Autumn Tale 1999

As 45-year-old widow Magali (Béatrice Romand) immerses herself in her vineyard’s daily routines, she unwittingly becomes entangled in a web of matchmaking schemes orchestrated by her devoted friends Rosine (Alexia Portal) and Isabelle (Marie Rivière). Each woman employs their unique charm to lure unsuspecting suitors into their plans. Rosine uses her youthful allure to capture the attention of Etienne, an older university professor, while Isabelle turns to a dating service, ultimately securing a connection with Gerald, a widower who shares Magali’s passion for wine and life experiences.

As both women navigate the complexities of online dating, they conspire to present Magali as the ultimate prize. Unbeknownst to their target, Rosine’s professor is initially smitten with another youthful admirer from his university, leaving Isabelle free to introduce Magali to Gerald at her daughter’s wedding. The two wine enthusiasts strike an instant bond, sharing stories of their Northern African heritage and winemaking endeavors.

Meanwhile, Isabelle’s daughter’s special day becomes the stage for both couples’ relationships to flourish. However, Rosine’s professor soon finds himself more captivated by another youthful beauty from the school, leaving Magali to confront a disheartening discovery: her friend is having an affair with Gerald, the man she had begun to form a connection with.

As the evening wears on, Magali becomes increasingly despondent and reverts to her antisocial tendencies. Despite her initial reluctance, she finds herself dependent on her friends and their respective partners for a ride home. Unbeknownst to Isabelle and Gerald, Magali has witnessed their tender moment, and her world begins to crumble.

In the aftermath of this revelation, Magali’s argument with Gerald escalates during their ride home, ultimately leading him to abandon her at a remote train station near Orange. After waiting in vain for hours, she decides to take a taxi back to the wedding, hoping her son has returned the family car.

As the night draws to a close, Gerald returns to the wedding, his frustration and disappointment palpable as he confronts Isabelle about his encounter with Magali.

As the threads of intrigue begin to unravel, Isabelle (character) finds herself at the center of a maelstrom of misunderstandings. It transpires that the notion of an illicit tryst between herself and Gerald was nothing short of fanciful, for her heart belongs solely to her husband. The tension dissipates as Magali and Gerald succumb to laughter, their initial deception revealed for what it is - a tangled web of confusion. Undeterred by the previous misstep, they resolve to take another shot at rekindling their connection, this time sans artifice, at Isabelle’s autumnal harvest party later that month. The stage is set for a fresh start, free from the baggage of deceit and uncertainty.