My Afternoons with Margueritte 2011

Germain is a 45-year-old handyman who struggles with illiteracy. Through flashbacks, we see him as a child facing bullying at school for his slow reading abilities, enduring unkindness from both peers and teachers. His mother, who provides little warmth, often reminds him of his clumsiness while also defending him against her abusive boyfriends. **Despite his hardships, Germain remains a loyal and kind-hearted man, albeit with low self-esteem. He resides in a trailer next to his mother’s home, nurturing a vegetable garden that he sells at the local farmers’ market, often relying on a borrowed truck from the bar where he enjoys spending time with friends. Germain’s girlfriend, Annette, is a younger bus driver who genuinely loves his sweet and simple nature.

One day, Germain encounters Margueritte, a gentle 95-year-old woman who shares his bench to feed pigeons. Over time, he learns to recognize and even name the 19 birds that often visit. Margueritte, an educated former scientist with the World Health Organization, introduces him to literature, starting with a passage from The Plague by Albert Camus. Even though Germain struggles with reading, Margueritte reads aloud to him, captivating him with the beauty and depth of words. Their daily reading sessions not only foster a budding friendship but also ignite Germain’s imagination as he absorbs the philosophical insights Camus imparts.

Margueritte eventually gifts Germain her old dictionary to help him expand his vocabulary. However, his difficulties with spelling make this a frustrating endeavor, and he contemplates returning it when she invites him for tea. During their meeting, Margueritte reveals her declining eyesight and her need for assistance in the near future. Moved by her circumstances, Germain resolves to learn how to read well enough to share stories with her. With Annette’s encouragement, he diligently practices until he can read a story aloud to Margueritte.

Tragedy strikes when Germain discovers his mother’s lifeless body at home, sending him into deep despair. At the notary’s office, he uncovers a shocking revelation: his mother owned her house, a fact he’d never known, and had accumulated a significant fortune through careful saving, intending it to bequeath to him. Simultaneously, Annette shares that she is expecting, prompting Germain to confront his fears about fatherhood, believing he lacks the means to provide. Annette reassures him, emphasizing that love is what truly matters.

As Margueritte is forced to leave her retirement home for a lesser facility, she entrusts her cherished dictionary to Germain. Determined to support her, he tracks her down and invites her to live with him in his mother’s house. Upon their return, Germain reads a heartfelt poem he wrote just for her, solidifying the profound connection they have developed through their shared love of literature.