We open up to Adèle (Adèle Exarchopoulos) leaving her house in the morning to grab a bus and the subway to get to school.
In class, they are reading The Life of Marianne. The teacher speaks about chance encounters and how love at first sight can affect us. One boy says it would make him feel regret for not trying to talk to the other person. Adèle listens to all the discussion impassively.
During lunch with her friends, they gush about sex while Adèle just listens. A boy, Thomas (Jérémie Laheurte) looks at Adèle and smiles. Her girlfriends tell her that it is obvious that he’s into her and she should do something about it, forcing her to take a look at him. But Adèle doesn’t seem to be very interested in him. She’s actually quite detached.
Adèle has dinner with her folks and discusses her day. She later writes in her diary and then goes to sleep.
The next day, Adèle gets on the bus where Thomas joins her. They start a conversation and Adèle begins to loosen up. She learns Thomas is a senior (she’s a year below) and that he hopes to study music later in life. They begin to talk about music. Adèle says she loves all kinds but hard rock, as she stereotypes it as men with long hair who scream into microphones. Thomas laughs and says they apparently have a problem because he happens to like that kind of music. However, maybe it will give them an excuse to hang out again someday soon as Adèle notes, maybe the stuff he loves is different than her preconceived notions.
Later, on a different day, we see Adèle about to cross the road when she sees a woman with blue hair with her arms around another woman. As people cross the streets, Adèle turns her head to look at the woman, who in turn turns her head and smiles at Adèle. Adèle is stunned to feel a connection to a woman she has never met.
We see that she is out to meet Thomas in order to hang out. They get lunch and talk about the book Adèle is reading for class, The Life of Marianne. Adèle notes she hates when teachers overanalyze the book for her, thus taking away all the mystery and suspense. Thomas admits he hasn’t read too many books but loved reading Dangerous Liaisons in class since his professor was able to break down things he missed. Thomas promises to read The Life of Marianne for her, as he is completely enamored with Adèle.
Thomas and Adèle go to the movies. Thomas goes to hold her hand and kiss her neck and mouth. Adèle lets him a little but her heart isn’t into it.
That night, as she sleeps, Adèle begins to dream of the blue haired woman touching and kissing her. Adèle begins to masturbate in her sleep, touching her breasts and genitals, breathing deep. In the middle of it all, she wakes up startled. She can’t believe what she was feeling.
The next day, her friends want details in regards to Thomas, thinking the two slept together. Adèle denies that they did and finally leaves when she gets tired of their questions. Thomas follows into the school and asks if he did something wrong or that he went too fast because he really likes her. Adèle, desperately wanting to try and be normal with a boy who likes her, kisses him back.
We cut to his bedroom where they are both naked. They begin to have sex, apparently Adèle’s first time ever. As they get into it, Adèle seems to enjoy it quite a bit. When it is over however, Adèle has a distant, detached look on her face. Perhaps, despite her desire to just be a normal girl who likes boys, it isn’t enough or rather it is not the right thing for her. Thomas asks her if she is okay and if the sex was good. Adèle says that is was and kisses him. She lets him hold her.
Adèle talks to her gay friend Valentin (Sandor Funtek) about unhappy she is with Thomas, because she feels as if she needs to fake it. She also notes she looks awful and Thomas would break up with her on that alone; she and Valentin joke about how this will be how her relationship ends. However, this gives her only a respite from reality. She will have to face him soon enough.
Adèle smokes a cigarette at school before going to meet Thomas.
Cut to them sitting on a school bench. Adèle has told him that it isn’t working for her but she never meant to hurt him, she swears. Thomas cries, very hurt as he really did like her. However, he says they are over, and lets it their relationship end without any objections. He then leaves.
At home later that night, Adèle cries on her bed. She is confused over her emotions, and feels awful that she hurt a boy that only liked her and did her no harm. Adèle is now at a low point of her young life.
Later, Adèle joins her friends during a student protest in the streets. She lets herself get caught up in it so she can forget her problems for a while.
At school, Adèle sits in a stairwell and smokes a cigarette. A young woman, from her group of friends sits down next to her and bums a light from her. As another girl passes, the woman comments that the girl has a “nice ass.” Adèle scoffs at the comment, and the young woman says she thinks Adèle is the cutest girl in their year. Adèle blushes and the young woman tilts Adèle’s face her way and kisses her to Adèle surprise.
At dinner that night, Adèle’s mother notices a chance in her daughter, noting that she apparently had a good day. Adèle just smiles.
The next day at school after class, Adèle tracks the girl down in the ladies restroom and when no one is around, starts to kiss her. The girl however does not respond to it. The girl then tells Adèle that she didn’t mean for her to get “addicted” to it, and her kissing Adèle was just some harmless fun, making it clear she wanted nothing more. However, she tells Adèle that nothing will change with them and she will not tell their other friends, keeping her secret. Adèle is crushed, thinking she found a potential confidant/partner.
Ignoring most of her gal pals, Adèle grabs Valentin and asks to go out with him that night. Valentin takes her to a gay club, where Adèle watches gay men dance and kiss. She is bewildered by it all but also sad because she doesn’t have that type of connection in her own life. Seeing a woman that looks like the blue haired girl she saw on the street, Adèle leaves the club and Valentin, following the group of women to another bar.
When she gets there, she realizes it is a lesbian bar. She gets a few looks and some of the women flirt with her. Adèle is a bit embarrassed by the attention and goes up to the bar and orders a beer. Looking up to the loft area she sees the very same blue haired woman from that day. The woman sees her too and grins. The woman comes down and after deflecting another woman from talking to Adèle, begins to chat with her. Her name is Emma (Léa Seydoux).
Emma tells Adèle that it is obvious that she is new to the scene given that she ordered a Bulldog, which a “dyke” beer. Emma gives her a taste of her strawberry milk drink, to which Adèle admits she finds gross. Emma tells Adèle they don’t get too many of her type in the bar. Adèle asks what type she is. Emma says the underage type.
Adèle asks about what Emma does and Emma replies she is in her 4th year of college, studying Fine Arts. They have a discussion of the various types of art and if there is such a thing as bad art. Adèle meanwhile admits she is still in high school. Emma’s friends tell her they are going to another club and want her to come. Emma leaves but not before getting Adèle to tell her the name of her school.
The next day, as school lets out, Adèle is with her group of friends when she sees Emma. Adèle goes to her, ignoring all the calls of her friends. Only Valentin realizes what is really going on and watches silently.
Adèle and Emma sit on a park bench. Emma is sketching her. Emma asks if she feels embarrassed, and Adèle admits she does a little as it isn’t everyday that she is sketched. Emma shows her the final product, which she admits needs work. Adèle says it is beautiful. Emma then says she needs to leave and meet her girlfriend Sabine. Adèle gives Emma her number. As they stand up to leave, Emma stares at Adèle for a long time and moves closer as if to kiss her. Emma kisses Adèle’s cheek and leaves.
When Adèle gets home later, her mother tells her a friend, Emma, is on the phone. Adèle rushes up and takes the call like a nervous schoolgirl talking to her crush.
The next day, Adèle is quickly and decisively confronted by her group of friends. They want to know about Emma and why Adèle is hanging around with an obvious “dyke.” Adèle tries to deflect their questioning, saying Emma is just a friend. However, the third degree continues and turns very ugly. They ask about her going with Valentin to a gay club, which she tries to deny then must admit is true when Valentin confirms it. It is here when things go from bad to worse.
They begin to ask Adèle if she is a lesbian and pretend to say that they don’t care if she is but they want her to admit it. One of her friends gets very mean saying they slept together in the same bed naked and she wants to know if Adèle ever wanted her (based on the homophobic idea that all gay people want everyone of the same sex sexually, even friends). One of the girls finally takes it too far by asking if Adèle has tasted Emma “blue pussy.” That sets Adèle off and she attacks the girl, having to be pulled off by Valentin. Valentin pulls Adèle away from the girls saying they know nothing as the girls scream at her. One of girls of the group tells the others they took it way too far; they meant to ask politely and they ended up verbally abusing Adèle.
Cut to Adèle in class having trouble concentrating on her studies.
Quite some time later, we see Emma and Adèle at an art gallery taking in all the paintings and sculptures (it is unstated, but inferred that Emma and Sabine are no longer together). Later, they have a small picnic on a blanket in a park and discuss the art and life. Adèle asks when Emma first kissed a girl. Emma tells her she was 14. Adèle and Emma look into each other’s eyes for a long time. Then, Adèle gets closer to Emma and kisses her. Emma returns it. After a few moments, they break away and smile.
We cut to them in bed, naked, about to have sex for the first time. In a five to six minute unbroken take, we watch Adèle and Emma make love. Their coupling is primal and full of lust. When it is over, they lay in bed; Adèle has tears in her eyes. She finally has found a sexual connection that satisfies her body and her emotions.
We later see them at a gay parade together. Adèle is happy and kisses Emma publicly. For the first time, she feels free to be herself.
We see them kissing on the very same park bench they sat at when Emma sketched Adèle.
Though we are not told of it, a passage of time occurs, perhaps a year’s worth. Adèle and Emma are going to meet Emma’s parents for dinner. Adèle brings a plant as a gift. When they get there, Adèle is introduced to Catherine, Emma’s mother and Stephen, Emma’s stepfather. They are aware of Emma’s sexuality and have no qualms with it, and openly support and love their daughter. They ask about Adèle’s plan and she says she wants to go into teaching, as her learning impacted her life for the better. Stephen and Catherine applaud her choice, while at the same time, loving the fact that Emma is in art, despite its hardships.
We see Adèle and Emma have sex again.
Adèle goes home some time later, but doesn’t find her parents. She goes outside to the backyard to see that they threw her a surprise birthday party with all her friends for her 18th birthday. She is happy as they sing her a song. They eat and dance, but Adèle basically dances alone since she is not comfortable enough to be fully out with everyone, including her parents. Thus, she cannot dance with Emma.
Adèle brings Emma home to have dinner with her parents one night. However, her parents are clueless about their daughter’s sexuality, and believe that Emma is just a friend that helped Adèle understand Philosophy better. It is clear that Emma is hurt that Adèle is lying to her folks about her, but understands why and goes along with it for her sake. Adèle’s parents ask about what Emma does and mentions she works in art. Adèle’s father says it must be hard to make a living, and Emma admits that is true so she is a graphic artist on the side to pay the bills. Adèle’s parents ask if she has a boyfriend, and Emma lies and says she does but she is in no rush to get married. Adèle’s parents laugh and say she shouldn’t rush. Adèle and Emma share a knowing look.
We cut to Adèle and Emma naked in Adèle’s bed. They joke about the fact that Adèle’s mother thinks Emma is sleeping in the air mattress nearby. They giggle at their little secret and kiss.
We later see Emma sketch Adèle as she lays out nude with a cigarette dangling from her mouth.
We see the first of many days of Adèle as a teacher, first for pre-school age children. She seems to love it. One her male colleagues ask if she wants to go out with a few others for a drink. Adèle declines saying she has plans.
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Emma is having an art showing of her work at her and Adèle’s apartment. Adèle spends the day making the food and making sure they have enough of everything for the guests. A majority of the guests are from Emma’s art crowd which makes Adèle uncomfortable as the social and intelligence gap between them bothers her. Thus, she tries to busy herself most of the time, so she doesn’t have to talk to anybody and feel dumb. However, one man, Samir (Salim Kechiouche) manages to convince Adèle to sit down and talk. Samir tells her he acts in movies, usually as a stereotypical terrorist and has been to New York City several times. Adèle admits she wants to go but hasn’t had time. Samir says she should as it would change her life. Samir asks about Adèle liking women, and Adèle admits to him that Emma has been her first real relationship with a woman.
However, despite this nice conversation, Adèle is unable to talk to anyone else at the party. Also, she cannot be help notice that Emma has been very close to another woman, the pregnant Lise, who Emma introduced to her earlier. Adèle begins to think that maybe Emma is pulling away from her.
Adèle cleans up after the party then heads to bed, where Emma is waiting. Emma says she thinks Adèle should do more with her writing because it is so good. Adèle however says she only writes in her diary, and she doesn’t know how to convey her voice in fiction; plus she has no desire to, her passion is in teaching. Emma speaks of life being about creating things, building things that matter, while Adèle is more concerned with just being happy; she finds her fulfillment in being with Emma.
Adèle wants to make love but Emma says they can’t because is on her period. Adèle thinks it is a lie given the time of month, but just lets it go. Adèle asks about Lise. Emma tells her she isn’t an ex-girlfriend or anything but just another painter like she is.
We see Adèle at work again watching the kids have their nap time. When she gets home, there is a message on the answer machine from Emma, saying she is working late with Lise and Adèle shouldn’t wait up.
Deciding not to stay at home like usual, Adèle decides to go out and get drinks with her co-workers, including the male one that kept asking. They drink and decide to dance. Adèle loosens up and seductively dances with the man. Eventually, she kisses him passionately. A combination of feeling neglected by Emma, wanting a connection, and perhaps wondering if she is fully gay has led Adèle to cheat.
The next morning, Adèle listens while Emma is on the phone. Apparently Emma is having trouble with a potential buyer who wants every detail about Emma, including her sex life in order to fully articulate her paintings. Emma tells the person on the phone she will reveal some things, but some things are to be left private. As she hangs up, Adèle tells her it is normal to feel tense at times.
Back at school, it is clear that Adèle’s head isn’t fully in her teaching as she is feeling some guilt about kissing her coworker.
Apparently going out with him again, she is given a ride home by him one night. She kisses him goodbye then pretends to head into another apartment complex before going to her real apartment. Emma is waiting for her, tense and not happy. Adèle goes up to her like nothing is different and that is when the trouble begins. Emma asks who dropped her off. Adèle first says a female colleague; she went out with co-workers and has decided to not be “out” with them. However, Emma knows it was a man, so Adèle is forced to change her story.
Emma then reveals that she saw Adèle kiss him. Emma screams at her asking how many times she slept with the man. Adèle initially denies it, but Emma keeps going on, asking how long she has been lying to her. Adèle finally breaks down saying she slept with the colleague a few times but it meant nothing. She just felt so alone and Emma was pulling away from her and wouldn’t talk to her. Emma at hearing this admission completely explodes calling Adèle a “slut” and tells her to get out, throwing clothes in a suitcase. Adèle pleads to let her talk about what happened but Emma won’t hear it and throws her out.
Cut to Adèle walking down the street, completely devastated and sobbing.
Adèle is back at school teaching, but her heart it isn’t it. At the end of the term, she hugs her kids’ goodbye. When they leave, she breaks down in the empty classroom.
During a summer trip with some of her students, Adèle plays with the kids on the beach. Asking for another teacher to cover for her for a few minutes, Adèle goes to float in the water. The water’s color is blue, like Emma’s hair.
We see Adèle in class during a new school year, teaching dictation of sentences to first graders.
We see Adèle at the same park bench where she and Emma spent time together. She lies down and closes her eyes.
Time has passed. Adèle meets with Emma in a coffee shop and they catch up. Emma is still doing art and has new shows coming up. Adèle says she wants to save up and buy a painting of hers. Emma says she will give her one, but Adèle says it is a point of principle to pay for it, to which Emma nods.
Emma reveals she has been in a relationship with Lise for several years and has become a second mother to Lise’s son (An implied argument can be made that perhaps Emma had been become bored with Adèle but didn’t have a good reason to end it. It is quite possible she cheated on Adèle with Lise. Thus, when Adèle admitted to her infidelity, it gave Emma her out, hence her overly agitated response and her unwillingness to even talk to Adèle; she was projecting).
Emma says that her home life with Lise is intellectually stimulating. Adèle asks about their sex life, and Emma admits it isn’t like the one she had with Adèle. Adèle says it must be boring. Adèle says she misses Emma, that she wants her. Emma says they can’t but Adèle tells her to “touch her” and forces Emma to kiss her. Emma does for a while, but eventually pulls away saying she can’t and tells Adèle that she can’t see her anymore. She has a family now and she can’t risk it.
Adèle asks if Emma still loves her. Emma says that she doesn’t, but she has “infinite tenderness” for Adèle and will for the rest of her life. Adèle, though heartbroken, understands and tells Emma she can leave. They embrace and kiss each other’s cheeks. As Emma leaves, Adèle breaks down.
An unknown amount of time later, Adèle showers up and leaves her apartment to walk a few blocks to an art gallery. It is a showing of Emma’s work and she has been invited. The two old lovers embrace and Adèle thanks her for inviting her. Adèle looks at all the pieces, and is both startled and surprised to learn that she is still a muse for Emma, showing up still even in her new works.
Adèle bumps into Samir, and finds out he got out of acting and is now in real estate. Samir admits that this art gallery isn’t his scene either. As Samir excuses himself to talk to someone, Adèle looks around and realizes a few things. One is that the incompatibility of their intellectual circles and their personal desires for life doomed her and Emma long before infidelity entered the picture. Secondly, that this world of Emma’s isn’t a part of Adèle’s anymore. She and Emma are no longer together. That chapter of her life is closed. As terrifying as it will be, she needs to move on with her life, completely away from Emma.
Without another word to anyone, Adèle leaves the gallery and walks home. Samir notices she is missing and looks outside to find her, but he misses her going around the corner and gives up his search.
We last see Adèle walking down the street towards home. This part of her journey is over and now she must write the next chapter of her life. http://www.themoviespoiler.com/Spoilers/BlueWarmestColor.html
My Movie Review Here
In class, they are reading The Life of Marianne. The teacher speaks about chance encounters and how love at first sight can affect us. One boy says it would make him feel regret for not trying to talk to the other person. Adèle listens to all the discussion impassively.
During lunch with her friends, they gush about sex while Adèle just listens. A boy, Thomas (Jérémie Laheurte) looks at Adèle and smiles. Her girlfriends tell her that it is obvious that he’s into her and she should do something about it, forcing her to take a look at him. But Adèle doesn’t seem to be very interested in him. She’s actually quite detached.
Adèle has dinner with her folks and discusses her day. She later writes in her diary and then goes to sleep.
The next day, Adèle gets on the bus where Thomas joins her. They start a conversation and Adèle begins to loosen up. She learns Thomas is a senior (she’s a year below) and that he hopes to study music later in life. They begin to talk about music. Adèle says she loves all kinds but hard rock, as she stereotypes it as men with long hair who scream into microphones. Thomas laughs and says they apparently have a problem because he happens to like that kind of music. However, maybe it will give them an excuse to hang out again someday soon as Adèle notes, maybe the stuff he loves is different than her preconceived notions.
Later, on a different day, we see Adèle about to cross the road when she sees a woman with blue hair with her arms around another woman. As people cross the streets, Adèle turns her head to look at the woman, who in turn turns her head and smiles at Adèle. Adèle is stunned to feel a connection to a woman she has never met.
We see that she is out to meet Thomas in order to hang out. They get lunch and talk about the book Adèle is reading for class, The Life of Marianne. Adèle notes she hates when teachers overanalyze the book for her, thus taking away all the mystery and suspense. Thomas admits he hasn’t read too many books but loved reading Dangerous Liaisons in class since his professor was able to break down things he missed. Thomas promises to read The Life of Marianne for her, as he is completely enamored with Adèle.
Thomas and Adèle go to the movies. Thomas goes to hold her hand and kiss her neck and mouth. Adèle lets him a little but her heart isn’t into it.
That night, as she sleeps, Adèle begins to dream of the blue haired woman touching and kissing her. Adèle begins to masturbate in her sleep, touching her breasts and genitals, breathing deep. In the middle of it all, she wakes up startled. She can’t believe what she was feeling.
The next day, her friends want details in regards to Thomas, thinking the two slept together. Adèle denies that they did and finally leaves when she gets tired of their questions. Thomas follows into the school and asks if he did something wrong or that he went too fast because he really likes her. Adèle, desperately wanting to try and be normal with a boy who likes her, kisses him back.
We cut to his bedroom where they are both naked. They begin to have sex, apparently Adèle’s first time ever. As they get into it, Adèle seems to enjoy it quite a bit. When it is over however, Adèle has a distant, detached look on her face. Perhaps, despite her desire to just be a normal girl who likes boys, it isn’t enough or rather it is not the right thing for her. Thomas asks her if she is okay and if the sex was good. Adèle says that is was and kisses him. She lets him hold her.
Adèle talks to her gay friend Valentin (Sandor Funtek) about unhappy she is with Thomas, because she feels as if she needs to fake it. She also notes she looks awful and Thomas would break up with her on that alone; she and Valentin joke about how this will be how her relationship ends. However, this gives her only a respite from reality. She will have to face him soon enough.
Adèle smokes a cigarette at school before going to meet Thomas.
Cut to them sitting on a school bench. Adèle has told him that it isn’t working for her but she never meant to hurt him, she swears. Thomas cries, very hurt as he really did like her. However, he says they are over, and lets it their relationship end without any objections. He then leaves.
At home later that night, Adèle cries on her bed. She is confused over her emotions, and feels awful that she hurt a boy that only liked her and did her no harm. Adèle is now at a low point of her young life.
Later, Adèle joins her friends during a student protest in the streets. She lets herself get caught up in it so she can forget her problems for a while.
At school, Adèle sits in a stairwell and smokes a cigarette. A young woman, from her group of friends sits down next to her and bums a light from her. As another girl passes, the woman comments that the girl has a “nice ass.” Adèle scoffs at the comment, and the young woman says she thinks Adèle is the cutest girl in their year. Adèle blushes and the young woman tilts Adèle’s face her way and kisses her to Adèle surprise.
At dinner that night, Adèle’s mother notices a chance in her daughter, noting that she apparently had a good day. Adèle just smiles.
The next day at school after class, Adèle tracks the girl down in the ladies restroom and when no one is around, starts to kiss her. The girl however does not respond to it. The girl then tells Adèle that she didn’t mean for her to get “addicted” to it, and her kissing Adèle was just some harmless fun, making it clear she wanted nothing more. However, she tells Adèle that nothing will change with them and she will not tell their other friends, keeping her secret. Adèle is crushed, thinking she found a potential confidant/partner.
Ignoring most of her gal pals, Adèle grabs Valentin and asks to go out with him that night. Valentin takes her to a gay club, where Adèle watches gay men dance and kiss. She is bewildered by it all but also sad because she doesn’t have that type of connection in her own life. Seeing a woman that looks like the blue haired girl she saw on the street, Adèle leaves the club and Valentin, following the group of women to another bar.
When she gets there, she realizes it is a lesbian bar. She gets a few looks and some of the women flirt with her. Adèle is a bit embarrassed by the attention and goes up to the bar and orders a beer. Looking up to the loft area she sees the very same blue haired woman from that day. The woman sees her too and grins. The woman comes down and after deflecting another woman from talking to Adèle, begins to chat with her. Her name is Emma (Léa Seydoux).
Emma tells Adèle that it is obvious that she is new to the scene given that she ordered a Bulldog, which a “dyke” beer. Emma gives her a taste of her strawberry milk drink, to which Adèle admits she finds gross. Emma tells Adèle they don’t get too many of her type in the bar. Adèle asks what type she is. Emma says the underage type.
Adèle asks about what Emma does and Emma replies she is in her 4th year of college, studying Fine Arts. They have a discussion of the various types of art and if there is such a thing as bad art. Adèle meanwhile admits she is still in high school. Emma’s friends tell her they are going to another club and want her to come. Emma leaves but not before getting Adèle to tell her the name of her school.
The next day, as school lets out, Adèle is with her group of friends when she sees Emma. Adèle goes to her, ignoring all the calls of her friends. Only Valentin realizes what is really going on and watches silently.
Adèle and Emma sit on a park bench. Emma is sketching her. Emma asks if she feels embarrassed, and Adèle admits she does a little as it isn’t everyday that she is sketched. Emma shows her the final product, which she admits needs work. Adèle says it is beautiful. Emma then says she needs to leave and meet her girlfriend Sabine. Adèle gives Emma her number. As they stand up to leave, Emma stares at Adèle for a long time and moves closer as if to kiss her. Emma kisses Adèle’s cheek and leaves.
When Adèle gets home later, her mother tells her a friend, Emma, is on the phone. Adèle rushes up and takes the call like a nervous schoolgirl talking to her crush.
The next day, Adèle is quickly and decisively confronted by her group of friends. They want to know about Emma and why Adèle is hanging around with an obvious “dyke.” Adèle tries to deflect their questioning, saying Emma is just a friend. However, the third degree continues and turns very ugly. They ask about her going with Valentin to a gay club, which she tries to deny then must admit is true when Valentin confirms it. It is here when things go from bad to worse.
They begin to ask Adèle if she is a lesbian and pretend to say that they don’t care if she is but they want her to admit it. One of her friends gets very mean saying they slept together in the same bed naked and she wants to know if Adèle ever wanted her (based on the homophobic idea that all gay people want everyone of the same sex sexually, even friends). One of the girls finally takes it too far by asking if Adèle has tasted Emma “blue pussy.” That sets Adèle off and she attacks the girl, having to be pulled off by Valentin. Valentin pulls Adèle away from the girls saying they know nothing as the girls scream at her. One of girls of the group tells the others they took it way too far; they meant to ask politely and they ended up verbally abusing Adèle.
Cut to Adèle in class having trouble concentrating on her studies.
Quite some time later, we see Emma and Adèle at an art gallery taking in all the paintings and sculptures (it is unstated, but inferred that Emma and Sabine are no longer together). Later, they have a small picnic on a blanket in a park and discuss the art and life. Adèle asks when Emma first kissed a girl. Emma tells her she was 14. Adèle and Emma look into each other’s eyes for a long time. Then, Adèle gets closer to Emma and kisses her. Emma returns it. After a few moments, they break away and smile.
We cut to them in bed, naked, about to have sex for the first time. In a five to six minute unbroken take, we watch Adèle and Emma make love. Their coupling is primal and full of lust. When it is over, they lay in bed; Adèle has tears in her eyes. She finally has found a sexual connection that satisfies her body and her emotions.
We later see them at a gay parade together. Adèle is happy and kisses Emma publicly. For the first time, she feels free to be herself.
We see them kissing on the very same park bench they sat at when Emma sketched Adèle.
Though we are not told of it, a passage of time occurs, perhaps a year’s worth. Adèle and Emma are going to meet Emma’s parents for dinner. Adèle brings a plant as a gift. When they get there, Adèle is introduced to Catherine, Emma’s mother and Stephen, Emma’s stepfather. They are aware of Emma’s sexuality and have no qualms with it, and openly support and love their daughter. They ask about Adèle’s plan and she says she wants to go into teaching, as her learning impacted her life for the better. Stephen and Catherine applaud her choice, while at the same time, loving the fact that Emma is in art, despite its hardships.
We see Adèle and Emma have sex again.
Adèle goes home some time later, but doesn’t find her parents. She goes outside to the backyard to see that they threw her a surprise birthday party with all her friends for her 18th birthday. She is happy as they sing her a song. They eat and dance, but Adèle basically dances alone since she is not comfortable enough to be fully out with everyone, including her parents. Thus, she cannot dance with Emma.
Adèle brings Emma home to have dinner with her parents one night. However, her parents are clueless about their daughter’s sexuality, and believe that Emma is just a friend that helped Adèle understand Philosophy better. It is clear that Emma is hurt that Adèle is lying to her folks about her, but understands why and goes along with it for her sake. Adèle’s parents ask about what Emma does and mentions she works in art. Adèle’s father says it must be hard to make a living, and Emma admits that is true so she is a graphic artist on the side to pay the bills. Adèle’s parents ask if she has a boyfriend, and Emma lies and says she does but she is in no rush to get married. Adèle’s parents laugh and say she shouldn’t rush. Adèle and Emma share a knowing look.
We cut to Adèle and Emma naked in Adèle’s bed. They joke about the fact that Adèle’s mother thinks Emma is sleeping in the air mattress nearby. They giggle at their little secret and kiss.
We later see Emma sketch Adèle as she lays out nude with a cigarette dangling from her mouth.
We see the first of many days of Adèle as a teacher, first for pre-school age children. She seems to love it. One her male colleagues ask if she wants to go out with a few others for a drink. Adèle declines saying she has plans.
?
Emma is having an art showing of her work at her and Adèle’s apartment. Adèle spends the day making the food and making sure they have enough of everything for the guests. A majority of the guests are from Emma’s art crowd which makes Adèle uncomfortable as the social and intelligence gap between them bothers her. Thus, she tries to busy herself most of the time, so she doesn’t have to talk to anybody and feel dumb. However, one man, Samir (Salim Kechiouche) manages to convince Adèle to sit down and talk. Samir tells her he acts in movies, usually as a stereotypical terrorist and has been to New York City several times. Adèle admits she wants to go but hasn’t had time. Samir says she should as it would change her life. Samir asks about Adèle liking women, and Adèle admits to him that Emma has been her first real relationship with a woman.
However, despite this nice conversation, Adèle is unable to talk to anyone else at the party. Also, she cannot be help notice that Emma has been very close to another woman, the pregnant Lise, who Emma introduced to her earlier. Adèle begins to think that maybe Emma is pulling away from her.
Adèle cleans up after the party then heads to bed, where Emma is waiting. Emma says she thinks Adèle should do more with her writing because it is so good. Adèle however says she only writes in her diary, and she doesn’t know how to convey her voice in fiction; plus she has no desire to, her passion is in teaching. Emma speaks of life being about creating things, building things that matter, while Adèle is more concerned with just being happy; she finds her fulfillment in being with Emma.
Adèle wants to make love but Emma says they can’t because is on her period. Adèle thinks it is a lie given the time of month, but just lets it go. Adèle asks about Lise. Emma tells her she isn’t an ex-girlfriend or anything but just another painter like she is.
We see Adèle at work again watching the kids have their nap time. When she gets home, there is a message on the answer machine from Emma, saying she is working late with Lise and Adèle shouldn’t wait up.
Deciding not to stay at home like usual, Adèle decides to go out and get drinks with her co-workers, including the male one that kept asking. They drink and decide to dance. Adèle loosens up and seductively dances with the man. Eventually, she kisses him passionately. A combination of feeling neglected by Emma, wanting a connection, and perhaps wondering if she is fully gay has led Adèle to cheat.
The next morning, Adèle listens while Emma is on the phone. Apparently Emma is having trouble with a potential buyer who wants every detail about Emma, including her sex life in order to fully articulate her paintings. Emma tells the person on the phone she will reveal some things, but some things are to be left private. As she hangs up, Adèle tells her it is normal to feel tense at times.
Back at school, it is clear that Adèle’s head isn’t fully in her teaching as she is feeling some guilt about kissing her coworker.
Apparently going out with him again, she is given a ride home by him one night. She kisses him goodbye then pretends to head into another apartment complex before going to her real apartment. Emma is waiting for her, tense and not happy. Adèle goes up to her like nothing is different and that is when the trouble begins. Emma asks who dropped her off. Adèle first says a female colleague; she went out with co-workers and has decided to not be “out” with them. However, Emma knows it was a man, so Adèle is forced to change her story.
Emma then reveals that she saw Adèle kiss him. Emma screams at her asking how many times she slept with the man. Adèle initially denies it, but Emma keeps going on, asking how long she has been lying to her. Adèle finally breaks down saying she slept with the colleague a few times but it meant nothing. She just felt so alone and Emma was pulling away from her and wouldn’t talk to her. Emma at hearing this admission completely explodes calling Adèle a “slut” and tells her to get out, throwing clothes in a suitcase. Adèle pleads to let her talk about what happened but Emma won’t hear it and throws her out.
Cut to Adèle walking down the street, completely devastated and sobbing.
Adèle is back at school teaching, but her heart it isn’t it. At the end of the term, she hugs her kids’ goodbye. When they leave, she breaks down in the empty classroom.
During a summer trip with some of her students, Adèle plays with the kids on the beach. Asking for another teacher to cover for her for a few minutes, Adèle goes to float in the water. The water’s color is blue, like Emma’s hair.
We see Adèle in class during a new school year, teaching dictation of sentences to first graders.
We see Adèle at the same park bench where she and Emma spent time together. She lies down and closes her eyes.
Time has passed. Adèle meets with Emma in a coffee shop and they catch up. Emma is still doing art and has new shows coming up. Adèle says she wants to save up and buy a painting of hers. Emma says she will give her one, but Adèle says it is a point of principle to pay for it, to which Emma nods.
Emma reveals she has been in a relationship with Lise for several years and has become a second mother to Lise’s son (An implied argument can be made that perhaps Emma had been become bored with Adèle but didn’t have a good reason to end it. It is quite possible she cheated on Adèle with Lise. Thus, when Adèle admitted to her infidelity, it gave Emma her out, hence her overly agitated response and her unwillingness to even talk to Adèle; she was projecting).
Emma says that her home life with Lise is intellectually stimulating. Adèle asks about their sex life, and Emma admits it isn’t like the one she had with Adèle. Adèle says it must be boring. Adèle says she misses Emma, that she wants her. Emma says they can’t but Adèle tells her to “touch her” and forces Emma to kiss her. Emma does for a while, but eventually pulls away saying she can’t and tells Adèle that she can’t see her anymore. She has a family now and she can’t risk it.
Adèle asks if Emma still loves her. Emma says that she doesn’t, but she has “infinite tenderness” for Adèle and will for the rest of her life. Adèle, though heartbroken, understands and tells Emma she can leave. They embrace and kiss each other’s cheeks. As Emma leaves, Adèle breaks down.
An unknown amount of time later, Adèle showers up and leaves her apartment to walk a few blocks to an art gallery. It is a showing of Emma’s work and she has been invited. The two old lovers embrace and Adèle thanks her for inviting her. Adèle looks at all the pieces, and is both startled and surprised to learn that she is still a muse for Emma, showing up still even in her new works.
Adèle bumps into Samir, and finds out he got out of acting and is now in real estate. Samir admits that this art gallery isn’t his scene either. As Samir excuses himself to talk to someone, Adèle looks around and realizes a few things. One is that the incompatibility of their intellectual circles and their personal desires for life doomed her and Emma long before infidelity entered the picture. Secondly, that this world of Emma’s isn’t a part of Adèle’s anymore. She and Emma are no longer together. That chapter of her life is closed. As terrifying as it will be, she needs to move on with her life, completely away from Emma.
Without another word to anyone, Adèle leaves the gallery and walks home. Samir notices she is missing and looks outside to find her, but he misses her going around the corner and gives up his search.
We last see Adèle walking down the street towards home. This part of her journey is over and now she must write the next chapter of her life. http://www.themoviespoiler.com/Spoilers/BlueWarmestColor.html
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