'll never make another penny from them.

And what do you think that Renaud would say in those circumstances?

And when I think of the hours I spent alone,

And when...

And who's going to write this novel?

And will continue to make.

And women.

And yet I knew and you knew...

And you may remember one about not trying to remove a speck from your brother's eye

And you say you're too tired...

And you think that by saying "I'm a man, that's what men do,"

And you thought that I could never break free.

And you, with your funny clothes and your hats and the exorbitant mortgage on...

And?

And... [grunts]

And... [grunts]

And... most people know. Or they suspect.

And... snakes.

Animals are honest at least. They never lie.

Animals are vile to each other.

Anyway, I... I have a surprise for you.

Are we finished?

Are you Claudine or are you Colette?

Are you going to write today?

Are you out of your mind? Do you realize how rare this moment is?

Are you serious? All of them?

Are you writing for him too?

As a wife.

As I walked home by the river, the light shining through the trees,

As if it were dying right under my gaze."

As Mademoiselle Terrain was writing on the blackboard,

Ask Willy to change it before publication.

At the sight of those smooth, cold bodies gliding in front of my feet.

Au revoir.

Because of the loneliness and the vague darkness.

Because that's what one does to pass the time,

Because you say we have no money.

Because you spend it all on her!

Because you're the only woman I could ever love.

Behold the Claudine trinity.

Better to make marriage get used to you.

Booming and vibrating under the feet of the dancers?

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo.

Bugger the garden. We have a deadline.

Burn them.

But are you happy?

But bad theater, it's like dentistry.

But do remember, if a book bores you, you can throw it away.

But don't you think she's being hypocritical?

But he neglected to mention that he does not own the copyright.

But his mother runs a salon, so, of course, it was a huge success

But how about, um...

But I can't seem to finish it.

But I have to walk to the station.

But I know you won't.

But I love nature...

But I wanted to show that it can be done.

But I'm begging you.

But if you trace mine to their source,

But it's a leash nevertheless.

But it's melodramatic in extremis.

But it's true. We have no money.

But now it will be left to my husband to settle it.

But now you're such a celebrity, you'll become even more insufferable than ever.

But one can only pay what one can afford.

But seriously, you've done something important.

But she doesn't want Renaud to do the same.

But she perplexes me. I'm...

But some bit of luck,

But sometimes, occasionally, it will transport me.

But still, they generate a certain life force.

But that cost me 267 francs. Don't you like it?

But the laughter of her voice.

But there comes a time in a man's life to settle down.

But what a night.

But what?

But you have to understand, this is what men do.

But... [clears throat] legally, well, the house is in my name.

But... it's too cloying.

Can you believe this crowd?

Can you bring it back? Go, Toby!

Can you imagine? It'll be a full house every night.

Can't even write anymore.

Can't sleep.

Catch.

Change your dress first.

Chaos! Working in these conditions. It's utter chaos.

Chestnut. It's a weeping chestnut.

Churning out scenes just to try and please you,

Claudine is dead now. She's gone. You betrayed her.

Claudine went off with a young man for a change.

Claudine, Claudine, Claudine, Claudine, Claudine, Claudine, Claudine, Claudine!

Claudine, Claudine, Claudine, Claudine!

Claudine!

Claudine!

Claudine!

Claudine's established.

Colette, I was taking a nap.

Colette, what are you talking about?

Colette! Colette! Colette! Colette! Colette! Colette! Colette! Colette! Colette!

Colette?

Colette. You look ravishing.

Collecting a second advance,

Come on in.

Come on, Gabrielle.

Come on, that was... that was just flirtation.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on. Forget about them.

Congratulations, by the way.

Correct.

Could you sign this? It's my favorite book.

Darling, we're going to go in.

Degenerate! Degenerate!

Descended from Empress Josephine on one side,

Did that woman have a capital "P"?

Did you ever feel like you were playing a part, Sido?

Did you miss me at all?

Didn't you?

Do you know, Wague thinks that I'll be ready to go on the stage in a few weeks.

Do you promise?

Do you think are reading Claudine in Paris?

Do you think we could adapt Claudine for a cine play?

Does Missy share your ambition to go on the stage?

Does she have absolutely no life of her own whatsoever?

Doesn't matter.

Don't be melodramatic. I was trying to keep the house for you.

Don't look away.

Don't stare.

Don't tell me what Claudine was.

Especially in such august company.

Especially not with our present finances. We're completely broke.

Even your brief but violent furies.

Evening.

Everyone's chattering about it, saying it will be salacious in the extreme.

Everything I thought and felt went into those books.

Everything just seems utterly pointless.

Everything.

Excellent.

Excuse me.

Exploding star that makes no sound!

Face to face with that painted mentor

Fascinating.

Feisty, opinionated, selfish, and sensual..."

Finally we have a success,

For now.

For the Claudines. The rights to the Claudines.

For the next book.

Forget about his writing, and just wallow in the sexual quagmire?

Forgetting all other music...

Forty eight.

Forty nine.

Frederick's not so keen on the art nouveau pieces,

Frightened of her volcanic jealousy.

Gabri, you have to use your own gifts.

Gabrielle, I can't tell you how happy I am.

Gabrielle, I...

Gabrielle!

Georgie, open up!

Get in.

Get some other bloody idiot to hire you.

Go on in.

God, do you never stop?

God, how depressing.

Goddamn you, Willy.

Good bye, Gabrielle.

Good bye.

Good for her.

Good morning, ma'am. I need to speak to the gentleman of the house.

Good point, Willy.

Good to see you.

Got a big one dangling in my room.

Have you fed Toby Chien?

Have you finished the letter to his father?

Have you heard the news?

Have you sampled them all?

He also gives me a lot of freedom.

He does the movements with me. He's rather good.

He is, but she's anything but.

He recoiled, saying, "It was wicked of me. I'm sorry."

He wanted to challenge Willy to a duel.

He was.

He would find that unacceptable.

He'll hold you back.

He's a writer, he's a genius.

He's all for it. He comes along with me to Wague's studio all the time.

He's already accepted.

He's busy at the moment.

He's captivated by her.

He's embarrassed by me.

He's just... pure rage.

He's made you one of his ghosts already?

He's not the type, and they just got married.

He's the king of the cantomime. Let's get a drink.

He's visited four times this year.

Hello, Toby Chien. Hello.

Hello.

Héon? Another one.

Her blue eyes half closed and her mouth half open."

Her smile mysterious like a sphinx.

Here, come with me.

Here.

His first play was absolute rubbish,

Hmm. Or a spider.

Hmm. Thank you.

Hmm. The white flies must have got to it.

Hmm. They call it off. The world won't end.

Ho ho! Ho ho!

Honestly?

How about that one?

How about, "Perhaps it's the season. It's glorious.

How do you two do it?

How long have you known?

How many people in this park right now

How much did he get for them?

How much time do we have?

How sad.

How? In what way?

How's the book going with Meg?

How's the writing going?

Huh.

Hup.

I adore you.

I adore you. Should be clear about that.

I always imagined Claudine with long hair.

I am so ashamed of myself for that.

I am the real Claudine.

I am the real Claudine.

I believe Willy based Claudine in part on your school days.

I bought those from bankrupts from a debtors' auction.

I can read you like the top line of an optician's chart.

I can't bear it.

I can't.

I can't...

I could arrange everything.

I didn't need to be told.

I do it to prevent me from going mad.

I do know what's going on, you know. I'm in on the joke.

I don't accept it. You've been lying to me all this time.

I don't believe it.

I don't care.

I don't doubt it for a second, but...

I don't know what I think.

I don't know why you're so keen on nature.

I don't know.

I don't know. Something like, "Why, my dear, we were waiting for you."

I don't mind.

I don't sleep with Meg anymore.

I don't want to be treated like some little wife at home.

I feel so much alone there,

I find myself next to Claudine

I forbid you!

I gave up my inheritance for you!

I got an advance from Ollendorff.

I have a repossession order for two armchairs, one armoire, one oak desk.

I have meetings later. Let's meet at La Mascotte at 9:00.

I have outgrown her.

I have the hands of a man. Look.

I have this remarkable idea. Or at least I think it could be.

I have to agree with Monsieur Willy, ma'am. It's not very ladylike.

I have to give it to you, Willy. It's a huge success.

I have to pack up the house at Besançon.

I have.

I haven't seen him that happy in a long time.

I keep starting.

I knew I was home for the first time.

I know she is going to speak to me.

I know that you have no time for me since our separation,

I know what men want. So do the publishers.

I know who you are, Willy.

I know.

I know.

I know.

I lend them my name, my reputation.

I liked the tortoise.

I live at 74 Rue Goethe if you'd like to stop by for a nightcap.

I live in Montigny.

I live in Montigny.

I live in Montigny.

I love you. That's all.

I made a compact little snowball and smuggled it into the classroom.

I marched in and looked straight in the face of Renaud.

I mean you have.

I mean, it's acceptable for Claudine to sleep with Rezi,

I mean, look at her. She's...

I mean, Sarah Bernhardt does her best. She always does.

I mean, we sleep, but...

I mean, we sleep, but...

I must get used to marriage.

I need to speak to you alone.

I never felt like I belonged,

I no longer expect my end,

I paid you back a thousand times.

I panicked. I...

I put him off. Hopefully it won't come to that.

I remember in Claudine at School when all the girls go swimming together at night.

I saw our creditors yesterday.

I see you've brought us an orphaned relative?

I see your face, Missy... strong, vulnerable.

I shall always remember her lily white face decomposing,

I shall probably not die there.

I shall probably not die there.

I should start locking you up again.

I should think you're quite famous here in your village.

I suspect you were more intimidated than bored.

I take all the risk, and there's still no money.

I think I'd better retire for the night.

I think it might ruffle a few feathers back home.

I think we've been introduced, but I don't remember that name.

I thought I heard something.

I thought that...

I thought they were all... shallow and pretentious.

I understand the mentality here. You don't.

I wait for you all day long and I never ask you for anything

I want to be part of things.

I want to know what's going on.

I want to wake up next to you,

I was a rather awkward child,

I was born there in 1873.

I was born there in 1884.

I was born there in 1884.

I was born there in 1884.

I was born there in 1884.

I was hoping he could sign my book.

I was so s...

I was stupid. I...

I was thinking if you were free, I'd like to take you and the marquise to dinner.

I will continue to pursue this because I want to,

I wish I'd been able to give Willy a better settlement.

I won't.

I won't. Never again. I promise.

I wonder if there will come a time...

I wonder who lives there.

I wondered if tonight we might...

I would love that.

I would scream the house down.

I wouldn't bother, to be frank.

I wouldn't have got anything for Veber's, or Schwob's, or anyone else's.

I wrote it for you!

I wrote them.

I, um...

I... I was just passing by.

I'd suggest you change the line where Renaud says, "It was wicked of me to do it,"

I'd take a little nibble of the snow and then I'd pass it along to the next person,

I'll catch her and put her to work out here.

I'll do anything.

I'll go elsewhere to make a living.

I'll have your money by Friday.

I'll see you later.

I'll start tomorrow.

I'll wait to read about it, when Claudine develops tender feelings towards a lady friend.

I'm 23.

I'm addicted. I love every single dive and wastrel.

I'm going on tour, Sido, with Wague, for the next six months.

I'm going out.

I'm going to make a tart tomorrow. Don't be late back!

I'm here in Lille on some family business,

I'm like a pot bellied stove.

I'm not quite sure I understand.

I'm planning on killing Renaud off in the next one.

I'm sorry, ma'am, but, Monsieur Willy, may I have your autograph, please?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I thought he...

I'm sorry. I'm... I'm sorry.

I'm still the same,

I'm sure they do.

I'm thirsty. Let's see if they'll stand us a drink.

I'm waiting to see what sort of advances the booksellers have got.

I've been doing the house.

I've changed a few things... for the story.

I've come a long way since then.

I've got 300 from The Echo, 425 from the latest vamp novel,

I've had an idea. It'll be called The Dream of Egypt.

I've missed you.

I've never met anyone like you.

I've seen it half empty on a weeknight.

I've shuddered there with choking terror

I've written, "She brushed up against me suggestively,

If a painting is too garish, then you can close your eyes.

If he was married to me, what does that say about him?

If I get stuck, I'll come back to you.

If not me, who else?

If that book is anything to go by.

If you can imagine me in pigtails and a dress.

If you were an investment, you were a highly speculative one.

If, for example,

Ignore him. How on earth did you two meet?

In a common or garden music hall.

In a dream...

In the green, mysterious daylight

In the heart of our capital belonging to somebody else.

In the village, they call me "the girl with the hair."

In what way?

Incinerate them.

Interesting.

Intimacy in all its savage abandon, my darling.

Is anyone happy?

Is everything all right?

Is he good to you, Gabri?

Is he in?

Is something wrong?

Is that where you got your dress?

Is this it?

Isn't that what our whole marriage has been?

Isn't there something missing?

It does.

It feels sticky.

It finally got to Luce, who dropped it.

It is a long leash he keeps you on,

It is so easy. On. Off.

It is?

It isn't just Willy, Georgie.

It makes the city seem even more foul.

It must have been very hard for you.

It releases the very toxins of man's soul,

It seems Claudines are everywhere these days.

It was a collaboration.

It was a shit play, but nevertheless.

It was entirely natural.

It was simply there.

It was the wife I found interesting.

It will be.

It would help me.

It... It's... It's the book itself.

It'll have enough literature for the highbrows

It's a Douglas fir.

It's a hotbed. It's electric.

It's a nice place.

It's a truly wonderful depiction.

It's as if you are taking off all my clothes.

It's beautiful. I spent the whole day in Saint Sauveur.

It's brilliant.

It's due on Tuesday, and you've not given me the slightest clue...

It's entirely your business, but...

It's heaving with artists and poets and writers,

It's horrific. We lost everything at the Moulin Rouge.

It's indescribable.

It's just dead. I... I don't feel like myself at all.

It's just...

It's just... nothing is how I imagined it.

It's new, in a manner of speaking.

It's not blatantly obvious who is who.

It's not so much pretension as exaggeration.

It's perfect.

It's pretty, ma'am.

It's simple. It's an 800 word sketch.

It's slow and painful.

It's strange.

It's the theater going public who will make you rich, Willy.

It's too feminine.

It's true, but it's just...

It's true.

Its streets, thank heaven, are not paved.

Jeanne, may I present Colette?

Jeanne?

Just adapt it to the times.

Just an idea right now. We're thinking of calling it Flesh.

Just letters.

Just take this with you and fill it up with some blackberries.

Just tell me what you want, Gabrielle.

Just think of it. You and Polaire, the Claudine twins.

Just trust no one but yourself.

Just... Just say it.

Kiss me.

Know that the day is ours,

Leaving the audience nauseous and pale,

Lest Paris should drive you mad.

Let it go, Colette.

Let me out!

Let's get some money coming in.

Let's get to work.

Let's go in.

Let's have a look.

Like a glittering link,

Like an alligator.

Like they've just eaten a bad oyster.

Like you were just going through with it.

Lime.

Listen, Claudine at School is heading for her third printing.

Listen.

Look at her.

Look at him.

Look at me looking at you.

Look at me.

Look at that.

Look good on you, actually.

Look over here, please.

Look, Gabrielle, she's no rival to you. I promise.

Look, I'll never sleep with her again.

Look, it's a charming hobby, Tetette, but...

Look, it's just horseshit. Words are deceptive little bastards.

Look, it's so beautiful.

Look, wait. They might be upstairs.

Look. Am I trembling?

Look. Everyone's here. Look. There's the marquise de Belbeuf.

Louche sells, trust me. We need more spice, less literature.

Madame Colette, what are your impressions after tonight?

Madame Willy.

Madame Willy.

Madame.

Make her do lines. Put her over his knee and tan her hide.

Make me an offer.

Matters very much.

May I get in with you, Gabri?

Maybe even as rich as you one day, my dear Ollendorff.

Maybe I knew it all along. But I want you not to lie to me.

Meeting you is enough.

Meg.

Meg's very sweet, isn't she?

Mm hmm.

Mmm, it's the very least I can do for you, Colette,

Mmm.

Mmm.

Mmm. It's beautiful.

Mmm. It's delicious.

Mmm. Oh, yes.

Monsieur Willy.

Monsieur Willy. Madame Colette.

Montigny is a village, not a town.

More steps every time.

Morning, my dear.

Morning, my dear.

Most of them are too young, of course, or too crazed,

Mrs. Raoul Duval.

My "impressions"? I'm disgusted.

My childhood, my memories, my opinions.

My dear, I'm surprised you weren't arrested or beaten up.

My eyes lost far away amongst the trees

My heart filled with a kind of delicious pride.

My husband,

My little kitten.

My love, stop.

My love.

My love. My heart.

My name is Claudine.

My name is Claudine.

My name is Claudine. I live in Montigny.

My name is Claudine. I live in Montigny.

My name is Meg.

Myself.

Never mind about that. Come on. We've got to work. Work, work, work.

Never mind.

Nicole D'Allier?

Night is the best time for a swim.

No dowry, but my God, she can write for her keep!

No middle ground. Don't soft peddle it. Just kill it.

No more sooty candles.

No one can take away who you are.

No one has handwriting like Monsieur Willy.

No one will dispute it.

No one.

No such word.

No, Gabrielle. Gabrielle, please, no.

No, I'm just saying we could economize.

No, let me sleep.

No, let's go.

No, may I introduce to you my wife, Gabrielle Sidonie Colette.

No, not yet.

No, of course. Spirit should always be rewarded.

No, Willy. You can't do that.

No, you're lying.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No. Adapt one of the old ones.

No. Come on. You're reading them wrongly.

No. He's far too shy.

No. I love it.

No. No, make it 10:00.

Nobody knows.

None of which is of the slightest importance here."

Nonsense. Will you excuse me, Arman?

Not behind her back, no.

Nothing like. But she is very sweet.

Nothing.

Nothing. It's a...

Nothing. It's just new, that's all.

Now that she's no longer hiding her light under a bushel.

Now we'll have no say over our books,

Now, now, Arman.

Now, whenever I despair,

Of all my novels, this was the one that would translate to the theater.

Of course he did. He's such a colossal snob.

Of course you can.

Of course you do, country girl.

Of course, it's far easier for me than for a woman of no means,

Of course.

Of course.

Off to the bank.

Oh, don't worry about the facts.

Oh, Georgie Raoul Duval?

Oh, God. Chaos.

Oh, I almost forgot.

Oh, I could think of one or two.

Oh, I forgot. I thought Matilde does that.

Oh, I'm for it, if a little jealous of this giant erection

Oh, Lily, tell the coachman to go and ready the carriage.

Oh, look.

Oh, me too.

Oh, my dear.

Oh, no. Ants.

Oh, well, it's something I've been talking about with Christian.

Oh, yes.

Oh, you hurt and you hurt and you hurt,

Oh!

Oh. [chuckles]

Oh. Are you sure now?

Oh. Come here.

Ollendorff has agreed to a lump sum for the destruction of the entire print run.

Ollendorff is your publisher, Willy.

Ollendorff or you?

Ollendorff would never agree to it.

On the contrary, the wild days have just begun.

One day in winter, when the first snow started,

One moment, my darlin'.

One woman to another.

Open the door!

Or a mother.

Or deaf.

Or Missy, as she's known. She only shows up for very special occasions.

Or will he be dragged down by her toxic embrace,

Our daughter Claudine was burnt at the stake.

Our fathers served together in the army.

Our lives. Our friends. Change the names and make gossip.

Painful business.

Paris will never have seen anything like it.

Perhaps I overreacted.

Perhaps.

Perhaps.

Planting the garden.

Please thank your mistress and say we accept the invitation

Please, Colette.

Please, I...

Please, just stop it! Just stop talking about money!

Polaire, alight here on my knee.

Polaire. Pride of Algiers.

Polite yet direct.

Possibly.

Promise.

Pump it up before you prick it.

Put your hand in my pocket.

Quite a phenomenon. Everyone's talking about it.

Quoting the good book, Gaston?

Rehearsing with Wague later.

Remember how the cat breathes.

Reminds me of Saint Sauveur.

Reminds me of you ten years ago.

Renaud, who swore he would always be honest.

Reserved yet brave.

Rezi was there. Of course she was there...

Right. Just amuse yourself for a moment, Gabrielle.

Saint Sauveur en Puisaye.

Save it for the book.

Schwob.

She instinctively knows the role.

She instinctively understands his basest desires.

She is going to say, "Is that you there all alone under that ceiling,

She really has a nerve.

She seduces him in her shabby rooms.

She slit her husband's throat.

She walks, she talks, she even thinks.

She was clumsy, more than anything.

She was sweet, but she was also very annoying.

She was your best friend, wasn't she?

She will literally be a household name.

She's 18, she's gorgeous, she's dangerous,

She's a Sister of Perpetual Claudine. [chuckles]

She's a wayward debutante from Louisiana

She's being held aloft on the shoulders of her admirers.

She's expecting you.

She's from the streets, she devours men, she never wears a corset.