Sometimes I miss Blockbuster Video. Not often, but there is something to be said for finding a new film, holding the cassette in your hand, and reading the description on the box. This is how I discovered my favorite French film from its steamy cover and the "restricted" label. The restriction was unnecessary as there is very little skin and no sex involved. But Emmanuelle Beart was as good as the quotes on the cover advertised.
She isn't the star. That would be Stephane, played by popular French actor Daniel Auteuil. He was famous in the 90's for taking ordinary roles and knocking them out of the park. The heart in winter, referred to in the English title, is his. He and his business partner Maxime run a violin repair shop that never hurts for business. He likes to stay busy: work, lunch in cafes, dinner with friends (including long-time friend Helene) squash, and sleep. Music is all he knows and it makes him content.
Camille comes into the picture as Maxime's new girlfriend. He is already married but checked out, so it's not really fair to call Camille a mistress. She's a world-class violinist, taciturn and perfectionist, who also seems uninterested in anything but music. She's in town to record Ravel's Sonatas before going back on tour. It makes sense that she would take her violin to Maxime's shop. Stephane greets her politely and offers his services. Nothing about their first meeting sets off any alarm bells.
One connection they all have in common is Lachaume, a retired music teacher. He had taught all three of them and they are all fond of him - even if the two men recognized their talents were elsewhere. There is a dinner party near the beginning that helps define the characters attitudes towards each other. The sharpness of the conversation is notable - anyone can contribute but anyone can be challenged as well. Stephan mostly stays quiet, which they come to expect. When he does speak, it reveals a lot about his mindset and his failed attempt at apathy. He cares all right.
The rehearsals start. There are a few scenes showing Beart playing, both solo and with her colleagues, that are just mesmerizing to watch. While almost anyone would enjoy watching a beautiful woman play beautiful music, it goes deeper with Stephane. He has to deal with the possibility that he wants more from life. And it also means that ignoring Camille is no longer an option. Especially since he is still responsible for her violin and would do anything to improve its performance. Both of them value music over emotion.
Stephane drops in on a live recording of the Sonatas. Maxime is either clueless or overly trusting, hard to say, as he is making long-term plans with Camillie. Stephane and Camille meet for a drink during one of her breaks and the intimacy of their short conversation is palpable. They have reached a point of no return, and she finally lets Maxime know what she's thinking. Nothing has happened yet, but she needs to know if it could.
Stephane responds by avoiding her as much as possible, which only makes things worse. When he shows up for her final performance, at Maxime's request, she is swept away with a newfound passion. She bails on a lavish post-party to be alone with Stephane. He isn't stupid, but he still hasn't figured out what to do about her advances. When the time comes, he responds in the worst possible way. This particular scene might be the most painful I have ever seen on screen. Her reaction is restrained as she and other characters cannot imagine what Stephane is thinking. Even Maxime, who has been unbelievably understanding of his friend, has had it.
The rest of the film shows Camille's breakdown and Stephane's withdrawal from his comfortable life. She's angry, but not insane, and later backs away from her hurtful comments. The final conversations between them are short, but very meaningful. In their final meeting, she kisses him goodbye, which she hadn't done the entire film. It's a fitting end, she has moved on, although she will never be the same. And Stephane will continue living in winter.