Les noces rouges

In this PG-rated thriller by famed French director Claude Chabrol, Pierre is having an affair with Lucienne (played by Chabrol’s real-life wife Stephane Audran) whose husband, Paul, is the Mayor of  the small French town in which they live.  The lovers are able to see each other discretely, because Paul is frequently in Paris on business.   Pierre, and Lucienne are deeply in love, but he, too, is married. His wife has been  chronically ill for years.  When she dies, it is widely rumored in the town that she committed suicide. However, Pierre, who has been appointed deputy mayor by Paul, confesses to Lucienne that  he murdered his wife in her sleep.

Things then start falling apart. First, Luciene’s teenage daughter, Paul’s stepdaughter, uncovers the affair.  Then Paul does, too.  When he confronts Lucienne, she admits that she and Pierre are lovers.  Paul, a corrupt politician, proposes one way to move forward, but the lovers have another idea. The film shows what happens when powerful people go too far in seeking happiness.