The Girl Cut in Two 2008

In the picturesque city of Lyon, Gabrielle (a radiant young woman) lives with her mother, pursuing a career as a weather presenter at a local television station. Her path crosses with two men from different walks of life: Paul, the spoiled and immature scion of a pharmaceutical empire, and Charles, a renowned writer with a storied reputation, who is twice Gabrielle’s age. Despite their vastly different personalities, both men captivate her attention.

Charles, a sophisticated mentor, awakens Gabrielle to the world of sensual exploration, introducing her to an exclusive sex club in town. As their relationship blossoms, he vanishes on an extended business trip, leaving Gabrielle reeling from the sudden abandonment. Her depression deepens, and her worried mother eventually permits Paul to visit.

Paul, with his lavish lifestyle, whisks Gabrielle away to Lisbon for a romantic getaway, though they maintain separate quarters. During their stay, she agrees to marry him, unaware of the strings attached. His mother, disapproving of their union, insists on a pre-nuptial agreement that strips Gabrielle of her claim to Paul’s family wealth.

As they begin their honeymoon, Gabrielle confesses her past with Charles to Paul, hoping for understanding and empathy. However, this revelation sparks a deadly confrontation at a charity gala hosted by Paul’s mother, where the evening’s principal speaker is none other than Charles himself. In front of Lyon’s elite, Paul takes matters into his own hands, ending Charles’s life.

Condemned to a lenient sentence of seven years in an institution, Paul divorces Gabrielle and leaves her financially ruined. Crushed by her experiences, she returns home to her mother, crippled by the emotional pain that still lingers. In a desperate attempt to find solace, her uncle proposes a solution: joining his cheesy magic show as a sultry performer, where Gabrielle’s anguish is palpable in a heart-wrenching close-up.