Cross

This is my second attempt to write this essay. I completed a version of it and I thought I’d published it. But when I went to retrieve the URL so I could cross post it to Authory, it wasn’t in my list of posts. I found it in my trash, but when I clicked to restore it, I accidentally hit the delete permanently button. I’m attributing all of this to providence and starting over.

The scene involves a crucifix necklace that Julie wore on the day of the accident, but was thrown several feet from the crash and was found by Antoine. He considered keeping it, but thought that would be stealing, so he made an effort to seek out Julie. I don’t know … in my ethical framework, the act of aggressively seeking out someone to the point that you end up reaching her personal physician seems like a larger interpersonal wrong than keeping the necklace, but that’s just me.

Anyway, Antoine asks Julie if she wants to know anything about that day, and she bluntly answers no, then enters one of her triggered blackouts, complete with the orchestra score. It was kind of Antoine to ask, but he follows it up by volunteering a piece of information about Patrice, the fact that he said the phrase “now try coughing” when he reached the car.

It’s the punchline to a not-great joke, but one that Julie said made them laugh. She recalled that he always repeated punchlines. It’s the first time we see Julie saying anything postive about Patrice, and it feels like a positive development, that perhaps she’s getting over some of her anger. But I have to note, this is the second act of questionable ethics from Antoine in my book. After Julie said she didn’t want to know, I would have shut up about events of the day.

Julie then tells Antoine he can have the necklace, he’s returned it, so now it is his. Perhaps the necklace will have continued meaning for Antoine and this gesture will prove to be important. But for me, this whole scene feels more like plot moving, which is something Kieslowski tends to avoid. Consequently, it’s perhaps my least favorite scene in the film, but one that is thankfully short.